Bearclaw Bob's

[bearclawbob]

Dealer for ALTERNATIVE IMPACT

Alternative Impact

For the past 17 years Alternative Impact has been building performance parts for riders of all calibers, from the weekend warriors to the everyday extremist. As you can see if you have compared our prices to others we are on the lower end of the scale in price and the upper end in quality and performance. Our titanium packages are never disguised with such things as bead blasting, wire wheel finishes, powder coating etc. to cover up imperfections. We do not add numbers to weights for an illusion of a lighter product. Here at Alternative Impact it’s honesty is the best policy, which gets harder to find in today's market. We still live behind our no B.S. Policy we did the day it was started and that will never change. All of our front a-arm kits have countless hours of testing to create arms that will withstand extreme punishment but also save bulk heads during an impact. Probably one of our best well know assets for sleds such as the extremely fragile Rev and XP chassis. Our bottom line as always is a better quality part from one end of the sled to the other at a price more people can afford.

 

[bearclawbob]

Clear skies

Woke up to find clear skies and 8 above. The amount of snow over night was 2 inches. The snowman is calling for another couple more inches today. The cold is still coming in for next week. BRRRRRRRR

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS:esterday in the Northern Madison Range, a snowmobiler was caught and fully buried in an avalanche in the second Yellowmule on Buck Ridge. He was located with an avalanche beacon by his partners and was uncovered with minimal injuries for a fortunate outcome. This event highlights the importance of being prepared with the right gear and the right partners. The avalanche likely broke on a layer of weak sugary snow above an ice crust on the ground (photo) and was on a heavily wind loaded slope.

Snowfall totals since Thursday equal 1” of snow water equivalent (SWE) throughout our advisory area with over 1.5” of SWE in the southern ranges. Strong winds yesterday transported new snow into fresh drifts near ridgelines and increased the stress on buried weak layers (video). Wind slabs and new snow slabs may rest over weak snow that formed on the surface during last week’s cold temperatures, and could be easy to trigger today. Avoid steep terrain if you see fresh wind slabs or cracking and collapsing in the new snow.

New snow and wind-loading also added weight to a layer of weak facets near the ground. Ski patrols triggered avalanches on this layer over the last week (photo, photo); and avalanches failed on this layer in the backcountry, including the one that caught and buried a snowmobiler yesterday on Buck Ridge. Wind loaded slopes will be the most likely place to trigger an avalanche on this layer, but avalanches are also possible on this layer on non-wind loaded slopes. Choose terrain with lower consequences and dig a hole to look for this layer before committing to steep terrain.

Recent snow and strong winds create unstable conditions today and the avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE.

 

[bearclawbob]

Rental line up

Here's what I have for rental this year.



2017 Arctic cat sno pro 162 LTD 800
2017 Ski doo 850 x package 154
2017 Ski doo 850 x package 165
2016 Polaris Axys 163
2016 Arctic cat sno pro
2012 Polaris Assault 800
2016 ski doo 2 up 550 F expedition

 

[bearclawbob]

AVALANCHE DEATH

Just got home from town and I wanted to post that we lost a skier Sunday. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends.
Everyone be careful out on the slopes. Watch for avalanche signs.
Remember, the Avalanche center is putting on classes every Friday night from 6 - 7:30 at the Super 8 and classes on the mountain Saturday from 10 -2. Yes they are free. The classes will run through March.

 

[bearclawbob]

more snow

Morning from Cooke city and Bearclaw / Bakery and the Super 8. I arose to find several more inches of powder. The snowman is still calling for more today through Wednesday. Then the cold moves in. Yes, below zero.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: A skier was killed in a small slide outside Cooke City on Sunday and on Saturday a snowmobiler was completely buried and successfully rescued in an avalanche on Buck Ridge in the northern Madison Range.
All the ski areas are finding unstable slopes.
The snowpack structure is poor. A weak layer undermines all the new snow that has fallen and on many slopes this layer is collapsing and avalanching with the weight of a skier or snowmobiler. The weak layer is 2-4 mm sized grains of angular, faceted snow that is not cohesive or strong. Like sugar, it falls out of our hand when we grab a fistful.
My recommendation is twofold: First, watch and familiarize yourself with this deadly layer. Second, put your shovel in the snow and dig to the ground. If the faceted layer is there, back off and don’t expose yourself to avalanche terrain. Since triggering avalanches is likely, the avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE.

Steve at the Super 8 has been telling me that people aren't taking advantage of the Snowest discount. Don't forget to mention it when you book.

I do fill avalanche bottles and sell new ones.

 

[bearclawbob]

BRRRRRRRRRR

Its a cold morning in Cooke ( 8 below) Morning from Bearclaw/Bakery and the Super 8. The snowman says we are going to get 7 inches of snow tonight with a low of 2. Tomorrow we can see an additional 6 more inches with temp's in the mid teens. Then cold moves back in again for Saturday through Monday.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today’s avalanche concern revolves around the poor snowpack structure we are seeing throughout our advisory area. Sugary feeling facets, either sitting on the dirt or on an ice crust near the ground, are strong enough to hold just the load it has---no more. Natural avalanches are unlikely today, but the added weight of a skier or snowmobiler or the impact of a cornice (which are easy to break) could trigger a slope. The amount of snow on top of these facets…the slab…varies from 2’ in the southern Gallatin and southern Madison Ranges and Lionhead area, to 4-5’ in Cooke City and 3-4’ elsewhere. The past 48 hours without snowfall and minimal wind-loading has given the mountains a reprieve, but the weak layer near the ground will be a problem in the coming days with the new snow.
My advice today is the same as yesterday: before you enter avalanche terrain, put your shovel in the snow to see if the slab is undermined by these weak facets. If so, stay away from steep slopes. To see what this layer looks like, check out last week’s videos and photos on our website. For today, the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on any slope steeper than 35 degrees and MODERATE on less steep slopes. creep around on the snow.

 

[bearclawbob]

LOTS OF SNOW

Morning from Bearclaw/ Bakery in Cooke city. Woke up to 7 inches of snow and its still snowing. The wind has picked up so drifting is going to be an issue. The snowman is calling for more snow. By tomorrow we should see another foot. We've had at least 18 inches at this time.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Primary Problem – Wind Slabs, Storm Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs

In the southern mountains the avalanche danger will increase with the introduction of new snow and wind. This combination will add a significant amount of stress to a weak snowpack structure. As the storm continues, wind slabs and storm slabs will grow increasingly sensitive to human triggers. Avalanches failing in the new snow could propagate farther than you might expect and produce enough volume to carry or burry a skier or rider.

The real concern today will be avalanches failing on weak, faceted snow near the ground. Slides originating within the new snow could easily step down to this layer, producing lager and more destructive avalanches. Yesterday, a skier outside of Cooke City observed a few natural avalanches, one being three feet deep and six hundred feet wide. Both of these slides occurred on slopes with a northerly aspect. These slides are just a few of many that have occurred throughout the week.

Today, given the poor snowpack structure and new load, I would not trust any slope steeper than 30 degrees. For this reason, the avalanche danger is rated CONSIDERABLE on all slopes. If the storm hits harder than expected today, the avalanche danger could climb to HIGH on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Tread lightly

 

[Yaeger34]

We would be coming from Minnesota and driving through the night after work tomorrow. So Hopefully be near Cooke at 8am Saturday morning. Would you suggest driving around through Livingston and going in that way or the Chief Joseph road? I've only taking the Chief Joseph rd but am a little concerned with our half ton pulling 4 sleds and some of the switchbacks. Also trying to stay smart this trip with avi danger, there is plenty of meadows and hills under 30 degrees to rip right? Thanks and excited to get back to Cooke this year!

 

[bearclawbob]

reply

You shouldn't have an issue pulling your trailer in over Chief Joseph. Does it have trailer brakes? Yes you should be able to find lots of riding with out climbing mountains.

 

[bearclawbob]

Pictures

check out the snow

 

[bearclawbob]

WARNING WARNING

ISSUED ON DECEMBER 15 2016 at 3 p.m.

The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center is issuing a Backcountry Avalanche Warning for the mountains near Cooke City, the Lionhead area near West Yellowstone, Southern Madison Range, and Southern Gallatin Range. Heavy snowfall measuring 1-2 feet with and strong westerly winds is adding weight to a weak and unstable snowpack. The avalanche danger is rated HIGH on all slopes. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely today. Avalanche terrain and avalanche runout zones should be avoided.

 

[2014xm]

We would be coming from Minnesota and driving through the night after work tomorrow. So Hopefully be near Cooke at 8am Saturday morning. Would you suggest driving around through Livingston and going in that way or the Chief Joseph road? I've only taking the Chief Joseph rd but am a little concerned with our half ton pulling 4 sleds and some of the switchbacks. Also trying to stay smart this trip with avi danger, there is plenty of meadows and hills under 30 degrees to rip right? Thanks and excited to get back to Cooke this year!

Roads have been super slick on switch back over chief and I mean really bad. Snow plows are really not doing their job from last weekend when I went we will see tomorrow if it's any better and will let People know road conditions

 

[Kbaerg]

We are heading up to Cooke area Saturday and may head up to Beartooth again

 

[Ski-Dont89]

My brother and I are looking for a couple guys to ride with on saturday and sunday in cooke. We are both capable riders and on newer sleds. I just think it would be safer with the potential snow depth and temperatures to have a couple more guys in the group. Pm me, post here or shoot me a text or call at 3072172923 if interested.

 

[jerherr]

Are you coming through North Dakota? I'll ride with you if you can pick up my sled in Bismarck! I'm sure you're on your way already though...

 

[alt]

My brother and I are looking for a couple guys to ride with on saturday and sunday in cooke. We are both capable riders and on newer sleds. I just think it would be safer with the potential snow depth and temperatures to have a couple more guys in the group. Pm me, post here or shoot me a text or call at 3072172923 if interested.

Strength in numbers. There is alot of new snow out there which means wicked fun but i like your safety factor. Have fun guys this is shaping up to be a moisture filled winter, please watch out for fellow riders, we are one and the same when it comes right down to it! Bobs been on plow duty for at least the last 3 days straight that i know of. My guess is cooke is minumum arm pit deep...
Dan

 

[bhrider]

Careful out there! Ride safe, make sure everyone has the proper avalanche gear and knows how to use it. Avalanche danger is HIGH!
http://www.mtavalanche.com/current

 

[bearclawbob]

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR again

Cold afternoon from Bearclaw / Bakery and the Super 8 in Cooke.
This mornings temp's are at 31 BELOW. I'm glad I got all the snow moving down yesterday. It took me until 6pm to finish up. The last two days we picked up about 18 inches each day.
The snowman is calling for cold until Tuesday and then it will be warming up with a 40% of snow for several days.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: Today, very dangerous avalanche conditions exist in the mountains around Cooke City. Over the past three days, this area has received over two feet of snow totaling close to 3” of SWE (snow water equivalent). This tremendous load has been deposited on a weak snowpack structure.

Facets near the ground remain the primary layer of concern. Prior to this storm, natural avalanches were failing on this layer and a skier was killed last Sunday in an avalanche that also broke on this layer (click the link below to read the complete accident report). Given the current snowpack structure in the mountains around Cooke City, all slopes steeper than 30 degrees should be avoided including avalanche run out zones.

Today, travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended and the avalanche danger is rated HIGH on all slopes.

Don't forget that we carry Alternative Impact A-arm Kits for Polaris.

 

[bearclawbob]

BRRRRRRR

Its another cold day in Cooke city. Not as cold only 12 below this morning. The snowman is calling for 60% for Tuesday and partly cloudy to cloudy the rest of the week.

AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: The avalanche warning in Cooke City expires this morning. Travel advice today does not change despite a lower likelihood of avalanches. An unstable snowpack with facets near the ground was loaded with almost 3” of snow water equivalent (SWE) on Thursday and Friday, and strong westerly winds continue to form drifts of snow on leeward slopes. Travel cautiously and avoid avalanche terrain today, including runout zones.

Yesterday near Cooke City, snowmobilers reported triggering slabs of new snow from flat terrain, and many large natural avalanches were observed that broke deep on facets near the ground on easterly through north aspects.

Wind slabs will be easy to trigger today and deeper avalanches are possible. Small slabs or loose avalanches in the new snow could trigger large avalanches on weak facets near the ground. Eric and I observed this weak layer a few days ago in the southern Madison Range and Lionhead area (video, video). We avoided slopes steeper than 30 degrees despite a lack of obvious signs of instability.

Today, the avalanche danger is HIGH on wind loaded slopes and slopes steeper than 35 degrees and CONSIDERABLE on less steep, non-wind loaded terrain.

This is a reminder that I do fill AVY bottles. Stop in and get them done. I also rent out the garage to work on your sled or let you store them over night.

The BAKERY will be doing again a PRIME RIB dinner New Years eve. Please call for reservations. 406-838-2040.

 

[seanc]

Hey Bob Sean here. I was the one that helped Craig tear that pro lite apart in your garage thanks for the hospitality! See you Jan 31