Kleppstadheia - Lofoten Islands ski day 1

Kleppstadheia 15 Apr 2018.

Our first ski day in the Lofoten Islands. A skier was killed in an avalanche at Sydalsfjellet on 2 April so our guides George and James were careful to select a safe ski route.  The peaks on the Lofoten Islands are close to the sea so as soon as you gain some altitude vistas across mountains, fjords and the ocean appear.

We skinned up a trail through some small birch trees then up a long snow slope topping out on the summit ridge.  I put our names in the log book and we had lunch enjoying the views.  

The ski back down for a first run on good snow that was soft but not too wet, then skinned up a subsidiary peak for more great views.  We skied down again then traversed to get to the route where we ascended through the trees.  There is no ski descent if you try to got directly down, it cliffs out.  

Getting through the trees was challenging in a few places, there seemed to be a lot more trees on the descent!  

My hamstring injury was not a problem, it has healed well.

The skiing here is excellent.  I am looking forward to our further adventures.

Kitesurfing Brighton

Session 442.  Good kitesurfing in 20 knots+ northerly at Brighton with good speed runs on flat water and a short tour up to the Brighton Marina.  Nice to get a session in before my upcoming trip to Norway.

Sandy Point kitesurfing downwinder towards the Prom then back up the inlet - great tour

Session 441. What a tour!  I left my car at the inlet, Bruce drove me back to the surf club. We started doing some tacks in the nice surf at Sandy Point.  The waves there are great for kitesurfing as its usually easy to get out the back then pick some good waves to ride back in on.

Tongue Point (L) and Shellback Island (R) in the distance

Then it was off downwind, enjoying good waves all the way to the Shallow Inlet mouth.  I was keen to go further so I took headed further along the beach.  The waves got bigger and the water got clearer and more blue.  I went as far as the first rock outcrop on the beach.  The dark shapes in the water there were small sections of reef.

The view down to Tongue Point in the distance was great, the view looking out to the dramatic Shellback Island offshore was fantastic.

I was on my own so I headed back.  Stu W, Stu S and Tarren had driven all the way back from Tathra in the morning after 4 hours kitesurfing yesterday so they were less frisky than usual.

I got back on a single tack and could have easily kept going back to the surf club but the inlet beckoned.  There was some lovely flat water and good wind.  I clocked my fastest ever speed at 53.3 km/h. Back near the car there were wind shadows, we definately had the best kitesurfing along the beach and near the mouth of the inlet.

Stoked to complete such a great session.  Next time I will scope out kiting around Tongue Point and landing at Squeaky Beach.  That would be a grand tour!

He had a good meal in the pub at Inverloch, very contented with our exploits.

Mr Styles heading out

Dobbo!

Kitesurfing a mild sea breeze at Ricketts Point

Session 440. A mild sea breeze at Ricketts Point provided good "staying upwind" practice, a few jumps and then some faster runs.

I got some seaweed caught in my lines when self launching which affected control of the kite - be careful with that, there is a lot of seaweed on the beach at Ricketts.

I had enough power with my Union 10, but not enough for big jumps.

Nice to see a couple of dads teaching their sons how to kitesurf, the next generation is coming