At the request of bigben I've started this post so I can let everyone know where/when the loco's(locals) will be meeting up. We expect to meet tomorrow, probably in the morning, but I'm not sure where/when. Jan is supposed to call in the morning, so I will post then.

WOO! Thanks Bob, still not sure I can make it tomorrow, but 2 + feet of freshies is really calling my name, gotta get a lot of things done today to be 'released' tomorrow... Keep me posted, and thanks for starting this thread.

Bob, things are looking better for me to get up there tomorrow, let me know the when & where, and I'll do my best to get my chores done today :-)

You guys really have 2+ feet of freshness? Gods Country with a little help from the lakes.
Enjoy!

Well, I had to do my chores today, too. I had to take my snowboard to the ski center to have it waxed, sharpened, and a minor delam at the front edge taken care of, and when I pulled it out found the ratchet side of the toe strap on the right foot binding was missing. Last session last year was either at Chaumont bay, or at the farmer's field up the road. Either way, I would have strapped my board to my plastic toboggan, along with kites, etc. so the strap must have fallen off somewhere between my set-up and my vehicle, and I never noticed it until now. I won't be getting my board back until next week sometime. Lucky for me I bought a used board from a guy at work, so I have a back-up! Anyway, coming back from the ski-shop I decided to come over the hill, and met Jerry, Christov and (I think)Jennifer from the Albany area, at the Hanno lot, setting up! Lucky I had my camera, and took a short, raw video for your enjoyment.

Hittin the snow tomorrow, be there or be square.

hey Ben, how long of a drive is it for you...?

Me so jealous ... me hate you long time!

depending on where we end up kiting, anywhere from 2:20 to 2:50 drive. It's a truck but the lakes are still wet and I need a fix....

I guess the meet up spot is the Rector Road lot, near the Sno-pals snowmobile club. See ya there!

Any updates on conditions up your way bud?
Wind predictions for Sandy Pond area look good, though the Lowville report doesnt look so promising. Any thoughts on a trip this weekend? Was thinking about heading up, but not convinced (also need to tune up my board).

It's Thursday, and I'm afraid to even speculate. Tuesday and yesterday morning it rained, taking away most of what we had from the weekend. I woke up to about 1-2" this am, the worth webcam shows just under a foot. The montague doppler shows a plume developing off the end of the lake to the NW, just north of me I guess, I just walked the dogs, it's overcast, but not snowing here right now. Jan called this am and was optimistic about getting together this weekend, we can only hope it stays cold! The forecast for today/tomorrow is lake effect bands, with 6-12" from what I've seen, Jan said something about two feet, but I haven't heard that. Wind forecast for the weekend is NW @ about 15, so depending on where the bands develop, that will tell us where we ride!(my board is in the shop right now, hope to have it back by then)

Keep us updated Bob, I may try and make the trip again if conditions warrant....don't want to repeat last weekend though...

Quote:

Originally posted by bobalooie57 It's Thursday, and I'm afraid to even speculate. Tuesday and yesterday morning it rained, taking away most of what we had from the weekend. I woke up to about 1-2" this am, the worth webcam shows just under a foot. The montague doppler shows a plume developing off the end of the lake to the NW, just north of me I guess, I just walked the dogs, it's overcast, but not snowing here right now. Jan called this am and was optimistic about getting together this weekend, we can only hope it stays cold! The forecast for today/tomorrow is lake effect bands, with 6-12" from what I've seen, Jan said something about two feet, but I haven't heard that. Wind forecast for the weekend is NW @ about 15, so depending on where the bands develop, that will tell us where we ride!(my board is in the shop right now, hope to have it back by then)

Bobo- Thanks for the update. Please keep us in the loop as things progress this weekend. I would like to make the trip, but I dont really want to drive for 8hrs and find not enough snow, or not enough wind.

As things progress, please let us know. Thanks!!!

Yeah, I felt kind of bad for bigben last weekend, though his drive was just 2 1/2 hours, he really didn't have the best of conditions, but I guess any kiting is better than none. After the rain Tuesday, I was thinking I'd be buggying Southwick next weekend! Will update with photo's if possible! Bob

Latest on the weather, I only got maybe 2" over night, so there isn't much to write about here. Worth web cam showing about a foot of snow. Montague doppler showing a plume to the south, mostly covering Oswego County/NW Oneida County. This lake effect is expected to wind down this afternoon. Gonna take a ride up to Hanno's to see what the snow is like there. Will post pics.

That doesnt sound very promising. I could use a good day of sleep anywys. Curious to see what Hanno's looks like. With the prevailing NW winds this weekend, can you check the honeyville fields as well? Thanks!!

Well, I got up to Hanno's, and found only about 6" of snow there. I wasn't able to go to Honeyville, but I really would hold off on a long drive up here this weekend. I know you are anxious to get some, but conditions are really not that good, and I'd hate you to come a long way and be disappointed. I'm actually thinking that if there is not much more snow, I may try to buggy the beach at Southwick. It will be cold and raw, but so would snowkiting! I can pretend I'm at Wildwood with Don and Jesse! Here's a pic at Hanno's.

Another.

One more, these were all taken as still photo's with the Tachyon helmet cam.

Ouch, that doesnt look like quite enough snow. Thanks for the update will def wait for more snow to hit!!

Well, snow is starting to pile up on the hill, about 3' on the Worth web-cam.
Now if the wind comes up some for the weekend. Right now it could be better, only about 10 mph(peak) for both days, but we'll see.

Edit: took out the link. dunno?

Sunday forecast is looking good (14-15mph), but Saturday still looks right around 10mph. If the snow is deep, it'll be rough getting going in that amount of wind. Hopefully the forecast picks up just a little bit more...

Curious though, the field on the top of the hill behind Hanno's lot, doesnt that get better wind exposure than some of the lower sites, especially with a south wind? Just wondering...

Jan and Bob just a thought from ragdens post , would it be possible to put a note on the printed maps indicating "optimum wind direction"for each site. I think it would be very helpful in directing first time and occational visitors to Tug hill.

Quote:

Originally posted by snowspider Jan and Bob just a thought from ragdens post , would it be possible to put a note on the printed maps indicating "optimum wind direction"for each site. I think it would be very helpful in directing first time and occational visitors to Tug hill.

Thats not a bad idea. Personally, I always advise new folks to just contact someone in the know. Either a local, or someone in touch with the locals... But this could work too..

Good suggestion ss, I'll pass it along. I was on the hill today and took some pics. Here's one looking at the hill across from the event site at Porterdales.

I walked out into that field a little way to check snow depth, this gives an idea.edit: rt foot shows about knee deep.

Here's one of my favorite spots on 177, just entering Lewis County.

One on the fly past the deer ranch!

And finally at Hanno's. A snowmobile made the tracks so I didn't have to!