Helping Out Fellow Sledders?

[KFD070]

This sort of came up on a separate thread about how far do you go to help out a fellow sledder in a difficult situation. Lets say, someone you don't know but could really use your assistance. Your first impression of the situation..."you could be there awhile!" I bring this up because last year the wife and I encountered another couple in a very difficult spot. Sled upside down, down over a bank and no real way of bringing it up the way it went down. Had to cut down trees, make a trail and drag it up and out. However, I was so Pi$$ed at how many guys stopped, had a look and buggered off! I couldn't believe someone would do that

 

[polaris dude]

knowing our group, i would say we would stop and help them get it out.

I remember one time this guy and his wife and son were trying to haul up a dead sled(a 600) with another 600 up probably the nastiest hill on the black hills trail system, and they got about 1/4 the way and couldn't get it any further. So we actually stopped and helped him drag them both to the top basicly...I too noticed how many people went by and didn't even attempt to help

 

[whittaker727]

It all comes down to Karma. If you haven't been in the same spot already....you will be soon enough.

 

[KFD070]

It all comes down to Karma. If you haven't been in the same spot already....you will be soon enough.

Exactly!

 

[ADRENALINE]

In my thoughts, I guess it is either help them out and get them headed in the right direction or be called out at 1:00 on search and rescue looking for them. Some people simply don't plan out their day the way they should.

 

[MORSNO]

It all comes down to Karma. If you haven't been in the same spot already....you will be soon enough.

Also, depending on the location of the rider from civilization, the situation can easily become a life or death ordeal (exposure and first aid needs).

 

[Rush44]

I checked "Do whatever it takes", but that is really situational. Around here we know most the the people riding, so we know how they would treat someone else. If we happen to come along a group of jackasses who would normally ride on by.... well, we gloat a little and ride on by.

We are karma in action.... the universe works through us.

 

[thebigtreeman]

Our group ALWAYS stops to help. Even if it looks like they can probably get it out, we always stop and make sure everything is ok. Sledders or not, it doesn't matter.

Last year when we were coming back after a long day of riding. We were loading sleds when a guy approached us and said that two of the CC skiers in his group never came back. We didn't even think twice. We didnt' even wait for him to ask. We knew what to do. There were only four of us left on the hill so we split into two groups and headed off. It took about an hour to find them but boy, were those skiers glad to see us. No jackets, just vests. No hats either. Hell, they would've frozen to death especially since they were at least 4-5 miles from the trailhead and COMPLETELY lost. We gave them some fresh gloves/hats for the ride back.

I swear I've never seen more thankful people than that group of cc skiers. We didn't take anything for what we did but they sure tried to give us stuff. All we asked is that they remember that snowmobilers aren't all bad guys. We're here to help and share the space. It was really nice to see a group of 40 or so skiers so thankful. I'm not sure if we built any bridges that day but I think it certainly helped our cause a bit.

Remember - It can never hurt to stop and ask if everything is ok.

 

[WOODIES]

always stop and give a hand no matter what! its the code! unless its my buddy that drives like a tool then its the 3 rule. after that we just drive around spraying him with snow!

 

[mtn junkie]

I always stop and see if they need help never know when its going to be you. was up horse creek a few years back and stumbeled upon a groupe that had last a rider spent three hours looking all turned out good and found the rider could have been worse

 

[POLZIN]

Stop and help ! then go hunt down azzhats that dont

 

[montanasledder]

Our group always stops and helps. We ran into two guys up on two tops a few years back with a few young kids. One guy faceplanted into a bank and broke his leg badly. they had no provisions to start fire or keep this guy warm until rescue arrived(few hours). we all stayed, gathered wood, built huge fire, covered guy,etc. Lots of people drove on bye. It was Dark as we headed out after rescue arrived,
I hate digging myself out so i always try to help everyone so i know they will help me

 

[cpsandsons]

We always stop and help. Never know when we will be in the same situation.

 

[14longshot]

At least stop to see if every thing is ok. One time about 2 miles out of Albany Lodge found a family of four on the trail with one sled over a small cliff. They were trying to ride it strait up and that was not working so well. So we turned it down and put our best rider (150lbs) on it and he took it through the trees and side hilled it as far as he could. Then we put ropes on it and drug it the rest of the way. When it was back on the trail they thanked us and offered us a round at the bar. Later that night at the bar they seen us and must of forgot.

 

[Cyle]

Always stop and help. Even though haven't recieved it in return many times. The one time we didn't was when we met up with a group from where we were staying. We were following them, I got stuck and all of them rode by me and didn't say anything to my group(they were ahead of me), they had no idea where I was. Wasn't really that bad, but pissed me off. Funny thing is, after getting me out, then stopping for lunch we continued up maybe 5 mins and see them on flat ground pretty much, 3 sleds burried them sitting there, and wondering why we didn't stop to help them. It was nothing bad, just lots of digging.

Probably the worst was when it was my first trip to the mountains, I was going up a decent hill, rolled my sled. A few mins later I was still struggling to turn it right side up when some a$$hat roars right beside me, very close and acts like I shouldn't be there.

Other then that had good experiences. The only way I wouldn't stop and help people is if they didn't the same to me (as long as it's nothing serious) or if they've been drinking lots. I would not hesitate to leave people that are drunk and sledding.

 

[WYsteph]

I've had lots of people stop and give a hand when things go badly and we do the same.

One time I was riding the old phazer and it won't start and the rest of group didn't notice that I wasn't with them. A bunch of guys on new "big" sleds etc, stopped and tried to help start it (it didn't like to start when it was really cold out.) They ended up breaking the pull cord about the time my dad came looking for me, lol, but I kind wish I would run into them and tell them thanks again.

 

[Ollie]

Been there, done that.
Stayed and helped em get out (4 hours to drag the sled back up) and then worked with em for another 3 hours to teach them some basics on how to ride.

Agree with the above.
Carma can save you or crush you, depends on how much good stock you have built up.

 

[chris79]

It all comes down to Karma. If you haven't been in the same spot already....you will be soon enough.[/QU

This is so true, always help because it WILL happen to you sometime

 

[KFD070]

Some good points brought up. Guys who passed you by when when you were in need, or the drunks....seen em both in trouble and maybe I'm weak but stopped in both cases to give a hand. Really wanted to pass em by but if tomorrow's headlines showed "missing sledding party found stiff and cold", I'd have a tough time living with myself.

 

[arfrce]

I agree I would stop and help even if he could dig him self out. I mean who really wants to set there and dig snow instead of ride? If they say they don't need help they are just being modest.

Plus when you carry a real bunji strap it Yanks a sled outta the snow so fast. I usually use it to pull people out of mud or snow. Works good on sleds too.
Since I am parially handicapped I always stop and help. I know I will need it in return some time.