Hill climbing

[brahm]

I've got no problem climbing with my sled, it's the turning around and coming back down part that I suck at.. himarked the group of much better riders I was with the other week, ...and it was a really bad idea, when I went to turn around to come back down, it was just to steep for my current skill level, and I had my weight on the side wrong side and rolled the sled up and over me.. got lucky, no damage... ...but learned a good lesson about where I can, and can't follow those that have way more experience then me.


..but back on topic.. I just got far back, gun'd it and went..

 

[doors4u]

A proper sled setup will help as well. Clutching, suspension and jetting setups make a world of difference. All I ride is a 600 IQ and it is more than sufficient. It will make you a better rider in the long run. Any bone head can make a mark on a hill with an 800. It takes a rider to get there on a 600.

 

[NoSecondChances]

For those of you who don't understand avalanche danger. A hill can be relatively safe and stable as long as the track is going up. As soon as you cut a line across it you can take it from relatively safe to extremely dangerous.

I have had two friends die from avalanches caused by guys cutting lines across the hill. The guys who caused the avalanches lived and just seeing the guilt they have to live with was enough to stop me from being stupid.

Do what you want, but remember it's not just your life you have in your hands. At the very least make sure the guys below you are not waiting for their pull at the bottom of the hill when you do it.

Yes, this is totally true! I know three guys that have died sledding - two in avys. There was a guy in Grand Forks, BC up the North Fork that died just last week (was talking to some of his buddies Sunday this week when we were out riding in the Kootenays) this is exactly the same thing that happened! One rider cut across the hill and broke it loose, that guy managed to ride off to the side and get out of the way, the guy that died was picking his way through the trees at the bottom, getting lined up for his run, just came out of the trees to start his run and got hit by the avy full force head on - poor guy never even saw it coming or had a chance to get out of the way. I second what Why Not says - be careful out there.

BTW - "relatively safe" is a relative term. Relative to what? If the avy danger is considerable or higher, I ride the trees in the earlier parts of the year and leave the bowls to the later part of the season when it hopefully has stabilized a little more - however it is all "relative" to the snow conditions in your area - dig a pit and found out what the layers are saying. Never rely on other people and the weather networks to tell you what the snow conditions are saying - this is how people die.

 

[OuraySledder]

My experience riding with my buddy on his sons '07 600 ho 155 is that...nice sled, awesome in the trees, meadows and trails but it isn't much of a climber. He is a very good rider and we exchange himarks all day long on similar 800's. My 800 vs his 600ho is a no contest proposition. No matter how good you are, it will never mark with a bigger sled.

There just aren't that many "tricks", it is a horsepower and wieght thing for the most part.

 

[Rmk/lolos]

totally true no second chance its sad..

I have been riding for a long time, the big thing know a days with modern technology these stock sleds will take you places you shouldnt be, make a rookie fill like a veteren. make sure you ride your comfort level. trust me im one of those guys that like the high mark and setting the tone but know that im 40 a little more cautios.


lolo
(when in doubt throttle out)

 

[Himark]

I have no respect for track poachers unless you need to make it up that hill to continue riding with your buddies.

If it is just for bragging rights in some bowl...Track poachers deserve a kick in the nuts.

Braaap:

Do your best, climb as high as you can, try different techniques til you find what works for you. Try standing farther forward/backward on the machine, tighten that limiter strap up, etc. Do the best you can and have FUN! if you don't make the highmark, no one will fault you for it with a 600 against some 800's, as long as you are out there doing the best you can and having fun! I don't get too worked up about highmarking, since there will always be someone with more HP who will come along and beat it eventually. I spent too many years riding with guys who were only concerned about making the highest mark on the first hill we arrived at, when we should have been exploring and boondocking and discovering and finding cool little spots to play in.

Geeeez....give the kid a chance! He SAID he is trying to keep up with bigger machines knowing he is out gunned...and you want to kick him in the nuts for trying to do all he can! Get a life. Its all in fun and that is why I am out there anyway and if some kid wants to follow tracks I dont give a crap.

 

[THEPOLISHPUNISHER]

You are going to have to side hill the chit out of that sucker to make it where the big sleds do. I personaly give you alot of credit for staying with the 600. The only thing that makes a snowmobiler better is riding a sled that is under powered. I get asked all the time why I ride a M7 (I am 230 lbs) and my coment is why would I need any more power if I can go where the 8's do? Keep on the 600 and you will become a much better rider over time. Anyone can point a sled up a hill!!!! My 2 cents.

PS. I do agree with the people who are on here talking about avys. Dont go cutting across a big open sidehill with a fresh 3' of snow.

 

[sandrailboy]

i ride a 600 also and have watched alot of hill climing i myself figure the only reason to clim the hill is to see whats on the other side ...........my question is about handle bar placement on my sled when i got it it was set up with the bars basicly straight up do you get a bit more control if the bars are on the same plane as the stearing shaft ...and do the taller guys put taller risers on them........i am haveing a bit of trouble getting use to the iq over my edge

 

[Double A]

Ever watched a downhill ski race? Ever notice how they pre jump to keep from catching too much air? They can carry more momentum/speed by doing this, resulting in a faster time to the bottom. You can do the same...only uphill.
Keep your sled in contact with the snow as much as possible. Try to make the lightest footprint possible. Suck up all the bumps with your knees when you climb. Your clutching will work more efficiently too.
You'll climb higher.
Not that every climb is bumpy...but it works when it is.
Works for me.

THE POLISHPUNISHER ROCKS!

 

[JungleJim]

I agree with Double A. Avoiding bumps as much as possible is key to keeping your track speed up so making your own run up approach may be the best. Take the time to plan your hillclimb at the bottom, noting key points of no return and also your turn down options so you don't find yourself having to avoid trees or cliffs on the way back down. When I was learning I would go to the side of a bowl my more experienced buddies were riding and practice, practice, practice transfering quickly from one running board to the other a tight side hill turn at the top - both ways, throttle side & brake side. This will build your confidence as well. With a 600 don't be afraid to take the time to do a few practice pulls, let your buddies set up the approach run and have them hit it. As they are waiting for their clutches to cool down after 15 minutes of hitting it, you can take your first serious pull on a set up track and you will be amazed where you will go. Don't worry about track poaching at this point as its all about having fun and getting better yourself. If you are going head to head against a similar sled then you both can agree not to track poach to make fair.
Have fun and good on you for getting out and riding what you can. If I had waited until I could afford the sleds I have now I would have completely missed out on twenty years of good times!

 

[curt234]

After you made a mark on the hill, ride the same track.

 

[NoSecondChances]

Geeeez....give the kid a chance! He SAID he is trying to keep up with bigger machines knowing he is out gunned...and you want to kick him in the nuts for trying to do all he can! Get a life. Its all in fun and that is why I am out there anyway and if some kid wants to follow tracks I dont give a crap.

Actually, I applaud Braaaap for trying his best to compete with higher class sleds and for looking for ways to improve his riding abilities.

Go back and re-read my post: If he needs to make it up a hill to keep riding with his buddies (i.e. they make it up and want to drop down the other side), then I have absolutely 100% no issue with track poaching. No one wants to be left behind for a stupid thing like they can't make their own line up some hill. If you poach to get a highmark and then say you got the highmark, you are a liar, plain and simple. Like the guy on the 488 Phazer that poaches your line to put up the highmark. Nice. But it is disrepectful to the person who cut the first trail that you just rode up, to say that you beat their mark LEGITIMATELY. All things are not equal if you poach to get a highmark, you are riding someone else's line on their path that they chose. Maybe you wouldn't have chosen that line had they not already gone there. Maybe you would have only made it 1/2 way up without their line or their packed track. And to say that you would have still put the highmark up without them is disrespectful IMO. Sure you will learn from following their line, but to me, if you tell people you got the highmark (by poaching), its like claiming 100% of the credit when someone else does 90% of the work.

It's just my opinion remember.....

 

[rasp112]

I think its hilarious how people get so butt hurt about what other peoples advice/opinion is on this site.. i totally agree i dont think anyone should take credit when someone else did all the work.. And heaven knows i would neve go side hilling along a steep untouched slope..

But everyone has really given me good pointers on climbing.. I asked just to learn better techniques that will make me a better hill climber.. i could care less if the high mark is 200 feet above mine. i just want to know i got as high as I can on my sled.. Ive practiced a lot onboondocking and riding tight trees and sidehilling and such and think i have a great hold on that stuff!! The RAW chassis is awesome in my opinion. I just recently started to get more interested in hill climbing and noticed i didnt know what the crap i was doing.. but i think these pointers will help me get the most out of my 600!!

Any mod suggestions for an 07' rmk 600? what would be good to do on supesnsion? limiter straps? clutching? gears? etc.

 

[snowmobiler]

i do what ever it takes to get a highmark.whether it b track poaching,unhooking your plug wire or even saying that somebody elses highmark is mine.LOL

 

[FreeRide Films]

Filming

I agree with everyone, i went from an F7 to an M7 which obviously is a world of differance but track speed is everything when your on a small sled, Get that thing wound tight at the bottom of the hill and keep your speed up. I was able to do just about everythiing the long trackers were doing just for the simple fact that i knew how to handle my sled...(cept in way deep powder..) Anyways here's my plug..


FreeRide Films is headed out west on feb 25th for a 2 week trip, We are going to Colorado for 4-5 days and then we are looking for people to meet up with and film anywhere out west.

If you have a performance shop and need some free exposure- we'll come film your shop. Then we can head out into the backcountry and you can show us what your products can do. We would love to meet some mod/turbo guys to film with and promote your products.

E-mail me at tagracer@hotmail.com or give me a ring 320-420-1351 (Tony) Tell me about you or the group you ride with… Hopefully it works out and we can come out and do some filming!!

 

[Bubba700]

On that chassis it has a sweet spot for me when climbing. I put my feet right about where the letters start on the seat and it sure seems to climb alot better if I am back there. Might help. Also try throwing some lower gears on your sled. Works wonders on the 700.

 

[snowmanx]

Thoughts on trackpoaching

Actually, I applaud Braaaap for trying his best to compete with higher class sleds and for looking for ways to improve his riding abilities.

Go back and re-read my post: If he needs to make it up a hill to keep riding with his buddies (i.e. they make it up and want to drop down the other side), then I have absolutely 100% no issue with track poaching. No one wants to be left behind for a stupid thing like they can't make their own line up some hill. If you poach to get a highmark and then say you got the highmark, you are a liar, plain and simple. Like the guy on the 488 Phazer that poaches your line to put up the highmark. Nice. But it is disrepectful to the person who cut the first trail that you just rode up, to say that you beat their mark LEGITIMATELY. All things are not equal if you poach to get a highmark, you are riding someone else's line on their path that they chose. Maybe you wouldn't have chosen that line had they not already gone there. Maybe you would have only made it 1/2 way up without their line or their packed track. And to say that you would have still put the highmark up without them is disrespectful IMO. Sure you will learn from following their line, but to me, if you tell people you got the highmark (by poaching), its like claiming 100% of the credit when someone else does 90% of the work.

It's just my opinion remember.....

If you just want to see who's sled is going to make it up the highest, in deep snow, then the sled with highest HP will almost invariably win. If that's your goal, no track poaching.

I've never seen a hill where a bunch of guys are highmarking NOT "trackpoach". In my opinion, if everyone is poaching, then its a fair contest and this is actually where you will see more riding skill than just pointing a sled uphill in deep snow. With other tracks you have ruts, soft spots, harder spots, alot more bumps...this is where rider skill comes into play.

I've highmarked many bigger cc sleds doing this, and when they did the same thing, were not able to get any higher.

 

[Sledsniper]

I would agree on the track poaching.
Every where I've been they poach and if you don't join in then forget the high mark.
Then skills really play in .Where to enter the high mark? How to avoid the worst of the trenches? How to keep your speed up?
This is how the good Pro Hill Climb Racers Win Race's.

 

[Sled]

Actually, I applaud Braaaap for trying his best to compete with higher class sleds and for looking for ways to improve his riding abilities.

Go back and re-read my post: If he needs to make it up a hill to keep riding with his buddies (i.e. they make it up and want to drop down the other side), then I have absolutely 100% no issue with track poaching. No one wants to be left behind for a stupid thing like they can't make their own line up some hill. If you poach to get a highmark and then say you got the highmark, you are a liar, plain and simple. Like the guy on the 488 Phazer that poaches your line to put up the highmark. Nice. But it is disrepectful to the person who cut the first trail that you just rode up, to say that you beat their mark LEGITIMATELY. All things are not equal if you poach to get a highmark, you are riding someone else's line on their path that they chose. Maybe you wouldn't have chosen that line had they not already gone there. Maybe you would have only made it 1/2 way up without their line or their packed track. And to say that you would have still put the highmark up without them is disrespectful IMO. Sure you will learn from following their line, but to me, if you tell people you got the highmark (by poaching), its like claiming 100% of the credit when someone else does 90% of the work.

It's just my opinion remember.....

Dude get over yourself!!!!!!! Everyone is out there to have as much fun as you. Why should you give a sh1t about how others ride or what they do. Maybe you should stay the f*ck Home. No whiners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[THEPOLISHPUNISHER]

I agree with SLED in nicer words. I could care less if my buddies stay in my track while highmarking, it is apart of the game. Plus I think it is 100% harder to stay in someones track than breaking your own trail. Just my 2 cents. I know I poach the shi& out of my buddies, I hate to loose. And will do anything to get the highmark.