We have finally thawed out so can report on the new flying spot on the Great Salt Lake beach.
So we decided to get down to the beach early because the weather forecast said that the wind was dropping off mid morning.
Arriving at Saltair the wind was blowing about 20mph gusting to 25, we decided to move on to the flying spot which was a good idea because we could drive onto the beach with the car.
Stepping out of the car the wind was blowing the same speed and northerly so bang on shore.
So the temperature outside was around 19 degrees and with the wind chill it was about death degrees.
Not to worry we were there so wrap up and off we went.
He spent about 2 hours of blasting around the beach before it just got too cold and we packed up and went home.
This place really is going to be awesome in the spring and summer.
So now we have 2 beaches for the SWATK USA club and on the look out for a few more spots.

Happy winds and see you soon.

Woody

Quote: Originally posted by slapbasswoody

This place really is going to be awesome in the spring and summer. So now we have 2 beaches for the SWATK USA club and on the look out for a few more spots. Happy winds and see you soon. Woody

How awesome is that!!! Very excited to read that the "kiting spot" panned out! My daughter and I skied yesterday in the bitter cold up in the hills above the lake and I can only imagine how cold it must have felt sitting on your seat meat in the bug.

Unless we get some major Indian Summer (that's American for freaky warm temps in the middle of winter for you Brits) I may not be buggying this winter until IBX2017, but count me in BIG TIME come Spring, Summer, and Fall.

The weather is getting a little warmer over here (toasty 52 degrees) so we are planning a trip to the flying spot on The great salt lake this Saturday.
Wind is forecast Southerly 10 - 15mph with an overcast day so all being well we shall be buggying.

Quote: Originally posted by slapbasswoody

The weather is getting a little warmer over here (toasty 52 degrees) so we are planning a trip to the flying spot on The great salt lake this Saturday. Wind is forecast Southerly 10 - 15mph with an overcast day so all being well we shall be buggying.

Go get some Paul! Wish I could join you this Saturday. However, like many men confident in their masculinity, I'll be joining my wife and daughter that day at the ballet. Sleeping Beauty at the Capital Theater 🎭 downtown SLC.

I am curious about the water level in the lake, now, and in the spring once all the mountain snow comes melting down. This good a snow year will make for some elevated lake water I suspect, robbing us of some valuable acreage along the shoreline.

Enjoy the ballet Steve and please....................no photos of men in tights please!!!!
The water level was one thing I was wondering about too.
I will report back on whether we still have a beach to play on.

Cheers

This might provide a little insight into the water level. Somewhat higher than last year and rising, but still below 2015.

http://greatsalt.uslakes.info/Level.asp


Time is on your side though - it is declined over the past 150 years and may well continue to do so in the long run.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/utah-great-salt-l...

Quote: Originally posted by Randy

This might provide a little insight into the water level. Somewhat higher than last year and rising, but still below 2015. http://greatsalt.uslakes.info/Level.asp Time is on your side though - it is declined over the past 150 years and may well continue to do so in the long run. http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/utah-great-salt-l...

Randy, coming in strong! Outstanding. For us buggy riders the long term receding of the water bodes well. A playa is forming! :karate:

I used to do a lot of biz in SLC and have some friends there. Perhaps some day I can make it back. In the meantime, keep draining the swamp. I mean lake. :D

Well Randy, we will see what we can do for you

Out on the Great Salt Lake beach today. The wind was blowing south so off to the flying spot to see if it works in a southerly.
first of all we got down there and long story short we had to call my wife to come and tow our truck out of the sand-clay mixture.
lesson learned check the beach before driving on it.
once out of the mire we set up the kites and had a great time.
the wind was blowing 10-15mph. Jack was out on the 4.4m reactor and I was having fun with the 9m chrono.
After around 2 and a half hours the wind dropped so we headed home to wash the car and buggy down.
Best day buggying in the US so far.
Roll on IBX whoohooo

Quote: Originally posted by slapbasswoody

Out on the Great Salt Lake beach today. The wind was blowing south so off to the flying spot to see if it works in a southerly. first of all we got down there and long story short we had to call my wife to come and tow our truck out of the sand-clay mixture. lesson learned check the beach before driving on it. once out of the mire we set up the kites and had a great time. the wind was blowing 10-15mph. Jack was out on the 4.4m reactor and I was having fun with the 9m chrono. After around 2 and a half hours the wind dropped so we headed home to wash the car and buggy down. Best day buggying in the US so far. Roll on IBX whoohooo

Glad you and Jack nailed it today Paul! Your wife is a trooper. Good to hear too that the "flying spot" works in a southerly of that strength. That should be the worst of all wind directions for that spot I'd think so it would seem that a >10 mph wind would work coming from any direction which is a great piece of Intel to have gathered for that spot.

Was the lake noticeably risen / beach smaller than when we saw that spot in the fall? We had a huge mountain melt about 10 days ago and I'm curious if the lake rose enough to cut back on the shore acreage. Also, was it dry suit sort of splashing and mucking or was the surface pretty good? I'd think the amount of water that's hit the sand as snow or rain in the past month or so would be considered pretty high compared to most months of the year.

Stoked that you guys had your best US buggy experience to date! IBX will reset that. :karate:

Let's see what time we get finished at Comic Con tomorrow.
It's Jacks birthday so we could rock up at the Salt Lake flying spot for some buggy action.
The wind looks pretty good.

Quote: Originally posted by slapbasswoody

Let's see what time we get finished at Comic Con tomorrow. It's Jacks birthday so we could rock up at the Salt Lake flying spot for some buggy action. The wind looks pretty good.

I flew SLC - Spokane yesterday and the plane arced right over the lake. I was looking at a whole lot of open sand! I can't join but man I want to! Have a great time.

Quote: Originally posted by Windstruck

Quote: Originally posted by slapbasswoody   Let's see what time we get finished at Comic Con tomorrow. It's Jacks birthday so we could rock up at the Salt Lake flying spot for some buggy action. The wind looks pretty good. I flew SLC - Spokane yesterday and the plane arced right over the lake. I was looking at a whole lot of open sand! I can't join but man I want to! Have a great time.

Cheers Steve and see you soon

What a great day on the beach today.
Jack and I rocked up to Saltair to see if there was any wind, low and behold the salt/sand was blowing across the beach.
It looked like a scene out of The Mummy.
Small kites it was then
I started off on a 2.8 and Jack on the 2.3.
Chasing each other around the beach was awesome, just like with SWATK back in blighty.
After an hour or so of chasing around in clouds of sand and salt, the wind dropped off.
Up went the kite sizes.
I slung out the 6.9 and Jack was on the 4.4
Now that was fun for about another hour until the sand started to lift again.
Oooops I think my kite might be a little over powered.
Yep, up I went with the buggy around my waist.....Whoooooooohoooooooo!!!!!!!!!
I brought the kite down on to the beach just in-case.
It was a good job I did because, just as I was packing the 6.9 away a mini tornado thing came across the beach and straight through me. Hahahahahahaa. first time that's happened and I tell you, as it hit me it the wind strength was unbelievable.
I looked over at Jack and he looked petrified ha ha ha needless to say he came in and packed away too.
All in all a fab day and we can't wait to get to Ivanpah now.

OUTSTANDING

I got my kites out today to start sorting through my gear building up to IBX.

Can't wait to start getting some days down at Soltaire with you guys.