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SW Colorado Snowkite Conditions

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matthepp
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SW Colorado Snowkite Conditions

Postby matthepp » Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:01 am

Well, December is here. And finally some wind has arrived, but the snow is lean (so far). Please post if areas are coming in this neck of the woods. Here's what I've found so far:

Lizard Head is good-enough to go. A reasonable base in between the booshes. Make sure to clear the little creek in the middle or you'll be kitesurfing. I got in a nice sunny 15 mile day yesterday.

Red Mountain Pass above treeline is scoured, baked, and way too bony.

Crystal Lake at Ironton is frozen solid and fast with mixed ice/snow surface. It should be great if we get a few inches.

Think snow!

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Re: SW Colorado Snowkite Conditions

Postby coleman » Thu Dec 08, 2011 10:29 pm

hey man,
been kitesurfing for years but now want to try snow kiting. I am planning a yearly trip up to my mother's home which is adjacent to the RRL ranch. was planning on just kiting out on the mesa there but hear red mtn is amazing. is that an area that is not so suitable for someone who is new to the snow side of the sport?

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matthepp
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Re: SW Colorado Snowkite Conditions

Postby matthepp » Fri Dec 09, 2011 3:15 am

Coleman,
I've been looking at that terrain on Dbl RL right at Dallas Divide forever. It's always windy right there. Call me when you're in town. You'll pick up snowkiting easy, but to head up above treeline on RMP you ought to be avy/ backcountry savvy. I'm stoked on Crystal Lake near Ironton. Great place to learn. Today there were 6" of nice pow in the ice. Matt 970-318-1469

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Re: SW Colorado Snowkite Conditions

Postby coleman » Fri Dec 09, 2011 3:06 pm

hey matt, thanks for the reply. I am going to give it a shot on this mesa at my moms place. She lives back off last dollar rd.

is it better to start with skis or a board?

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matthepp
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Re: SW Colorado Snowkite Conditions

Postby matthepp » Fri Dec 09, 2011 4:23 pm

Coleman,
You can use either (whatever you are most proficient with) but skis will allow you to jockey around easier to set up, launch, etc. Use older kites if you have em, cause they can get worked if the snow cover is less than desired. My hunch is that the wind could be nice on SW to N. I'd love to come out and ride with you there. I'm around til X-mas eve then gone for the holidays.
Cheers-

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Re: SW Colorado Snowkite Conditions

Postby coleman » Fri Dec 09, 2011 5:26 pm

sounds great matt, I'll be there in mid january for about 10 days. snow should be great by then. yeah man, this mesa is wide open back there and plenty spacious. would be great to hook up and ride with you.
I will probably go the ski route to start as it seems more user friendly being able to get in and out of the bindings.
what size kites do i need, right now i have a 9m and 12m blade triggers. they are new so hopefully they dont get all torn up. i tend to be pretty conservative in riding, small jumps and carving around. usually i dont drop my kites much.

what can you tell me about the wind ranges?

thanks and looking forward to it!
C

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matthepp
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Re: SW Colorado Snowkite Conditions

Postby matthepp » Sat Dec 10, 2011 12:30 am

A 12m and 9m should be perfect. That's all I ride, usually the 12. The forecasting is the tricky part. You might want to set up a custom windguru forecast right at your spot, and check out the CAIC weather station observations. It seems that the sunnier days right before/after a snowstorm day tend to be the most enjoyable.
Hasta,

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Re: SW Colorado Snowkite Conditions

Postby Pinstripe » Sun Dec 11, 2011 7:28 pm

Has the snow gotten any better on Lizard Head Pass? I got a friend in town for the week and he is dying to snowkite. He is new to snow, but experienced on the water. RMP would be a bit of a challenge for him. Any chance of getting any riding in up in your neck of the woods? It's dry over here in Durango. Thinking about headed over to Creede, but still unsure of the conditions over there too.
Thanks


Matt

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matthepp
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Re: SW Colorado Snowkite Conditions

Postby matthepp » Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:34 pm

Matt,
I think Monday afternoon will be okay, maybe south winds. LH has enough snow, just stay clear of the bushes and other non-covered items. I'll either be there or Ironton. Give me a shout if you like.
Have fun, Matt

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Re: SW Colorado Snowkite Conditions

Postby tommygun » Mon Dec 12, 2011 4:07 pm

Seven kiters skinned up on Red Mtn Pass on Sunday. Winds were very light and only half the group were able to climb out from down low and get up towards McMillian Peak. Wind were better up there but still light! South/South East winds didn't help any. The snow was really good in places and powder turns were had for all that made it up high! Should be really good after the next storm! tommygun


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