I'm rocking an 09 11m Ozone Frenzy and hope to do a lot of back country kiting. Anyone out there have experience doing this? I read an article in kiteworldmag and understand everything except for how to scope out uphill / ideal wind direction.

I live in Colorado and hiked Loveland pass, then dropped in a snowboarded to a bowl and launched the kite from there. The wind was coming down the mountain making climbing uphill and upwind at the same time very difficult

best bet for backcountry info in CO would be to contact Anton @ Colorado Kite Force

Knowing what the wind is doing is kinda critical. With compression and gradient you can have a huge difference in wind from the base of a line to the top of a ridge or summit area. Land features along the way can set up all kinds of rotors and venturis along the way as well. Like EW said check for local knowledge and get your knowledge of how wind in the mountains works. Between thermic and terrain effects, the wind does some wild things.

Wind reports here are basically a reference and not a very good one. Too many enviromental influences up here to really take a report at face value. On the upside we get a lot of days with wind that are supposed to be calm. Love the mountains!

Downdrafts don't allow you to go uphill, later in the day you can ride uphill on updrafts and thermals but on an 11 Frenzy you will be lucky if you don't kill yourself, as that kite will literally fly off the mountain with you if you don't have expert skills.

You really need to understand that wind is like water. When you read a map .... Think 3-d.

All will be shown in this light/perspective. Altitude, terrain features, and colds vs. warm front has all to do with variables that may affect your uphill kiting,( which is essentially downwind/cross wind kiting).

Also... In the mountains... With an 11m.... Bring an extra set if lines.... With the 09' frenzy.... Half the lines so you can " half the kite" in terms of power in case winds are up.

Re: wind and your ride.... It is in fact almost impossible to go upwind and uphill... Unless it is a very slight slope....

Really have gear needed for overnight backcountry deals as the kites can move you really far, really fast.... Compared to walking.

Have fun be safe