2/5 Camas, ID 14M Outlaw

[Kenny]

This was my first time to visit the Camas area (located about 75 minutes from Boise). I was blown away by the size of the place. Think of Strawberry x 100. Imagine doing a downwinder from Park City to Strawberry, the riding area is absolutely huge. The terrain is similar to Strawberry, miles of rolling, tree-less hills with larger peaks in the distance. Huge, open snow-covered fields. However, some of the hillls are bigger, you can ride hills that are over 1,500 vertical feet. The other cool feature is that this area was in the distant past a hot spot for volcanic activity. The hot spot has shifted to the present-day Yellowstone National Park. The remant of the volcanic activity is cool volcanic rock formations. The scenary like our best riding spots is stunning. Snow coverage is similar to Strawberry.

I hired a local guide, Monty Goldman owner of Snowkite Soldier. You may wonder why an experienced kiter would hire a local guide. Well, I used to fly-fish and I learned that you can waste a lot of time trying to figure out the local conditions or you can spend some bucks and get to the best spots. When I looked at a map and saw the vast terrain, I decided that it would be worth my while. I can tell you that it was money well-spent. Monty took me to a gliding hill that was awesome. It was tricky to ride with a wind-shadow at the bottom of the hill and insanely strong winds at the top, but I did ask him to take me to a cool gliding location and he warned me that it would be tricky, yet worthwhile. I started the session off making a fool of myself. I had a twist in the bridle and had to land the kite. As I was walking to the kite. A gust ripped the kite out of my gloves. Fortunately, Monty was right there and grabbed my kite. I haven't done that in awhile, felt stupid. Got the kite figured out and we rode there most of the afternoon. It was cool, the ridge was big with some brush and some volcanic rock at the top. However, I made the mistake of riding to the very top and the wind was so strong that I had to down my kite. Fortunately, I was able to just pack up the kite and ski back to the launch area. The rest of the afternoon, I stayed lower on the hill. The wind began to shift around 5 PM which made gliding tough. Late in the day, went to a wide open area that had a 1/2 mile long cornice that is about 15 feet high and some cool little hills and rode until dark. The wind was out of the SE that day, which like here is not the predominant wind direction.

This is an area that I recommend to everyone to check it out. Beginners can take lessons and/or do long downwinders. The area is more exposed than Strawberry, so you can ride from all wind directions, high pressure is the only thing that can ruin the party. However, Sun Valley is just down the road, so you can always go there if the wind is shutdown completely. Best time to go is January - March.

[KyrkWright]

Kenny,
Glad to hear you had fun. I must have jinxed you with my kitemare story last week!
Kyrk

[Marty Lowe]

Snowkite Soldier Feb 20-22

http://web.mac.com/downwind/iWeb/Site%2 ... %2709.html

-Marty