I almost spent the night in the Flattops tonight. I picked my sled up from the shop today after some minor work and took it out for the first time this season. Went up to the Flattops (north of Silt/New Castle area). As a beginner, I typically stay near the trail, and stay out of areas that feel dangerous, and be cautious.
I came to an area called Triangle Park. Its probably about 6-7 miles from the trailhead. Its not very big, fairly flat, bordered by trails on two sides, nothing to be worried about. Played around in it for awhile, then managed to get myself stuck. I tried several times to get myself out to no avail. Just kept digging deeper trenches. By this time I was very tired, huffing and puffing and it was starting to get late, around 3:30. I was probably 300-400 feet from the trail, behind a small hill and in waist deep powder. Several people went down the trail heading in for the day, which I tried to wave down, but because I was behind a small hill, the only way for them to see me was to look back over their shoulder while jetting down the trail. And no one did.
I decided that I needed to get back to the trail in hopes of seeing someone. First I tried to walk back on my sled path, but the snow was too soft and I kept sinking to my waist. So I started to crawl on my hands and knees, which worked pretty well, but I was exhausted and it was slow going.
I had another 50 feet to go to get to the top of the hill, when I heard snowmobile engines. A few seconds later a group of sledders came over the small hill and saw me. That moment felt like the cavalry had just arrived. They got me back to my sled, got me unstuck and back on the trail. Fortunately for me, I believe they were the last group of snowmobilers heading home. Unfortunately I did not get their names, but I would like to thank them again for their help.
The lessons learned today: Riding alone can take a simple situation and make it serious. Even though I could see the trail, doesn't mean getting to it is easy.
While I had a backpack with some basic survival gear with me, there were a few items that I wish I would have had with me. Snowshoes would have been huge, maybe a little hard to pack, but would have kept me from crawling on my hands and knees. If no one had come by, the gps spot messenger would have been nice. Think I'll be getting myself one.
I'd love to hear other peoples stories.
- Steve
I came to an area called Triangle Park. Its probably about 6-7 miles from the trailhead. Its not very big, fairly flat, bordered by trails on two sides, nothing to be worried about. Played around in it for awhile, then managed to get myself stuck. I tried several times to get myself out to no avail. Just kept digging deeper trenches. By this time I was very tired, huffing and puffing and it was starting to get late, around 3:30. I was probably 300-400 feet from the trail, behind a small hill and in waist deep powder. Several people went down the trail heading in for the day, which I tried to wave down, but because I was behind a small hill, the only way for them to see me was to look back over their shoulder while jetting down the trail. And no one did.
I decided that I needed to get back to the trail in hopes of seeing someone. First I tried to walk back on my sled path, but the snow was too soft and I kept sinking to my waist. So I started to crawl on my hands and knees, which worked pretty well, but I was exhausted and it was slow going.
I had another 50 feet to go to get to the top of the hill, when I heard snowmobile engines. A few seconds later a group of sledders came over the small hill and saw me. That moment felt like the cavalry had just arrived. They got me back to my sled, got me unstuck and back on the trail. Fortunately for me, I believe they were the last group of snowmobilers heading home. Unfortunately I did not get their names, but I would like to thank them again for their help.
The lessons learned today: Riding alone can take a simple situation and make it serious. Even though I could see the trail, doesn't mean getting to it is easy.
While I had a backpack with some basic survival gear with me, there were a few items that I wish I would have had with me. Snowshoes would have been huge, maybe a little hard to pack, but would have kept me from crawling on my hands and knees. If no one had come by, the gps spot messenger would have been nice. Think I'll be getting myself one.
I'd love to hear other peoples stories.
- Steve
