PNW Snow Kiting

coldseagull
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11 Dec 2014 12:53 #223199 by coldseagull

PNW Snow Kiting was created by coldseagull

Looking for ideas on where to try and find some good snowkiting areas. Helens and Adams look promising because they are above tree line. Anyone with more BC experience in the area think of any other locations?

treeless, open faces are ideal, and it doesn't have to be super steep. I know Lake keechlus by snoqualmie is doable, but its just not interesting terrain.

Thinking areas of the North cascades could work, just a matter of finding that treeless basin.

Any ideas would be great!

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Gary Vogt
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11 Dec 2014 13:36 #223200 by Gary Vogt

Replied by Gary Vogt on topic Re: PNW Snow Kiting

Happy hunting!Â An inexpert search turned up this...
Heliotrope:Â www.turns-all-year.com/skiing_snowboardi...ex.php?topic=14752.0

The Ice Caves valley east of Muir Snowfield has vast mellow open terrain a couple hours from Paradise, but beware the large east-facing slopes that are the most active avy zones in the area.

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philfort
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11 Dec 2014 13:44 #223202 by philfort

Replied by philfort on topic Re: PNW Snow Kiting

I've been to:
- the ice caves area vogtski mentioned
- north side of Mt Adams
- Cle Elum Lake
- Muir Snowfield
- Summerland, on Rainier

No place was ever very good or worth the effort... the winds in the mountains are just too gusty and unreliable, unless you get really lucky.

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water
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11 Dec 2014 15:01 #223203 by water

Replied by water on topic Re: PNW Snow Kiting

plains of abraham east side of st helens? mt margaret backcountry? maybe down by 3 sisters.. between north and north side of south sister.. pretty large open area..

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hyak.net
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11 Dec 2014 16:11 #223204 by hyak.net

Replied by hyak.net on topic Re: PNW Snow Kiting

I had a buddy who used to do that at Lake Keechelus, just got to watch out for the stumps!

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Pete_H
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11 Dec 2014 16:19 #223206 by Pete_H

Replied by Pete_H on topic Re: PNW Snow Kiting

In a good snow year you could go out to the palouse and snow kite all the way to Pullman.

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Jake the Brit
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11 Dec 2014 22:00 #223214 by Jake the Brit

Replied by Jake the Brit on topic Re: PNW Snow Kiting

I heard a story once about Norwegians kiting for 80 miles between villages. I've always thought that this would be a stinking good day out. My gut tells me that Phillfort is right & that the wind will be really dirty in the mountains (also I heard that the wind always blows parallel to the ground plane, imagine that if it's steep) . I reckon the plains are where it's at, you just need a ton of snow. How about North Dakota, just watch out for power lines! I'm interested though & still have few kites around.

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Lowell_Skoog
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11 Dec 2014 22:42 #223215 by Lowell_Skoog

Replied by Lowell_Skoog on topic Re: PNW Snow Kiting

It seems like a low percentage activity in our mountains. But if you lucked out, here are a few places I think would be cool:

* Eldorado/Inspiration Glacier
* South side of Mt Baker
* Sulphide Glacier on Mt Shuksan
* Garibaldi Neve
* Garibaldi Lake (or some other big lake in the area)

My brother Carl took some photos of friends snow kiting in the Table Mountain area near Mt Baker ski area. That has the advantage of a short approach.

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coldseagull
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12 Dec 2014 07:04 #223217 by coldseagull

Replied by coldseagull on topic Re: PNW Snow Kiting

Thanks for the responses everyone. Agreed that this is a low percentage activity. But it's always good to throw the kites in the car when you go out touring in a good spot if it might be windy. I have been in the bighorn national forest on the plateau in Wyoming and it was one of the best experiences ever. Pretty strong steady wind and awesome hills.

I will check out the areas you mentioned, and thanks again for the responses.

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davidG
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12 Dec 2014 20:52 #223232 by davidG

Replied by davidG on topic Re: PNW Snow Kiting

Pete's right.. you need open/ rolling terrain with a frontal or prevailing flow. Only tried it a couple of times on snow, but lots of experience in kayaks. I've found ram-air types to be best. Popular in Antarctica..

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Lowell_Skoog
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12 Dec 2014 23:14 - 13 Dec 2014 07:41 #223235 by Lowell_Skoog

Replied by Lowell_Skoog on topic Re: PNW Snow Kiting

Another cool place to kite ski would be the upper Enchantment plateau, between Dragontail and Little Annapurna Peaks.

But that's an awfully long way to go just to get skunked by the wind.

Seems like the ideal conditions would be frigid Nor'easter in winter. With the right wind you could surf your way right up either of those peaks, maybe.

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aaron_wright
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13 Dec 2014 08:07 #223236 by aaron_wright

Replied by aaron_wright on topic Re: PNW Snow Kiting

Most of the avid kiters I know do it on the Waterville plateau when it gets enough snow. There are consistent winds and rolling terrain with lots of space. The elevation averages about 3000' so it can hold snow well.

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OldHouseMan
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13 Dec 2014 11:56 #223237 by OldHouseMan

Replied by OldHouseMan on topic Re: PNW Snow Kiting

Oregon Field Guide snowkiting episode

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flowing alpy
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13 Dec 2014 19:29 #223238 by flowing alpy

Replied by flowing alpy on topic Re: PNW Snow Kiting

panhandle of idaho

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