Well said mang.
Christopher's Easter Weekend Rescue (or what not to do in a blizzard)
- Thread starter christopher
- Start date
Well said mang.
M
MPS
Well-known member
What!??? Are you implying that I am mangy!!!??
Thank you for accepting my offer to come and participate in this discussion. While you and I have seldom seen eye to eye on almost anything, I have come to respect you and your opinion nevertheless, and was hoping that you would join in on the conversation.
No and, ifs or butts about it.
I pushed it as hard as I could, beyond my ability/limits and got spanked, and understand that I am very fortunate I didn't get burned.
My purpose in writing this post was to LEARN from my experience. To turn it from something negative into something positive. While I knew full well a few would seize the opportunity to bash away on me and take advantage of an opportunity I presented to them on a silver platter, I hoped most would offer truly constructive criticism that would help me become a more competent rider for next season. And there has been some VERY good positive comments offered through the course of this thread. I HAVE learned many things that I was unaware of before.
I can't say anything that hasn't already been said, but I'd like to repeat something that I feel is very important. DON'T EVER LEAVE YOUR KIDS ALONE IN THE BACKCOUNTRY! They learn what they see and that taught them that it's ok to cut and run when the going gets tough.
I'm glad this story had a happy ending, it very easily could have went bad.
I'm glad this story had a happy ending, it very easily could have went bad.
Hindsight is a powerful thing.
At the time, the wisest course of action "appeared" for me to run down the trail quickly, break through any new drifts, and come back up the mountain. Then to put him on the sled and send him down to meet the rescue team that was assembling.
Perhaps it would have been wiser to just send him down as soon as we got his sled free, and walk behind him.
My goal was to get him off the mountain before he became a real liability or even a casualty. Once he was off the mountaintop, I knew that Dalton and I could spend the night if need be. I would have prefered NOT to, and thats why we started walking down towards the trees, but we could have.
At the time, the wisest course of action "appeared" for me to run down the trail quickly, break through any new drifts, and come back up the mountain. Then to put him on the sled and send him down to meet the rescue team that was assembling.
Perhaps it would have been wiser to just send him down as soon as we got his sled free, and walk behind him.
My goal was to get him off the mountain before he became a real liability or even a casualty. Once he was off the mountaintop, I knew that Dalton and I could spend the night if need be. I would have prefered NOT to, and thats why we started walking down towards the trees, but we could have.
M
MPS
Well-known member
I am an awe about the statement in bold...thanks. I never imagined reconciling with you. I may be one opinionated/passionate SOB, but I don't think I am close-minded. Here I am posting on SW again...wow...I wouldn't have imagined. Will I be an active member like I once was? hmmmm...baby steps
However, I am not here to rehash all the past stuff between us. I am glad you have learned from this experience and from experienced sledders on here. I truly learned a lot from other sledders when I was beginning to ride. Hell I still learn things. No one is a perfect rider or a perfect survivalist....there is always room for improvement. There is no shame in telling someone you are new to the sport and asking for help. I sure as hell don't know anything about scuba diving.
Tell Manwaring or Lindstrom to get their behinds out there and ride with you! I don't know Lindstrom, but I know Manwaring would teach you a lot...if the old fart can still get out. haha Challenge yourself every ride and learn.
C
cowboysedge
Well-known member
Chris, glad you and the boys are ok!
I may have missed a few things in a few of the posts, but one thing we do is find a riding area that we like close to home. Then ride that area until we are sick and tired of going there, learn every nook and cranny! When you get board of the area venture out of your comfort zone (RIDE OTHER PLACES). Then when the storms rolls in and dump that epic powder that we all dream of venture back into that comfort zone that you know like the back of your hand. Just because the weather is bad and the light is flat and the powder is deep doesn't mean you need to stay home and wait for the next weekend when the sun is out and all the other peeps are beating the heck out of the mountain to go riding.
I myself wait for these days! Today a Tuesday when I got out of bed and looked out the window we had 8" in the yard and it was still snowing. We loaded up and off to that comfort zone we went. Guess what! The light was flat the snow was deep and there was not one truck and trailer in the parking lot. Yeha!
I also ride 90% of the time with my wife, just her and I. We have both spent a ton of time in the back country, winter and summer! We know out limits and abilities. Ours are set pretty high. We get stuck all the time. Not that we like it but it happens. It is amazing what you can do when you both know what to do and how to do it. (Team work!)
Like many have said, ride with someone who knows the ropes and that does not mind teaching you. Listen to them, add your own knowledge into what they have taught you. It may take a few years of learning until you will be good to go. Then as you ride year to year you will pick up all kinds different ways to handle different situations on the snow!
Here is a pic of a stuck I had today! My wife wanted to help me get her out but I did not want to take away from her day so I told her I would get it myself.
Oh and yes I am standing up and I am 5'9". It took a shovel and about 25 min. of digging. To get me out of this stuck by myself.
Ride safe and don't let all this get ya down! CE
I may have missed a few things in a few of the posts, but one thing we do is find a riding area that we like close to home. Then ride that area until we are sick and tired of going there, learn every nook and cranny! When you get board of the area venture out of your comfort zone (RIDE OTHER PLACES). Then when the storms rolls in and dump that epic powder that we all dream of venture back into that comfort zone that you know like the back of your hand. Just because the weather is bad and the light is flat and the powder is deep doesn't mean you need to stay home and wait for the next weekend when the sun is out and all the other peeps are beating the heck out of the mountain to go riding.
I myself wait for these days! Today a Tuesday when I got out of bed and looked out the window we had 8" in the yard and it was still snowing. We loaded up and off to that comfort zone we went. Guess what! The light was flat the snow was deep and there was not one truck and trailer in the parking lot. Yeha!
I also ride 90% of the time with my wife, just her and I. We have both spent a ton of time in the back country, winter and summer! We know out limits and abilities. Ours are set pretty high. We get stuck all the time. Not that we like it but it happens. It is amazing what you can do when you both know what to do and how to do it. (Team work!)
Like many have said, ride with someone who knows the ropes and that does not mind teaching you. Listen to them, add your own knowledge into what they have taught you. It may take a few years of learning until you will be good to go. Then as you ride year to year you will pick up all kinds different ways to handle different situations on the snow!
Here is a pic of a stuck I had today! My wife wanted to help me get her out but I did not want to take away from her day so I told her I would get it myself.
Oh and yes I am standing up and I am 5'9". It took a shovel and about 25 min. of digging. To get me out of this stuck by myself.
Ride safe and don't let all this get ya down! CE
Chris have you considered buying a lighter sled then Yamaha ?
fourthmeal
Administrator
fourthmeal
Administrator
We each ride with the small KLIM Nac Pack.
They are "tightly" packed, but everything fits in there.
Next season we will be upgrading to ABS packs.
Chris. It seems that some people think that if you had bought something other than a yamaha, this wouldn't have happened. Like maybe an Ultra as someone's user name suggests. I disagree with those people.
It's probably more likely that you would not have been able to even ride. You would have been in your garage with your son, teaching him things like "This is what happens to a cylinder when the piston or crank comes apart" or "This is what a $160 belt looks like after 400 miles and it blows" and "That's why I made your mother take those extra shifts down at the mine" or "This is how you make some nice planters out of all those empty gallon jugs from our $40 snowmobile oil." (I've seen some of the planters around here in Jefferson County) Or you could have been fighting with the dealer about back ordered parts not coming in for your "feather" sled and asking why it's not under warranty. All of that sounds way better than actually having a sled that runs day in and day out.
I guess either way, you would be spending quality time with your son. I'm glad you made it out okay and didn't have to torch one of those awful yamahas to keep warm.
It's probably more likely that you would not have been able to even ride. You would have been in your garage with your son, teaching him things like "This is what happens to a cylinder when the piston or crank comes apart" or "This is what a $160 belt looks like after 400 miles and it blows" and "That's why I made your mother take those extra shifts down at the mine" or "This is how you make some nice planters out of all those empty gallon jugs from our $40 snowmobile oil." (I've seen some of the planters around here in Jefferson County) Or you could have been fighting with the dealer about back ordered parts not coming in for your "feather" sled and asking why it's not under warranty. All of that sounds way better than actually having a sled that runs day in and day out.
I guess either way, you would be spending quality time with your son. I'm glad you made it out okay and didn't have to torch one of those awful yamahas to keep warm.
Hope springs eternal!I am an awe about the statement in bold...thanks. I never imagined reconciling with you. I may be one opinionated/passionate SOB, but I don't think I am close-minded. Here I am posting on SW again...wow...I wouldn't have imagined. Will I be an active member like I once was? hmmmm...baby steps
If you and I can find a way to have a dialogue without putting a knife in each other's back, then there really is hope after all !!
And yes, I agree with you 100%
You are an Opinionated/Passionate SOB, but you are also NOT close-minded!!
Your accepting my invitation proves that.
Oh, I "AM" challenging myself alright. I just bit off a bit more than I could chew this last weekend!! I will continue to work on my skills every opportunity I get. Hopefully I will get out again this weekend.I am glad you have learned from this experience and from experienced sledders on here. I truly learned a lot from other sledders when I was beginning to ride. Hell I still learn things. No one is a perfect rider or a perfect survivalist....there is always room for improvement. There is no shame in telling someone you are new to the sport and asking for help. I sure as hell don't know anything about scuba diving.
Ya, Brand Loyalty runs MIGHTY DEEP around here.
I know the Ski-Doo Xp is a whole lot lighter than my Nytro. I rode them for 2 years before I bought my Yammi. But the Nytro can still outride me all day long. My skills are whats lacking, not the sled.
That is exactly what I have done this season.
I have ridden in Island Park almost every weekend.
I am trying to learn all the trails, all the junctions, all the general "area" by heart so that I know where I am at all times, regardless of conditions.
And I am FAR from being Sick and Tired of IP.
There is still loads of terrain for me to explore!!
fourthmeal
Administrator
I thought Yamaha retired the Johnny Skeptical bit.
Apparently they have more work yet to do.
well this has been a great great thread....kudos to all the informative..positive posts ...yet as well some spanking which has been mostly with good intent...
Is everyone being nice or have you deleted all the posts in this thread that you didnt like. truth of the matter is you screwed up big and you got lucky...some arent as lucky. It is a learning curve and you came out ahead of the game. Even as a flatlander I could flame you all day for the pizz poor decisions you have made. I have to drive over 10hrs to be able to ride in the mountains and yet if the conditions are poor I would have no problem turning around and heading back to the motel....
Fact of the matter is you were riding above your skill level and what bugs me is you knew it yet you continued on. You go on saying this was a learning experience but why in the world would you put yourself and your kid in that predicament when you knew full well that you were out of your league. Chit happens and you gave up. Great quality to have as a father figure.
Fact of the matter is you were riding above your skill level and what bugs me is you knew it yet you continued on. You go on saying this was a learning experience but why in the world would you put yourself and your kid in that predicament when you knew full well that you were out of your league. Chit happens and you gave up. Great quality to have as a father figure.
many years ago my brother an i were caught up in that area. got out but was after dark.
every mountain rider i know has 'a story' and many of us have dodged bullets. nice to hear everyone ok.
PS - that sure looked like great snow!!
every mountain rider i know has 'a story' and many of us have dodged bullets. nice to hear everyone ok.
PS - that sure looked like great snow!!
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