Heading to Vegas... Maybe Mojave?

[Weston Youd]

I'm heading back to Las Vegas and was thinking of running down to Lake Mead or possibly Lake Mojave to try and get some kiting in. I don't have anything scheduled for Monday the 8th of Dec. so I'm hope I'll have some wind. In doing some research though I'm getting some conflicting info, so I figure I'd post here and get the Utah take on these two areas.
1. My quiver is limited to my 13M bularoo, so does this fit with the conditions I can expect this time of year?
2. I kind of know where Cabin Site is, but was wondering if this is a good kite launch for an experienced challenged person like myself?
3. Does Lake Mead have anything to offer, particularly around the Las Vegas Boat Harbor area?
4. I'm pretty sure that a wetsuit is in order, but will it be more drysuit conditions during this time?
5. What other tips should I know before trying to get a Dec. session in these areas?

Thanks to all.
Stoney

[Kenny]

Weston,

I suggest that you go back and hunt through the archive for some answers.

I will try to help, but my riding is limited in the Vegas area. You may wish to send a PM to Windzup as Brian and Heather are from the Vegas area.

1. If you are going to have only 1 kite, a 13M Bularoo is a good bet. However, you should know that wind rarely cooperates. You might be just fine and ride the whole time on the 13M or spend your time wishing you had a smaller or larger kite. I have traveled with one kite, but I prefer to take 3 or 4.
2. I am not familiar with cabin site.
3. Lake Mead can be good, but it is not as consistent as Mojave and the wind is usually more gusty.
4. You are good with just a wetsuit.
5. Do some more research and talk to some riders that kite there frequently. Look at the windlog and send PM's.

Kenny

[Weston Youd]

Thanks Kenny,

I'm taking your advice. I think I can go far with it.

Weston

[hangs by lines]

Weather has been warmer this year so perhaps your wetsuit will be fine depending on mm. I often wear hood, gloves and full winter gear there and many times hands still get frozen and middle of winter kiting is extreme at times depending on air temps even with a drysuit and extremely rare to see other kiters. Water temps mid winter were in the 40's there last winter and took a long time to warm this year.

*Cabinsite SUCKS for launching and landing due to cliffs upwind creating very shifty winds and also the fact that the beach is covered in boulders and the slightest mishap could really mess you up badly. It is also extremely sketchy for a self launch and a drift launch would suck also due to proximity to land on other side and spotty gusty winds near cove.

***If you do launch at Cabinsite go to Southwestern most point, walk way out in water to the West and be ready for anything when assistant releases your kite. *Lines get easily snagged there as well so obviously be sure your clear.

**Best launch but still sketchy is the very "FAR West end of S Telephone" cove but GET OUT of the posted "No Boats -- Swim Area Only" IMMEDIATELY or risk a very hefty fine $$$ as NPS Rangers do come by frequently.*Winds are dead onshore there and gusty as well until out in the channel. Even in the channel it is always a much gustier place to ride than Mohave's South winds as even on the good days you get these big gusts coming down the channel like a freight train.

There is a lot of steep cliffs downwind in channel so it would be really tough to self rescue and get up on land quickly should something unexpected happen. The secret is get upwind fast so you could catch flat land if necessary before you drift into the cliff zone.

This info will help you a ton but most important is get out of swim area ASAP and be careful and ready for extended times in the cold water and long hikes should the unexpected happen. This area is definitely an area where you don't want to bring anyone who does not have very dialed in skills and fast reflexes as you will need to be ready for anything due to reasons mentioned above.

I highly advise hiding valuables well in car as nearby Bullhead City has a ton of meth and crack heads looking for a free fix and you do see broken glass where others have been robbed and safest is if you have someone else there watching car.

A 13 would obviously be fine when its lighter (very beginning and end of a H pressure or possibly end of the day) but often find my 7 or 10 to be much more used. You would likely be better off at 6 mile on the nuking days at Katherines as winds are lighter upwind.

Mead is way hit and miss w/ N winds as it may be 5 to 15 at Mead and 30 to 40+ at Katherine's and have many times seen whiteouts at Katherine's so please be careful.

Now and then you will see a few windsurfers *usually nice husband wife of Team San Diego in white Van and now and then Karl n a few others but mostly on weekends.

Thanksgiving is the most populated time of the season thanks to Team Utah! *It's nice to have friendly people around and does add to safety.

Happy Thanksgiving and may see you guys down there this weekend if ribs start feeling better and this rain backs off.

[tjacques]

nice post, HBL!!!