Having learned kiting basics on the water last summer, I have been itching to combine that with my snowboarding and backcountry skills. It has been a long wait, but it was well worth it.

Yesterday was my first day snowkiting, and the experience could not have been any better.  The skies cleared up to near bluebird, the wind was strong and steady, the snow was soft and there were only two other riders out, both of whom I had already met and were willing to keep an eye on the newbie. 

Precautions in place, my transition to snow went really well and I didn’t need any help or supervision after all.  Not to say that I am ready to go charging the backcountry, but for my first time out, I was self-sufficient and under control.  And if that wasn’t enough, riding uphill on snow at 15-20 mph was a truly unique experience, and one that I will continue to seek.

Before dropping in on the folks here in Mt. Pleasant, I had the great fortune of spending the weekend with two groups of friends in Park City, eating sushi, checking out the Sundance Film Festival, snowboarding, relaxing, sitting next to a fire in a log cabin, hanging out on an organic farm and overall, just catching up.  It was great, and exactly what I needed.  As usual, it was a quick visit, but I am hoping to make it back for another few days sometime this month.

Thanks again everyone, I really appreciate the warm hospitality and quality time.

On a side note, this image was recently published in the first issue of Standup Paddler as a double page spread.  It all came about while hanging out and shooting with Luke Hopkins for a few days last fall.  We were both short on time, but we managed to put some strokes on the water and in the end, I am really glad we did.  Congratulations to Standup Paddler for its inaugural issue and thanks again to Luke and Stride Stand Up Paddleboards for a great few days!