Snowkiting

Hi
Just got onto the forum and want to meet some other snow kiters. Ive just been over on the Yukon and did a few days kiting and returned with a brand new Manta.
I work 4 weeks on and for weeks off and plan to head out in the back range and camp and fly with some like minded people. Proberly spend 5 days to 6 days out then a day in town to restock and have a beer. I love back country sking and with these kite I hope to tear it up. Set up races, jumps and explore the back country. Building a sled at the moment.
In the summer it would be cool to go north with a few people.
I was thinking of starting a face book page.
Im a skier and an intermediate telemarker and snow boarder.
Id love to know whos out there.
I live in Katoomba and work in Papua at the moment.
Cheers Chris

Hi there,

After half a dozen years kiting Aust and various places OS I have to say the NSW mainrange is a world class area BUT GOOD LUCK HITTING IT IN CONDITION.

Suggest you ditch the idea of pre-defined date windows for your trips, or else go with a very flexible mindset where you don't mind skiing with the yoyos or reading a book and drinking scotch in a tent/hut for 48hrs.

In my opinion, For best kiting trip you want to watch the WX, and only bother driving down during a heavy blizzard, these are usually followed by a few hours/day of SW wind before a high ridges in and the wind dies, but prior to that the snow will be fluffy and cold, the wind fresh and the vis good. yep, post storm SWers are the goods, and they'll take you right along the range to the good remote stuff.

NW wind can be OK too, but snow may be crap and vis will likely deteriorate.

Occasionally you may get a moderate SSE but these often last a few hours only.

I'll be heading down whenever possible July onwards, usually staying out for a night or two. sometimes we fill the sled with booze and get silly out there.

Get in touch in a couple of months if youre keen.

Pat

I'm no snowkiter, but will definately be giving it a crack this winter. I usually spend most weekends at the snow, camp at island bend or thedbo river (or splurge on the station sometimes).

So, if the weather's crap it's the resorts, if the weather's right I'll be trying to snowkite.

Hi Pat

If you need a hand with that fully laden sled of grog this year, let me know

Cheers (hic) Paul

Hey paul,
Maybe another party trip this spring - the last one was pretty good!
Cheers.
P.