Libby Flats Safety in Snowy Range need some help

[rev*baron]

What the heck? What lawyers?
Last time I checked snowmobiling is "Ride at your own risk". So everytime someone gets lost and near froze to death they have the right to sue because the trail wasn't marked well enough? Give me a break. I'm looking for ways to help people out and some of you obviously are just too good of riders to care.

It's no wonder why our sport is dying with so many people that don't care about their fellow riders.

I've been riding for over 40 years, so big deal, it's for the new riders of tomorrow that I want to help. All the lodges and businesses in the area count on people coming out and having a great/safe time and coming back year after year to keep the $$ flowing.

Why do you think they put flashing lights on top of radio and cell phone towers? You don't suppose that might just be for safety for small planes and helicopters or what?

I know when I was young growing up in a small town in northern Minnesota that one of my landmarks to find my way home out of some of the most remote swamps you could imagine was a blinking light on top of our town's water tower. It was a feeling of security and I'm glad is was there to point my way home.

 

[psychoneurosis]

REV I think this is a great idea and it appears that the haters from Pirate4x4 must be migrating to winter rec.

Kind of funny, I ride across Libby Flats all the time and I can recall earlier this year when a good sized group from our club were riding across the flats with a bunch of guys from the SRSC. I think between us we qualified as a pretty seasoned group. By the time we got back we all agreed it was unexpectedly ugly. I could not imagine trying to deal with that with kids or less experienced riders, esp with the large stumps, dropoffs and rocks that are right next to the trail in several locations.

I also think the S&R guys should be helped anyway they can too. Clearly this would reduce the number of times these guys have to volunteer an evening and risk their own safety. This enough of a reason for me to help.

My major concern with this is Forest Service approval. If we can get this sorted out I am game to help. You know how to find me

 

[Rocky]

Great idea Chuck!! I'd support it as well.

 

[Snowmark]

traffic lights too

sorry, the less flashing lights the better, i do just fine with the sticks....any other ways to suck some more of the adventure out of it?

 

[3C Guiding]

Im all for safety, but who is going to maintain and pay for all this? My guides and I are the ones that get calls at 2 AM to go out looking for missing ppl, and they dont get lost on Libby flats trails they get turned around off trail, and ya it happens to everyone every now and again. There are makers, delineator poles... if they need help on the trail stop and someone will come by. Its the off trail ppl getting lost. I have helped ppl get through the gaps more often than I have down the trail. Have any of you gone over the trail system from the glacier to the roller coaster in a white out? not fun, they dont even groom half of that and half the time the markers are gone from the wind. There is bigger fish then Libby flats. If you or the ppl you are with are worried about getting lost, consider a professional guide, and save everyone a lot of trouble. The ones who go out in the middle of the night, look for, and rescue these missing ppl risk a lot for someone that has too much pride to get a guide in an unfamiliar area. Even I get a guide when I go to new places. Last year we had one in cook city and I still won’t go there without one. Not only is a guide trained to get the group home safely when the weather turns bad, but they also know where the good ridding/snow is, even if it has been days without a storm. You can waste a whole trip looking for decent snow or you can ride it right away with a professional, and make it HOME SAFELY

 

[rev*baron]

I'm all for guides and have used them before in new places myself. Problem is most people just wing it and get into trouble. I've stopped and dug out plenty of people that don't carry shovels or have any rope what so ever. We can't cure stupid and that's not the point here. We can't obviously mark all the trails everywhere....that's not the point either.

The point here is simple. Libby Flats + windy + the most major trail riders that pass down those trails to get to their destination = disaster waiting to happen. The comfort of a light shining up there could make it so much better for people for miles around giving them a direction to point to.

I know when I ride in November and late April after the trail markers are removed it can definetly make it a challenge on those windy days.

I still believe a light up top near the lookout would benefit many people...most of them that don't even know the word "Snowest".

Most of the riders reading this are experienced mountain riders and that's why I posted this. I am looking for that "better idea" to make riding safer for everyone.

I personally carry one of those clip on flashing lights that I can clip on my backpack so when it gets ugly I can lead and make it easier for others to follow.

 

[sclwald]

As stated above as a local I love the idea but the cost of the lights for some jack *** to steal them would cause the biggest problem in my opinion. My idea of more orange markers would be better cost effective and probably better accepted by a local club or the state that puts them out already.

Hate to say it but there are too many thieves out there to put that kind of money on the side of the trail. Your idea rocks but I think in the long run it would become cumbersome and expensive to keep up with.

 

[Fireman35]

Im with 3c guiding on the back country needs like the boxes that were put out. Thats a great idea. but i think if your on the trail than i feel like im already back to the cabin cause once im on the trail im no longer concerned about making it back that night. closer orange flags should do it at best. jmo. thanks

 

[WyoPro]

Most of the riders reading this are experienced mountain riders...

Haha

 

[shelbwyo]

First weekend in January i was down in the snowies for the first time, not a real experienced rider, just trying to learn the area and become a better rider. We stopped at the local snowmobile club gathering and had some good chili, then headed out with our guide (local that knows the area well) and started back on the trail. It was slightly foggy and the wind was whipping and the snowing was going sideways, but im pretty sure that it could get worse up there. Our group was following another large group (i think it was some locals from the snowmobile club) and they were taking it slow and being careful. So i followed them back but at time it would have been nice to have some extra lights to guide the way. I think if he is willing to do it to help people out let him. Whats it going to hurt? Sure there are other issues but this gentleman is focuses on helping with this one so lets all encourage him for the betterment of the riders and riding area!​

 

[Mafesto]

This idea probably is not the "best" solution, but at least ist's an idea.

Sounds like lot of you guys think you're pretty smart. Here's your chance boys, throw out your take on improving this situation.......unless you'd rather sit on the sideline & lob grenades like a retarded monkey.