Finally the time change proved useful. It's light till almost 8, which means I can kite after work. Snow is really drifted dry and hard in the fields this time of year. It was windy all day, so right home to get my gear I went. Wind meter is out of battery, but the weather stations said it was 35km gusting to 46km. I bring my 6m access and forgot to pack my 12m speed. Usually as it is hitting sundown the winds die for a bit. That's what happened and my 6m weather almost turned to 19/21 meter speed weather. I wasn't heading home, so I setup anyway. The firm surface allowed me to do downwinder and the wind picked enough that I was able to inch back to my car. It took almost 45minutes to do it but I refused to walk back. While it wasn't the most glamorous session, it felt great to finally get a bit of riding in. My last attempt was all of five minutes before wind died. This sport is definitely a love hate relationship.

I would have to agree, the last time I went out I only took 12 m frenzy . The day started off great nice powered eating the gust then all of a sudden here came 25 to 30 mph gusting over 45 all I could do was sit on the ice and wait for it to quit. The kite was so powered up that I pulled the Breakline hook it into my harness at the chicken loop and still was overpowered.

The only kite I don't take to Ivanpah is the 19m Synergy. Even if the forecast is for 25-35 mph. More than once I've thought it was going to be a 6m Phantom day and ended up on the 12.

I always take all my depowers with me. There has been many a time I planned to fly a small kite and wound up on a much larger and vice-versa. An extra minute or two of packing or kite or two in the trunk can really save a session.

I learned to carry with me in the buggy a small quiver, along with a few "just in case" things. Better to end up with a small kite and less wind, than a large kite and way to much wind.
Glad you were able to have a good day.

Yup I made the best of it, but it sure seems tiring to work way underpowered, than cruising a nice powered sail.