Groveling in the Gravellys

Hi everyone,

Weekend warriors made the rocky, muddy drive up into the Gravelly Mountains of SW Montana on Saturday and Sunday, November 15th & 16th. With no snow in the valleys we had to drive to around 8200’ to find firm styro-snow to kite.
I was able to ride both days and fortunately the winds were strong and smooth on Saturday. That allowed me to ride off the ridge top and hit the numerous ramps and kickers from the old mining prospects under the snow. Since the wind was so smooth I flew a 15m Manta 2 and got my first chance to feel this giant wing fully powered. The beauty of such a big roll of cloth is that I could hang as long as I wanted. Clearing exposed rocks was no problem: Just sheet in, give the kite a little more input, and fly a little further down the mountain. As I got my timing dialed on the 15 my boosts got longer and longer.  Eventually the winds picked up and I finished out the day with a sunset session on the 12m.

Sunday was and “light and variable”. That’s the best way to put it. A hand-full of kiters made the drive and generally we found the best wind right on the ridge top. Unfortunately, it was just was not as strong as the day before. Everyone flew their biggest kites and we all got a workout. When I got some apparent wind and gravity going I could fly, but generally my boosts were pretty close to the surface on Sunday. It was nice to see a handful of the local Bozeman, Montana snowkiters again this weekend and I know that everyone is ready for another storm – Bring It On!

See ya out there
Noah