LAKAWA

Drove out to kite island today. Snow was not bonded to the ice with lots of drifting. I would say the snow coverage was about 75% but it seemed as the day went on, more of the icy spots were getting filled in. All in all it was good to be out but had hoped for better snow conditions. She was a windy...

Checked out Medicine Lake today and surface was all ice but way to rough for any riding, lots of tracks and bumps all over the place. Only other people out were a pair of ice fisherman in the middle of the lake. Conditions won't be any good until it gets another substantial layer of snow, or the a ...

Swede was great yesterday. Wind was very steady when we first got out around 1:00 on the 9 meter. It did pick up a bit and more gusts later but still good. Ice was 5 inches or so since the long ice screw never drew water but we didn't drill any holes with the auger to verify. Snow was not bonded to ...

At the risk of sounding like everyone's mother, just because someone has an portable ice house out on the lake doesn't mean the ice is safe. Be careful when going out on these newly frozen lakes everyone. I don't want to see snowkiters on the news for the wrong reason.

Chummers wrote:Thanks to Pat we know that Swede is safe but I'd prefer to stay in the cities if I knew there was safe ice. Jerry B said Nokomis was just a thin sheet last weekend. Does anyone know whether it's safe by now? I would think that it would be but...

Heading to Swede today, will be there around 1:00

Matt,

Apparently I am the last one to hear about using a climbing harness for snow kiting..... Since this was a new one on me I looked up some stuff on the Google and was curious if you are using a carabiner on the loop or will you feed the chicken loop directly through?

I'm not saying you shouldn't buy a VHF radio but keep in mind that the handhelds will be limited in power/range. Also, VHF requires line of sight for good communication and if you are using one right at the surface of the water, it might not work too well. Another problem, as you suggest, will be wh...

I could have swore I saw a news blurb just yesterday about a truck going through on Medicine but I can't seem to find anything about it on the internets. Would be interested to know what the conditions are like after this ice/snow mix.

Jon,

It can be hit or miss as mentioned. The past few years I was glad I had a wet suit with me as a cold front can change the water temp very quickly. Probably could have gotten by without it but it was nice to be warm and toasty on those days.

In the air. Sorry, just could not resist

Here is a quick clip my wife shot in Padre this year. No fancy music yet but at least the warm memories feel good this morning (-11 degrees f)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgHubh41eSU

And if you liked the music in the Maui video, you will love this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mxmFCw-Dig

I drove up to the Ranch on Sunday when I got here and it looks OK. No wind that day so did not kite. It is quite a walk from the parking area to the launch area but there are dead man's available for self launches. Was at North flats yesterday for a nice afternoon session and was able to stay on the...

It was a damn fine day at Reddy on Thursday. We did not get the big wind that was predicted but was powered up nicely on the 12. And we got the bonus sunset session!

Nice! No more "walks of shame" if you can't get back upwind with your kite.......

It was a banner weekend for kites in trees last weekend at Reddy, but I think this takes the cake.........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5BRZEneAEo#t=10

I rode the Epic Oxygen in Padre last fall and it was great. I did buy one but have not yet rode it this year. My comparisons were a 164 Spleene Door and the Cabrinha Plasma (146 I think). Both the Spleene and the Plasma got you out riding in light wind but the Epic at 137 x 47 was a lot easier for m...

I think I will bag it for today. I know we are supposed to suffer for our sport but with marginal winds in the forecast (6mph at Brainerd airport as I write this), water temps still in the 40s, air temps barely touching 60, and almost no chance for some warmth from the sun, I think I'll stay home an...

Argh. Wind forecast has dropped just a bit. Kinda puts me on the fence about going.

FYI, according to a report in a fishing forum, Mille water temp was 42-44 degrees on the 22nd.

Well? Anyone going to Reddy Saturday?