Is Winter Over???

[jerlane]

So I finally got out for the first time this year a few weeks ago and now it looks like things are all but over. The forecast for this week looks like a lot of rain and I imagine it's going to take the snow pack down to essentially zero. I know there's the chance that we may still get some snow, but what are the odds that we'll get rideable conditions again? It doesn't look good to me right now.

[monkey1031]

I got an e-mail a couple days ago when I asked a similar question, that may provide some insight...


E-Mail Repost:
"Hi, I know we haven't talked for quite some time, it was good to see your e-mail. I feel really bad about getting you into a bar brawl with those Hell's Angels, but they just wouldn't shut up... You know how it is, anyway, in answer to your question, I'll see what I can do about sending some snow. Miracles aren't easy, and for me to dump ten inches of powder on and around Kite Island might look a little suspicious, but if I scatter it around a bit, I might be able to get you a few more days, just keep sending those checks... Anyway, I'll talk to you later, Your buddy, God"

-smd7

[tom_latcham]

I know how you feel. When you start to really have fun with winter it is almost over. When they forcast all those warm temps and rain for this week. I stuck my lower lip out so far a bird almost pooped on it. However I stuck my cross country ski pole down a ice fishing hole and 3 feet of ice is still on the lake and March is the month with the most snow. The snow that is left is very fast corn snow. Makes for high speed runs and low bar pressure. Enjoy what is left of the snow season. Last year, 3 weeks from now, I had my 1st water ride on Spirit Lake in Iowa on Saturday. Then drove to Milacs for my last snow kite on Sunday. With a little travel you can almost kite year round. Not many sports like that. Wind is coming up today Might have to kite before the rain comes.
TL

[Cory M]

Anybody know what the conditions are like up on Ottertail? We had a good spring session up there last year. Temps may be a bit lower up there and the moisture has the possibility to be in solid form. Thinking a vacation day for Friday may be in my future.

Spacedog, you up for it?

[Travii]

I remember several late February-March blizzards that dumped 15+ inches of snow a few years ago. I also remember being totally exhausted kiting White Bear in that stuff. It was deep, lasted for less than a week, and kept everyone boosting (and crashing) like crazy. Exhausting!

I also remember the issue that a week of rain followed by a massive snow dump creates: A 6" layer of bone soaking slush and water on the lake surface. Depending on how much rain we get, the better option after a late season blizzard may be open fields that can soak up the water. On one of the last days of one particular season (2006?), we watched one kiter catch his front edge during launch and do a forward superman. This led to him getting drug through the slush for some distance and coming up totally soaked from head to toe. We concluded that this was the sign of the last day of the winter kiting season for 2006.

I am hoping for a late season surprise, then, summer.

Travis

[Reds]

we kited on April 1 last year...water is coming to you soon...there is open water in Padre!

[scottman]

Along with windsurfing winter is dead, just kidding about the windsurfing deal, I think we have seen the last of winter at least the real cold weather.

[jerlane]

I agree, with the second part. I drove by Calhoun yesterday and there was a lot of standing water and that was before the rain came. Even if we get some snow I think the odds of any lakes being sailable are slim. The idea of riding a field is interesting. I've never done that. Where are these supposed vast green (white) acres with bottomless powder???

Maybe if I start dusting off my WINDSURFING gear we'll get some more snow.

[dtownkiter]

looking at the past statistics for march i would say we are still due for some snowfall this month. not sure if it will matter in terms of lake riding depending on how much water is on top.

mille lacs looks pretty wet right now...

http://www.mnlakecams.com/

any idea of the Duluth area?

last year i rode north of Two Harbors on April 15th with plenty of ice and snow. somehow i dont see that happening again this year.

[EOPPEN]

I am thinking.....Wetsuit, snowboard, neoprene socks, and possibly a lifejacket.....Tomorrow! little skim on top of the ice.

[scottman]

Old dry suit, neo hat , boots and gloves and an old board you don't mind tearing up possibly and out on the lake we go. Never kited in part slush part water before, just don't fall I guess and if you do, don't let yourself get dragged to far and you should be O.K. especially out on the nice 50 some degree days!!!

Yeah on a serious note, i think the lake stuff is over, too much water and it will never get to an icing temp again probably for the rest of March and into May unless you possibly go up north some place, other than that it's wait for the open water now!

[tom_latcham]

My last ride on the lake a few days ago was very interesting and fun. It was a combination of snow skiing and water skiing. In the deeper puddles it is water skiing. I flew down what was left of a plowed rode. The water was 4 to 5 inches deep on top of the ice. If you did not lean way back the spray would come off the tips and soak me from head to toe. Thank goodness for gortex. Then you would hit slushy areas where you had to get the weight back on the balls of the feet to get an edge. You really had to keep your eyes open for the puddles. I almost sunk my tips and went over the handle bars a few times. When I was water skiing I was generating a rooster tail of water behind me just like behind the boat. It was so much fun I did not want to stop. However the gallons of ice water in my ski boots made for a shorter ride than I wanted. My ski boots needed 12 hours on the boot drier instaed of the normal 3 hour cycle. I had to dry my kite in the house because it was soaked. The wind is up again today. I want to go. But it is just to wet. They need water proof ski boots to make it worth while. If the rain quit and the sun came out. I think I would soak my feet in ice water one more time.
TL

[Iceman]

Hi Tom
I was on Forest Lake this morning and I had no standing water and just enough stuff on the ice to get a edge. It felt good to get out again.
And then there is Tom water sking I would of liked a pic of that.


Dave

[Stroh]

any idea of the Duluth area?

We got a lot of rain yesterday and last night... I think winter is over, even in the northland! I would be surprised to see any snow left on the lakes up here. The lakes are all river reservoirs so they are probably starting to open up anyways...

Jon

[jrjohnson1]

This was the shortest snowkiting season I've ever seen.... I feel like I was robbed.

[MikeF]

Short season, and not alot of wind days during it. Altho some of the best snow we've had in a long time. There are fields around that are still rideable but your gonna get wet.

[scottman]

Short was right, I actually was able to kite 4 times and that was it, short season maybe the spring will be much better, early ice out and water riding, dry suit weather this next week!!

[MikeF]

If you find the right spot you could probly water kite the puddles in a field. Some of the ones I have seen have been the size of small lakes.

[flynhi]

Kited yesterday on Lake Wissota...had to walk through about 35 feet of 8" deep water over ice to get out to the dry stuff, and then most of it was only dry for a while. Center of the lake held up pretty well until I left at about 1. It started raining at about 1:30. Got some great speed runs in using skis and my 9m T3. Buddy tried on a 15m with a snowboard and was not having any fun. Not looking good for further sessions here...maybe Bayfield?!?!? Any reports in that direction?

Scott