Some thoughts on the weather

[Kenny]

I thought I would share my thoughts on the weather with some of you that are newer to the sport and for those of you who do not like getting skunked.

Weather forecast - typically weather forecasts are more accurate the closer you get to the present. I used to try to plan my kiting days several days in advance. I have found that can often be an exercise in frustration. You will notice that the best riders either have a flexible schedule or don't work much at all. It is difficult to plan ahead for the wind. I usually make my decision to go the day of and sometimes just an hour before I head out. I also try to give a best bet and couch my forecast with "may" or "might" when I think that there is a chance of no wind. So, if you really want to ride, usually the "best bet" locations will produce. That may mean driving further or going to a location that you don't like as much to get wind.

Your kite quiver - if you only have one kite, you are going to get skunked on the days when you head out and the wind is either too light or too strong. The wind forecast that I give is only an indicator, so bring your full quiver every time and invest in at least 3 kites. I really think that 5 is more optimal, but you may wish to wait until you are more experienced to invest in the larger sizes. There are days when only the kiters on huge kites score and days when only people with tiny kites get to ride.

Topography and the wind - The difference in wind speed between a low-lying area and a hill or ridge can be dramatic. This is very noticeable at Skyline and Strawberry River. The launch area at both of these areas has very light and flukey wind on lighter wind days. You will notice that experienced riders will immediately kite towards the hills and ridge lines. If you try to stay in the flat areas, it can be an exercise in frustration. There are even days when there is literally no wind at the launch area, but 10 - 12 mph wind on Bosco hill. My advice is instead of immediately putting out your gear, watch to see what more experienced riders are doing. Ask questions, what areas should I avoid and try to mentally think of where the river of air will be flowing. Because that is exactly what wind is, it is a river of air. Understanding the river is a key to unlocking the areas where you can ride on the mountain. For example at the edge of a hill or behind a large obstacle, the wind will rotor, not unlike how water in a river will eddy or churn after going over a large rock. Your kite will tend to react erratically in these areas. Unlike water, wind is much lighter and will flow in a particular direction and quite often will switch direction. Understanding how the direction will change your riding experience is valuable to understand as well. It is helpful when riders put up wind socks or flags as you can visually see the direction and strength of the wind. Another simple method is to throw a handful of powder into the air. When the wind is light the wind will tend to blow over lee areas, dips, and gullies so paying attention to those areas can help you avoid the frustration of getting trapped with a downed kite while those around you are happily riding.

Education - I think it is also wise to educate yourself on what causes the wind in our area. In the winter-time our wind is generally caused by storm fronts going through or upper-level winds. Skyline and PowMow benefit from afternoon thermals as well. The better you understand the wind, the fewer skunks you will experience and the more high-quality safe days you will enjoy. I highly recommend reading a primer on the weather for paragliding. I recommend "The Art of Paragliding" or "Understanding the Sky" by Dennis Pagen. Craig can probably recommend some reading as well.

Experienced riders make a mental log of how weather conditions setup to provide either good wind or no wind. You learn over time what conditions are optimal, so pay attention to the weather each time you go. Look for relationships between weather indicators (i.e. upper level winds, observed wind strength, etc.) and actual conditions. The better educated you are (and the less desperate you are) the more you will experience good riding conditions.

Good winds!