Carrying a shovel.

[Polar Express]

Hey Coxy (and anyone else)... one of the coolest tools to be able to start a fire in an emergency is a road flare. They'll work under water, and you got 20+ min of HOT fire to start what will likely be wet tinder and get yourself a fire going. Wrap 2 in a clean, dry rag, and rubber band them together. they won't rub that way, and you even got a 'rag' if you really need one.

............just a thought.

 

[devilrmk]

For flakey's original question. Imho the tunnel is the best place for a sled based shovel. I built a gas rack for my brother with provision for his shovel.

For anyone else that doesn't like to carry survival gear, think about this crazy sport we all love. When the weather is the worst, we are at our best. Out in the middle of nowwhere where most likely no one knows exactly where you are. Whats your life worth?
I have kids and others that depend on me, so the 10lbs of survival gear thats always on my back is always on my back. And I rarely notice it and never feel the weight, and I am just a little guy.

Polar Express is right, flares are the chit for fires.

 

[2zeros]

Backpacks?

I have two of them and really like having all I need on my back. Last year I bought a KLIM nacpac, because I wanted somthing smaller and lighter. I carry all of my survival stuff, shovel, probes, spare gloves, camera, gps. Just the bare essentials in my pack. The rest of my stuff in my sled. The pack is hardly noticable while riding, small, easy to use, I can't say enough good about it. The only bad is the price, at $75 it is a little spendy for how small it is. But well worth it in features. Also comes with water bladder for drinking. -00's

 

[ChickenMan]

Its amazing to see the people on here that I would refuse to ride with because of safety in an emergency situation. My safety gear is not only for me, but anyone else I come accross on the hill too.

 

[Bull]

amen brother....

couldn't say it better, chickenman....... believe forrest gump said it best....."stupid is, as stupid does" freak things happen every now and again. but don't all of us know one or two guys that always seem to be at the center of/cause of such drama? after a while, they get dropped from the group. can't make anybody use sense towards themselves, but you sure can make 'em towards the group or ride solo. just like a platoon or squadron......cowboys get you killed.

 

[gutterball]

Its amazing to see the people on here that I would refuse to ride with because of safety in an emergency situation. My safety gear is not only for me, but anyone else I come accross on the hill too.

This is one of many smart replys here, in an emergency the last thing you need is to have to go find and recover your gear so you can save your buddy, and as for the shovel hurting your back, i can only assume you guys dont have the shovel on the outside of your pack because there should be some padding( dry cloths, hot dog buns, and such) between you and the shovel, I'm convinced the shovel has saved me from injury many times.

Having said that we usually have a shovel on the machine also just in case you need to lend one to someone who's is, oh I dont know, burried or trapped in a tree well.

polaris makes a tunnel bag that has room for a shovel and some gear.

 

[CatWoman]

My shovel in on the inside of my pack.....and I've had some unplanned dismounts.....never an issue. Sled specific packs have padding on the back, very comfortable.

Last week I did another one.....and I honestly didn't/don't even feel the shovel in there (and it's in the pocket closest to my back).

 

[frostie_122]

I ride with a probe and shovel in my seat and a avy beacon strapped to by chest and use it quite often. Seeing more and more riders out there with a shovel on the back it is a good idea. I haven't been stuck where I couldn't get to my shovel but give it time I'm sure i will...

 

[montanasledder]

well said chicken man

 

[Snorider]

I carry all of my emergency gear on my back. shovel, probe, fluids, food, and the gear just incase i have to spend a night in mountains. you don't really notice it that much. in the sled is alright but when hell breaks loose, the only place i want my stuff to be is strapped to my back. The reason i say this is i've had my sled do solo test runs while another guy with in 5 minutes crashed. but lets say he kicked a slide loose. If my stuff would've been in my sled what good would that have done?

plus i don't ride with guys not prepared with beacons, probes, shovels ect. because if one guy is down under i want everybody to be able to effectively help. especially if i'm the guy everyone is looking for.

 

[Ex-Member]

Plan for the worst, hope for the best. Safety gear goes on you, never know where your sled may be in an adverse situation. Live to ride another day, etc.

I have no problems keeping sled tools or additional water bottles in the sled... but because you have a few bottles of water or a flare or two in your sled doesn't mean you don't need any in your pack.

Scout Motto, kids ("Be Prepared" for those of you that don't know it).