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The Magic of the Big Horns

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Noahpz
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Style: Big mtn snowkiting w/ lots of freestyle
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The Magic of the Big Horns

Postby Noahpz » Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:39 pm

Six years ago I first kited the Big Horns and experienced a mind-blowing five days of snow, wind, and snowkite freedom. Every year since, I have come back. Sometimes I come back in spring, sometimes in winter, sometimes in autumn. It really doesn’t matter. Every time the kiting has been phenomenal.

It’s been a scant 3 and a half months since I left the snow in mid-June for work and now I’m back in the Biggies ripping soft fall chowder, fully lit on my nine, snowkite season is ON!

There are few places that rival the Big Horns. First you can drive to 9500 feet. Next, the place is a magnet for storms. Third, it’s no wheat field, these are real mountains. Add to that the Bear Lodge Resort (hot tub, pool, lodging, bar…), the Big Horns are hard to beat in the lower 48.

Attached are a few photos from the first day. Yesterday, everyone bailed and that left me for a solo session on Lil Baldy. It was storming so no photos that day. This morning I awoke to 6” of fresh pow, blue sky, and wind. I’m leaving the Bear Lodge momentarily and will be at Baldy in a few minutes. I can’t believe this place!

See ya out there,

Noah
Attachments
Boosting in the Big Horns.jpg
On My Way To Baldy.jpg
October Chowder.jpg
Kiting on Big Baldy.jpg

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Windzup
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Local Beach: Skyline and Strawbs
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Re: The Magic of the Big Horns

Postby Windzup » Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:46 pm

Nice Noah!!! Always on the scene scoring the best wind and pow on the radar! The Biggies do deliver a phat season, don't they?!? Love that there's only flat grass underneath, allowing a shallow base to open up safe riding. See you up there soon, our lil' guy is almost road worthy, and I have some new winter toys to test.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

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Noahpz
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Style: Big mtn snowkiting w/ lots of freestyle
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Location: Bozeman, Montana
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Re: The Magic of the Big Horns

Postby Noahpz » Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:17 pm

On Monday, the third day, as I mentioned above, I awoke to fresh pow, blue sky, and wind. As I made the morning commute from the Bear Lodge I’m awestruck with the beauty and magic of the Big Horns. Best of all the wind was from the NW allowing me to easily climb both Bald and Lil Bald Mtns. On both peaks I made tracks in soft, fluffy powder and made repeated laps wherever I found it deep.

Fresh powder, sunshine, wind made for a perfect day in the mountains of Wyoming.

Here's a few more photos. Thanks for reading and see ya out there,

Noah
Attachments
Blue-Bird-Monday-Morning.jpg
First-Tracks-on-Lil-Baldy.jpg
Hitting-the-Wind-Lips.jpg
Monday-Morning-Commute.jpg
View-of-The-Spot.jpg

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Windzup
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Local Beach: Skyline and Strawbs
Favorite Beaches: Any Mountain with snow and wind.
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Re: The Magic of the Big Horns

Postby Windzup » Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:53 pm

With out a doubt, the single best location to be Snowkiting in the USA in this fine month of October in the year of our lord 2011.

You are making me jealous Noah, the only question is, what will the surface conditions be like in the Biggies after the 12 hour haul after tonights Hemlock concert at Skylines Yacht Club? I'm getting motivated to drive with those sweet images from yout pocket cam.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

kylek
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Re: The Magic of the Big Horns

Postby kylek » Wed Oct 19, 2011 5:52 pm

looks like some great early season conditions. how long does that road stay open? its usually closed by the time Im getting to big sky but im coming early this year so maybe i'll get over for some o that. what is parking like for two wheel drive car?

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Noahpz
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Re: The Magic of the Big Horns

Postby Noahpz » Thu Oct 20, 2011 9:28 pm

Kylek: Hwy 14A usually is plowed to almost Thanksgiving weekend. The Wyo dot keeps their website current as to opening status: http://www.wyoroad.info/highway/conditions/Dist5.html

Parking at the Dayton Gulch turnoff (at the base of Lil Baldy) is no problem for a 2 wd car. Just to be sure, bring a shovel if you need to make space. If you plan on going that way, post on this site or montanakitesports and you may get some kiters to join in on the fun.

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Djoubs
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Re: The Magic of the Big Horns

Postby Djoubs » Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:47 pm

Looking great Noah :thumb: , i can't wait to get some !
We might go up there next Tuesday with Will for a few days :)

knewschool
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Re: The Magic of the Big Horns

Postby knewschool » Wed Oct 26, 2011 4:58 pm

Got here last night just in time for a quick session, and there is snow!
Attachments
_MG_9816.jpg
IMG_9837 copy.jpg

jteabird
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Re: The Magic of the Big Horns

Postby jteabird » Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:11 pm

the bighorn mountains are a thousand miles long and a hundred miles wide.. where are the best spots to plan a snowkite vacation there ??

rvrrat
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Re: The Magic of the Big Horns

Postby rvrrat » Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:22 pm

:thumb: OK, Now I am officially jealous. First Noah's great pics peaked my interest, But your pics Knewschool put me over the top. I need some of that! Cheers to both of you gettin' the early goods! Wish I was there, but I am gonna wait this time and get out there in Jan. JR


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