Bighorns not Teahupoo!

knewschool · Since 23 Dec 2010 61 Posts Wyoming

Strong wind and Steep slopes made for an interesting adventure up at the bighorns Thursday and Friday. Clint and I busted a quick minivan mission hoping for lighter winds Thursday then stronger winds on Friday. Turns out both days were strong.

We actually started at Medicine Mountain. After riding there with SSW we decided to go for more snow coverage at Mount Baldy. Clint took his sled over and I kited. The kite would have been more fun with less wind, I got close to some trees and some power lines. I think I heard the lines didn’t have power running through them, but as soon as I got to that ridge with the NOAA ball on it I was so overpowered it sucked. I just sucked it up and kept going to make it down the ridge to the sled trail. Then a 2 mile tack to the right and you’re at the sweet spot.

That afternoon I was reminded that if you’re powered enough, and winds blowing straight up a nearly vertical slope…you may have to fly like it or not.

I was overpowered on my Ozone Edge 13 and it was easy to go up the slope. I could pull my bar in and go right up, but when I had to avoid going over the back and stop short of the top I naturally turned my kite to the edge of the wind window. On that steep slope I just slid down the slope so fast that I was under my kite with speed. One side was rock the other fell out from under me. It was basically an unavoidable launch for me. I flew off overpowered. With a shaka’s worth of depower and my bar pined against the stopper I carefully flew across the slope as slow and easy as I could. Flying so depowered my kite it wobbled extra funny in the gusts. I managed to fly to the edge of the slope and turn into the wind where the hill was less steep and I just sank out with no ground speed. I never really went super high, but I did have some big terrain features pass by underneath. Ultimately getting blown over the back of something like that is mind boggling. I see that video of Alex Petersen soaring on that bluff in California on youtube and I can’t believe it.

Anyway, the second day I came prepared with my Ozone C4 9m and had a well powered session. I even practiced some jibbing and powered loops to get my water feet back under me. Clint was doing a great job and being in the right spot while I was snapping some pictures, looks like he’s getting tubed at Teahupo’o… it gets steep up there!
It’s getting so warm everywhere there’s not much time left, but I do see one more storm lining up next week!

Cheers,
Will Taggart

lewmt · Since 04 Aug 2010 182 Posts MT Stoked

Holy balls! No sluffs in those features? Kinda freaky terrain trap potential riding below those lips. They look so sweet though - way to get after it.

Damn - you rode medecine out to Baldy? That's gettng after it. We watched from Baldy - a slide go off the ridge of Med. - just 2 weeks ago - just east of the radar ball.

The Bighorns just have some kind of magic in them. The Wed./Thur setup looks epic. Already 5-6" up there. You may want to take chains if you go - def. 4wd they don't plow that usually until Fridays, could be impossible to get to the parking lot.

bustingbladder · Since 12 Jul 2006 387 Posts Seattle Obsessed

Sweet write-up Will! Thanks for sharing the stoke! Love the second picture of the kick ass loop! Beats the shit out of slider shots anyday! Thumb's Up

shymac · Since 20 Jul 2005 919 Posts Home Valley, Wa. Bigfoot

I like those features! Way to get after it while everyone is over it... HA!

dpow · Since 13 May 2011 83 Posts Seattle, WA

jealous!

Bettyboarder · Tue Mar 20, 12 9:17 am

That place looks sick. Love that second picture!

Onad · Tue Mar 20, 12 2:27 pm

Whaaoo Fricking awesome terrain and riding!

knewschool · Since 23 Dec 2010 61 Posts Wyoming

Thanks Guys! It was an amazing day that's for sure.

Lewmt, it was admittedly a little dagerous under some of those cornices for sure. We rode around and checked the likely to slide slopes. I tried to slide some of the steeps down that were in the prime sun-softening spots. It was feeling pretty stable and we had so much power it felt like you could pull ourself out from under a semi so we went for it!

Cheers!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Impressive Thumb's Up

be safe out there!

lewmt · Since 04 Aug 2010 182 Posts MT Stoked

Glad you checked stability. That same deep facety crap that's bothering most of our mtn ranges is up there in the biggies also. You guys are putting out such great stoke - I'd hate to see something happen. I hope we never have to do a Steve Romeo discussion on the kite forums.

How was the Tuesday ride...snotel spoke of 10" up there? I was sick that I'd burned all my hall passes over the weekend

KP · Since 05 Apr 2011 23 Posts

I wonder if you guys could learn a lot by doing some paragliding? Maybe a tandem soaring flight if you can get it.
When ridges produce lift,(straighter on the more lift, more angle less lift) when there might be thermals lifting off,(rare in winter) and maybe most important understanding the rotor behind everything in the lee of the wind, trees, ridges, etc. And when that rotor could be mellow and when it could be deadly.
Just a thought, hoping you guys ride and fly safe.
And this gear is not designed for flying loads, if it broke it was only going to drop you in water.

J_Matic · Since 14 Oct 2011 158 Posts InDaHo Stoked

Nothing like an anonymous kook with 9 posts telling the WY STOKE crew how to do what they're obviously doing very well. A bit presumptuous of you, most of those guys are paragliders too.

If Monkey was around he'd reach through your screen and bitch-slap you.

waynepjh · Since 27 Jul 2008 212 Posts jackson wy Stoked

I have been a paraglider pilot for over 15 years. That helps me to understand flying with kites. A water kite can fly right through rotor! Not recommended but have done and seen it before. Flying with kites is dangerous! Dont do it!

dpow · Since 13 May 2011 83 Posts Seattle, WA

When is the road Over the pass going to be open? Any guesses? I can't wait to park and ride baldy like in the fall.

Assuming there is enough snow this spring. Looks like it Though.

waynepjh · Since 27 Jul 2008 212 Posts jackson wy Stoked

Better get there soon! U can walk to baldy its not that far. We just got back yesterday and snow is going fast. Almost 60 degrees at the lot and over 70 down low. Video and pics coming soon!

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Mar 23, 12 8:53 am

Epic pictures. That flying shit looks scary as hell to me. Fun, but uber scarry.

Nak · Fri Mar 23, 12 9:23 am

Thanks for sharing these amazing pics!!

Way to get after it. I am so jealous!