knewschool
Since 23 Dec 2010
61 Posts
Wyoming
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 Sun Jan 05, 14 7:36 am Grading Snowkiting for Difficulty Concept...Feedback! |
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https://vimeo.com/82417048
1 to 6 concept is simple… 1 is easy and 6 is impossible…that’s all you really need to know to use it. Many of you can stop reading here, but enthusiasts, intermediate and experts should scrutinize this and consider using it.
Snowkite Terrain Scale of Difficulty Grades 1 to 6 Universal Concept Final Draft:
This concept embodies the main focus of the Bighorn Snowkite Summit which was protecting our areas access, and promoting safe practices. This scale is intended to help a Snowkiter to know his own skills and appropriately challenge himself without getting in over his head. Hopefully this will help our snowkiting community guide people to the right conditions and terrain for their ability.
The 1 to 6 scale defines snowkite terrain with a fair and comprehensive system that is understandable without regard to a person’s language or knowledge of the sport. After considering many scales (e.g. skiing, paragliding, whitewater kayak, etc.) we believe the 1 to 6 grading system will function well and has universal appeal to snowkiting communities around the world.
Let’s get on board for this concept as a community of snowkiters to help define conditions. The grading has 2 facets, the Fundamental Rating which is fixed and objective and the Practical Rating which varies depending on conditions.
Fundamental Rating
The Fundamental Ratings is terrain based, disregards wind and snow conditions and is reflective of ideal conditions. This would be the definite rating of an area and might be printed in guidebooks. Bondurant is class 3 for example. A spot is never easier than its fundamental rating.
The reason we don’t want conditions to affect the Fundamental Rating is because the variables are too broad. You should always be seeking ideal conditions for each area and especially for Class 3 and up.
Under this grading system the most difficult route possible is 5+. If someone manages to kite up class 6 such as a vertical rock wall it is still class 6. It is not downgraded to class 5+. Because uncontrolled flight and mishaps in the air present significant danger, all grades assume that kiters will not jump, fly, or glide any higher than they can safely fall.
Practical Rating
Forecasting of wind and snow conditions is included with the Practical Rating. This uses the same 1 to 6 scale but includes snow, wind, or any factor relating to conditions and is temporal. For example “tomorrow that class 1 area will be Class 3+ with that forecast, so it will not be ideal for learning to snowkite, but a class 3 kiter might have fun.” The rating can move up in difficulty due to conditions such as deep snow, wind ridges, icy crust, gusty wind or anything that adds difficulty. When it comes to conditions that are impossible to snowkite it becomes class 6. This is a community based scale and up to you to judge conditions. A more experienced snowkiter will generally provide better ratings. The practical rating is never less than the Fundamental Rating.
We believe as long as we keep the Fundamental Rating grounded; the Practical Rating will grow as we use it in our “snowkite Language” and become conveniently useful.
So let’s keep the Fundamentals simple and grounded:
Class 1 is the ideal surface on which to learn. Flat hardpack or shallow powder that is fast and easy to walk in with no obstacles. Minimal maneuvering is required to navigate the terrain. The consequences of kiter mistakes are not increased by the terrain.
Class 2 has some obstacles, small rolls in terrain and might have deep powder, and/or icy crusty snow. The ability to maneuver around the terrain is required.
Class 3 has large-scale terrain features, a number of obstacles, large wind shadows, deep powder and/or icy crusty snow. More advanced maneuvering techniques are required for effectively navigating the terrain, and the ability to ski or ride on terrain without unintentionally leaving the ground is important.
Class 4 has larger scale terrain features with some technical moves around obstacles, strong wind shadows, and greater consequences to mistakes. Understanding lift, avalanches, and the risks associated with remoteness are essential skills for this terrain.
Class 5 is the highest level of extreme terrain because the consequences of kiter mistakes and mishaps are considerable and include hazard to life. Terrain is very steep with many obstacles that kiters are forced to navigate. Extreme remoteness and technical launches and landings are frequent.
Class 6 is terrain that cannot safely be kited, it is beyond the scope of snowkiting.
Here’s a practical example:
How hard is Bondurant snowkite area here in Wyoming? It is fundamentally class 3 by definition. How will it be tomorrow with the SW storm wind and whiteout forecasted? It could be 3+ or 4- for the day. That is because the wind is the wrong direction and the snow cover isn’t great. It will be pushing your limits as a class 3 snowkiter and over your head as a 2. If you wait for ideal NW blue sky conditions with proper coverage you will have the best day possible for a class 3 snowkiter and be properly pushing your limits as a strong class 2.
An area can have more than one Fundamental Rating, but you must think to yourself ‘what level of kiter is this area truly suited for?’ Bondurant does have some class 2 terrain, but it simply isn’t suited for class 2 snowkiters. They will have a frustrating day and need to walk back to the car. Skyline for example has Fundamental class 1+ and 2, with 3 on the hills around the edges. It is a good place to teach snowkiting with ideal conditions.
It is up to local snowkiters to consider the difficulty of their terrain and conditions then present them to fellow snowkiters. Please try to keep the Fundamental scale true. You don’t want to say you have a class 3 spot because it’s always gusty class 3 conditions. You’ll have to say this is class 1 terrain, but always gusty class 3 conditions at best. This is a case where we bend the rules of the Fundamental Rating reflecting “ideal conditions.” If someone seeks out class 3 snowkiting, they should be seeking the terrain not the gusty wind. Class 4 conditions on a class 1 surface might be an epic powered session on flats, but it is distinctly different than a class 4 spot with class 4 conditions.
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