Fun with Bend Snow Kite Crew - I saw turtles

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Exciting New Years Day with Mit and Daryl Thumb's Up

of the Bend Snowkite Crew. Tumbleweeds blowing across 97, swinging traffic lights and a few downed Ponderosa pines might have dissuaded those with better cognitive skills...

After a 5 mile approach - the kite spot was a bit of a white out with challenging crusted over snow - bout 200 yrd viz but the wind didn't seem insane - the spot, pieced together in my head in 200yrd increments did seem like it would be awesome.

pumped up the 5m waroo - it did unnatural things - tortured by a higher power and then it fell out of the sky (we put it away before it killed anybody)

Since we were out there and had the B3 stashed in the boat - figured we toss that up for shits and giggles - did make sure to launch downwind of the sleds

flew it for a bit and bounced off the ground a few times (gusting 50?)
then it went to zero and fell out of the sky - as it floated to earth gave it some sk8 kite magic and relaunched it (this was really really stupid)

as the b3 rocketed me off the ground (crying uncle) i let go of the bar

the biggest mistake was clipping my safety leash to an outside line -my homemade bar had no Oshit loops - the consequences of this move became clear rather quickly as the looping b3 of death dragged me ass backwards through ice crust and snow

was a bit amused as snow shot up my pants and my bare butt dragged on the ice was able to roll on to my stomach and grab the release on the leash

sadly it stuck

3 seconds 100yrds later and accelerating away ala Kevin Kearney - I felt bad for Tim and Daryl who would have to deal with carcass removal, authorities and just an overall bad scene

then it released

tweaked my shoulder but nothing too bad - may wait for blue skies and 11m for next snow kite adventure

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

funny story! Laughing

0g50 =

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Jan 02, 09 5:38 pm

Still sounds easier than water starting. Rolling Eyes

Ike · Since 12 Mar 2008 216 Posts Central Oregon Stoked

Yeah, I was thinking of doing some land boarding in Redmond until driving through my neighborhood and saw several juniper trees torn apart and blown down. Crazy gusts the last couple days.

Nak · Fri Jan 02, 09 7:31 pm

Crap!!

Glad you're OK Gman. How long till you're out on the water?

Sol-flyer · Sat Jan 03, 09 9:12 am

you crazy mo'fo Razz

glad to hear your ok, don'cha jus love the foils for there depower abilty Razz

So i got a question, did you guys come in on a road? what happened on the way out that made you get lost?

I've been hold'n up on getting a GPS, mainly i've only been a few miles in and always had a highly visible road to get out on. It must have been a major whiteout....so what the hell where you guys thinkin? I almost jumped in the car and went up there to ride,...glad i didnt Wink

take care bud, no more insane winter storms

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Sounds like another Gman adventure!

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

- may wait for blue skies and 11m for next snow kite adventure[/quote]

good moral of story Laughing

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

Seeing Dolphins today?! Hope they turn it around....

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Boooo

fun while it lasted...