Just goes to show, It can happen anywhere!

[AkHockey10]

Just goes to show... I hear/see a lot of people putting off purchasing protective riding gear because, they think they dont need it and/or they dont ride in a way to where protective gear will be needed/required or its uncomfortable. Well, on Saturday (2/18) I had the worst snowmobile crash of my life. Fact, during that time I wasnt doing anything that required protective gear. I was just creeping along at a speed slow enough to have the clutches engaged. Then, BOOM it happened. Thank God, I was was wearing my helmet and TekVest as they did their job! - Please, I know its a lot but, spend the money and get protective gear and wear it! Sure it'll take a few times to get use to it but, you just NEVER know what will happen or when. Accidents, can happen anywhere even if you are being careful as careful can be (like I was), In the mountains or flat ground. Ride Safe!

 

[duke1n]

I had the worst snowmobile crash of my life. I wasnt even going any faster than 5 MPH. Ride Safe!

Be careful out there! Know your limits!

 

[AZ800]

Be careful out there! Know your limits!

Hahaha!
So what (or who) did you hit?

 

[hatchers]

bros, i must tell you something that will ****in scare you to death, a product found in nearly everyones home is a killer, statistics show 27 of you will die before you read the rest of this post, wait a sec the phone is ringing....ill be right back, bros

 

[EagleRiverDee]

AKHockey- so what happened?

 

[AkHockey10]

Wasnt intending to share what happened. I just wanted people to realize the importance of safety gear.

Well, Saturday afternoon me and buddy were heading back to the trucks after a few hours of riding the deepest powder all year. We seen weather coming in and decided to call it a day and head back. We tried to beat it but it came in real fast. It was the worst weather (plus flat light) I have ever been in. I was on the "trail" but I'm not sure if I got disoriented or what but I knew where I was trying to go and I was only going maybe 2mph just giving enough throttle to keep the clutches engaged. I am keeping an eye out for any definition of rocks or creeks or whatever. All I see is white. I stop and look a head and see no definition of anything. I get off and walk a few yards to check things out. I Get back on sled and start going again and just a few feet from where I turned to walk back to sled I manage to go off a cornice. I fall 25 feet straight down nose first onto solid flat ground. I feel the sled nose dive and try and bail but I slipped and next thing I know I am falling and falling fast. I couldnt even see the bottom and im not sure if I was on the sled when I hit the bottom. I don't think I was. I don't even know how I landed. I know I landed and stuck, didn't bounce. I look behind me and my sled is 3-4 feet behind me upside down. I wasn't dizzy but I was seeing stars and my head was hurting. My left shoulder, neck & back were in major pain. My shoulder more so. I broke my helmet and sled. I didn't get up for a while just laid there collecting my thoughts. My buddy comes over and checks me out making sure of everything. I get up and we tow out my sled. Driving home was really hard. Today my shoulder is still in major pain and my neck is pretty ok but sore. Back, is fine. I don't have any pics of damage but i do have a pic of the cornice.

 

[glassman]

That just goes to show you how easy it is to get hurt out there, It could have been worse for sure. Similar story with different results. My father in law was out in an area he had been riding for many years. Their group stopped for a lunch on a high viewpoint that they had always stopped at. Bad weather rolled in on them and there was no visibility. His buddy decided it was time to leave and he proceeded to follow him. He says all he can remember is the wind rushing up his helmet. Didn't know if he was going up or down, or even moving for sure. Landed 200 ft down on a ledge. His buddy kicked off his machine and landed in the snow and was ok other than a few bruises. Unfortunately my Father in law held onto his machine and landed right on top of it. Buckled the tunnel in half and broke his back. Hasn't walked since.(25 years) He still swears he thought they were going in the right direction, but they obviously weren't.

The mountains are dangerous for sure, glad your OK.