Saturday, 1/12 - 8AM

[Futahaguro]

Soooo, the winds look to be ripping Saturday morning out of the west. Low sustained estimates of 18 with upper estimates of 28 . I'm thinking Kite Island starting out with my 5M Samurai II, or twiddling my thumbs and talking to other people if I feel like I may kill myself with the winds .

Thoughts?

[KitingKen]

I may get out later in morning. As a new kilter this year, I might bring my trainer kite and possibly still twiddle my thumbs and watch others! Either way should be interesting.

Do you guys drive out to kite island on the ice? Think I'd get stuck in a 2 wheel drive?

What about lake waconia? Anyone going out? I live about the same distance from either location.

Happy flying.
Ken

[Futahaguro]

I have never been out there so I will do as I see others. Maybe I will walk out there for the excercise if I don't see anyone else driving out there, I am a little paranoid about my car falling through. It may be slippery after this rain but I doubt you will get stuck, unless all of the snow disappears and we have a gigantic hockey rink. If so, I may be wearing my ice skates .

[hammer]

Just returned from Kite Island. 6 cars. Although we all have to be independently comfortable risking the drive, I would not hesitate driving out again. I don't think 2 wheel drives would have any issues considering the lack of snow.

[KitingKen]

Thanks for the reply, hammer. Do you drive from the beach in wayata? Or looks like the map shows a boat launch at a marina east of the beach?

[hammer]

Drove out from the landing near the wayzata yacht club, and back to the beach access you mentioned. MK indicated surprise when I mentioned I came from the yacht club, so played it more safe going back to land...

[MK]

I'm just chicken:) the ice cracked in high pitch the entire drive on the ice. I ended up making a few commitments to whomever is in charge of this world to make it safely off the lake. Given the high 30's+ and warm rain I'll be parking on shore.

Ice skates or switchblade attachment on snowboard will be the immediate future until we get some snow. I'm thinking trips north for a while... I'll be referencing the snow line in the link at bottom of webcam post to see where to go for snow.

If the winds Saturday stick to forecast be careful. Base winds in 20's with gusts nearing 40's isn't a good combo for to be on sheer ice. Pad up if you go.

Great to see you Firehammer.

[Futahaguro]

Alright, I have decided to not go tomorrow due to safety concerns. I have grandiose visons of ripping across the lake having a great time, however I will more likely be WAY overpowered (when measured for the gusts) with my 5M fixed and I could easily hurt myself. Not to mention that I don't have the skills yet to even get around in lower winds.

This post from the PowerKite Forum just reiterated everything I have read;

"yup, I got my choice of several smallish foils for high wind. If you choose the wrong one, you're going to the hospital. Once the wind hits 25+, YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LIFE AND LIMB. That's why we like it,cause it's EXTREME. I have a 2m ace that will launch you like a missle in 30+ wind, and you can't tame it , it's too fast to control reasonably and safely.
Also, when you get storms that generate higher winds have alot of turbulents w/ them ,which makes flying any kite "not so much fun, more like work". And who wants to go flying to work their butt off w/ problems to sort all day and hope it doesn't end badly." http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=15855

Sunday looks to be a much better choice so I will be there in the morning on Sunday instead.

For those that do go, have fun!