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Back to Back – Gravelly Range & Centennial Range, Montana

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Noahpz
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Style: Big mtn snowkiting w/ lots of freestyle
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Back to Back – Gravelly Range & Centennial Range, Montana

Postby Noahpz » Wed Mar 26, 2014 3:05 am

Back to Back Days – Gravelly Range & Centennial Range, Montana

Of the many snow kite spots that I have visited in the last dozen years, I got to return to two of my favorites during back to back days last week. Both spots offer superb mountain terrain, a clean fetch, abundant snow and immense solitude.

The first involves a 21 mile snowmobile ride to the top of the south end of the Gravelly Range. Once there, Cale Benson, Julian Holland and I immediately proceeded to the flanks of the 10,275 foot tall Big Horn Mountain. That day the winds were the opposite of the normal prevailing direction. Having a light northerly provide perfect gliding and riding along Big Horn’s long wind lip and hillsides. It was my kite partners’ first trip to this spot and both were blown away at the vastness of the Gravellys.

After a session on Big Horn we toured on our sleds to nearby Monument Ridge for a view of the Snowcrests to the west. From there we headed south, past Black Butte, to the headwaters of the Elk River. There we pulled off a short session with our big kites before we boondocked our way back to the trailhead. Unfortunately for Cale, it was to be his last ride on that sled for a while. Five miles from the truck, his engine seized. Julian gave him a tow back to the trailer. Backcountry kiting is a team sport. Having an able partner is essential.

The next day it was Julian and my day to hit up the Centennials, specifically the 9,688 foot high Sheep Mountain. I’ve made my way to Sheep a few times before and every time is different. This day again had a northerly wind that funneled around the mountain giving us a north fetch in some areas and a west wind in other spots. Lacking was the classic southerly that makes Sheep such an amazing kite spot. Oh well. We made the best of the day and rode hard and long. It is a fantastic kite spot and one that always amazes me by its long distance views. Even if one is not boosting high and hitting the many terrain features, Sheep Mountain is a joy to kite.

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy the photos, and see ya out there,

Noah Poritz
Attachments
Big Horn Mtn 1.jpg
Cale's sled died a few miles later.jpg
Black Butte.jpg
Snowcrest Range in the distance.jpg
Good spot to go kiting.jpg
Cale gliding on Big Horn Mtn.jpg
Cale with Monument Ridge in background.jpg
Do you like this photo.jpg
Julian on Big Horn Mtn.jpg
Light wind climbing.jpg
Noah finding powder.jpg
Wind lip on Big Horn Mtn.jpg
Sheep Mtn 5.jpg
Taylor Mtn & Mt Jefferson.jpg
Julian with Snake River Plain below.jpg
View from up on Sheep Mtn.jpg
Happy kiter.jpg
Super favorite kite spot.jpg
Easy boosting.jpg
Kiting with snow ghosts.jpg
Julian with Sheep Mtn behind.jpg
Riding the wind lip.jpg
Boosting over the canyon.jpg

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matthepp
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Re: Back to Back – Gravelly Range & Centennial Range, Monta

Postby matthepp » Wed Mar 26, 2014 3:46 pm

Noah, thanks for yet another inspiring trip report! Any danger is finally dropping down here, so now I have no excuse to get out there-
Cheers,
MH

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Noahpz
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Posts: 564
Joined: Fri May 28, 2004 6:14 am
Style: Big mtn snowkiting w/ lots of freestyle
Gear: Ozone Hyperlink V3 - 7,9,11,13. Ozone Chrono EXP 15m.
Brand Affiliation: Ozone
Location: Bozeman, Montana
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Re: Back to Back – Gravelly Range & Centennial Range, Monta

Postby Noahpz » Sun Mar 30, 2014 4:36 am

Matt: Any sick pics? Colorado kite spots are always so impressive in the in Spring.

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matthepp
Frequent Poster
Posts: 491
Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2008 3:51 am
Local Beach: RMP
Favorite Beaches: La Ventana
Kino Bay
Red Mountain Pass
Style: Rich
Gear: OR Flite 15m
OR Razor 12m
OR Prodigy 7m 9.5m
BD Carbon Megawatts
Slingshot Dwarfcraft/ Gamma 68
Brand Affiliation: Alpine Edge Engineering
Location: Ridgway
Has thanked: 7 times
Been thanked: 14 times

Re: Back to Back – Gravelly Range & Centennial Range, Monta

Postby matthepp » Mon Mar 31, 2014 3:47 pm

Noah, I haven't had a chance to get many good pics of the spots lately (but I've got a litany of excuses). Here's a shot at Lizard Head during last week's "brownout". We just got nailed with a bad dust storm layer late yesterday. It's gonna kill the spring snow conditions if we don't get some white on top of it soon. Keep your fingers crossed for a producing storm tomorrow night!

I'll try to get a few good shots from the next outing-
Cheers, MH
IMG_20140326_154110_555[1].jpg


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