Union Peak
We finally made it to Union Peak on the north end of the Wind River Range. It’s Wayne’s third attempt and my second. Improved sledneck skills and Wayne’s unreasonable optimism finally set us at the base of Union Peak.
We probably got stuck a total of 10 times and were basically lost until we made it. At one point Wayne and James had to leave us and go route finding in the woods for about an hour. At that point it was already 3pm. While Pascal, Bob, Laurel and I were sitting there, a Slednecker came out of the woods and told us he’d been “riding there for years and we’d never make it. You’re 2 hours away. You should see your friends shortly.” That sent Bob and Laurel back down to kite on Union Pass which was open and windy with great snow anyway. Just not the 11,500ft mountain we'd been looking for. Pascal and I sat there ready to follow Bob and Laurel when James and Wayne came back with a route and a photo to prove it. Pascal and I reluctantly followed their trail through the woods and Boom there it was! 15 minutes further and 2 more times getting stuck and we were there. With the good wind and snow we stuck it with beautiful evening session! Cheers! – Will

Way Cool!

Wow, awesome! Was it Bob and Laurel from Montana? They're everywhere!

Looks Sick!! A hell of alot better then the field I have been kiting here in RI.... Lucky you guys

The expedition !

Sweet!

Perseverance!!!!

Really nice high aspect perspective pics of the others.....I'd bet the pics don't do justice to the vastness of the place. Looks incredible!

I'm gonna be down on Togwotee for Scrubfest Feb 25th-27th. http://splitboard.com/talk/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=9096

Just been eyeing approaches & beta on Buffalo Plateau and kiting that. Definitely bringing the bile to shorten the approach. Have you boys ever been up there? Any desire to go? Its the same weekend as snowkite soldier so I was guessing you guys may be headed there instead but.....

I'll hit up the Buffalo Plateau with you if it looks good. Been up there 2 times. It requires good off trail sled skills for 2hrs and a 1.5hr skin to get to the goods. I want to spend 2 days out there to make it to Younts peak. That looks like the best hill climbing and Gliding. The second time we were up there I slipped off a steep slope and was forced into a massive glide. I had to fly across a valley and land on this ridge where we'd never been before. It was a super panic feeling as I was skidding out of control down that bottomless slope with my kite pointed down, but once I flew away it got nice and quiet and I could see all the cliffs I was trying to look over. Top down exploring can be sketchy!

Exactly what I had in mind. Figured to use this trip as a scouting mission & if all the puzzle pieces fit - shoot for maybe April/early May overnight shot.


Holy shit - some of those places up in that country are definitely - um - precipitous

Anyhow - if theres kiters that don't go to Idaho that weekend - love to hook up w/you guys. If Buff. Plateau doesn't work - it doesn't work but....