Maui to Montana

noah · Since 19 Oct 2006 173 Posts Bozeman, Montana Stoked

I’ve had a really fortunate run lately: Last week I was hitting ramps and sliding down waves on the North Shore. Yesterday I was hitting wind lips and boosting big in the Big Hole. And, to top it off, I did something yesterday I have not done in something like seven, eight years; I pumped up a kite on the snow. More on that revelation in a moment…

After two weeks of trade winds on Maui, even kiting some Kona wind on the S side, I made my way back home: Montana. Yes, I’m glad to be back. I missed our mountains. There is really nothing like flying off ‘em under a kite. Yes, waves are sick. It’s like two different drugs; the receptors are similar, but different. And the high is equally different, take what you can get is what I say...

Anyway, within 24 hours of touching down in Montana I am drawn back to Mount Haggin. It’s Saturday, are there are no other kiters around. Nope, not one!? Really? What’s up with that?

Anyway, 11 a.m., and not a breath of wind. So I take my time and within and 20 minutes I can feel the first few wisps of fresh coming from the SW. I boot up and soon it’s full on, breezy 13m and building to rock solid 13/11 all day long!

Snowpack at Haggin is superb. FYI: We’ll be able to kite there into April, maybe May. Saturday started out hard. Typical Spring conditions and, chasing the sun, I harvested corn all the way to sunset. No insulation needed, a shell and you are good to go!

OK, here’s the confession: I have not pumped up a kite on the snow since spring of ’04. So, yesterday, after four hours of ripping around on my 13 Frenzy Ultralite, I took a break and said, “What the Hell”. I pumped up my 13m Ozone Edge and did a little comparison session.

Bottom line: 20%. Twenty percent bigger air, 20% more hang time, 20% faster, 20% more vert pop. Twenty percent slower from zero to ten mph. Yes, the Frenzy was faster at the bottom end. The Edge was slower to build speed at the lowest mph. That was when the Ultralite could accelerate from zero mph to 10 – 15 mph almost instantly. Admittedly, I need to give the Edge a few more days to really say anything more. Oh yeah, the Frenzy was 40% faster from bag to flight. That’s nice!

Really, it’s all good. Kiting is kiting and beyond that nothing else matters… I’m so glad to be chasing it once again in the Rockin’ Rockies.
Downside: No flip flops or bikinis.

See ya our there,

Noah

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2623 Posts The 503 METAL

Nice one Noah! Yeah a few years ago, most snow kite venues were dominated with foils - now not so much...at least the ones you can drive a car to.

When's the last time you strapped on a snow board? Next time! Thumb's Up

noah · Since 19 Oct 2006 173 Posts Bozeman, Montana Stoked

Snowboard? Let's see, that would have been the mid-80s. That was when they were still banned at Bridger Bowl and I had to hike after hours to get rides.

Needless to say, I should give snowboards a try under the power of a kite!

Wanna-Go · Since 14 Sep 2009 95 Posts Central, Wa

I must have seen you out in Maui. Seen a Ozone out there. I was there 2/28-3/10.

J_Matic · Since 14 Oct 2011 158 Posts InDaHo Stoked

Nice write-up Noah, you put the reader right there with ya. Very cool man.

To Slither's note, it is pretty crazy strapping on a sideways slider after skiing solely under a kite in winter for 5 years. It was awkward and goofy at first and then, click it was just like sessioning waves at manzo only firmer and with more pop on the quartered up cornices.

Boarded 3 days in a row and don't plan on looking at my ski's again till next season.

bustingbladder · Since 12 Jul 2006 387 Posts Seattle Obsessed

Cool man! Appreciated that whole low down. Lofty eh? Thumb's Up

Nak · Mon Mar 12, 12 2:11 pm **Re: Maui to Montana**

Great pics!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

sweet shots Thumb's Up

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

You must travel with your own personal proffessional photographer! Say that fast three times.

noah · Since 19 Oct 2006 173 Posts Bozeman, Montana Stoked

My "personal professional photographer" is a point-n-shoot laying on the snow and set on self-timer.

My experience is that "even a blind dog finds a bone" and some days are better than others using this photo technique.