Night in the Snowies

[rockdog2112]

Howdy Kent and Laura.
I hope the trip home was ok. How are the toes?
I can't say enough how happy I was to hear and see both of you. I would have been on the hill if I could. As it was, I hope life was a little better now anyway.
Like I said, ready to try a polaris yet. hahahahahahah.
It seems that we can learn a lot from an experience like this and from all the info of this tread, we can and should. I know I will change my bag around some. One point I will repeat is that being smart and not freaking out that night is what saved your lives. We can carry the house and still get in a pickle. What ever you do, realize that you did the right thing and are alive to tell the story.
To that I say GOOD JOB.
Make sure and hug that lovely wife of yours tonight and sit a little closer to the fire.
Gotta love a happy ending.
Take care and if your ever back over this away and want to go up. Just holler.

John
ER Staff, and SAR member

John, thanks for the job you and the others at SAR and the ER do.

 

[sevenmacs]

Lots of good ideas for survival packs, BUT no one has mentioned the SPOT, emergency locator, one push of the button and 911 /S&R are notified within about 10 minutes, with exact location, currently available for $ 99.00 after rebate, $99.00 yearly monitor fee

 

[sclwald]

Spot is a great idea. I bought one for the past hunting season since I spend a lot of time in the mountains in the fall. This is the first year I have carried it sledding.

 

[Himark]

Once again the Trails program has let us down! They marked the N-O trail over at least part of three lakes. When you go east of the warming hut they cut the corner of Vagner lake, Then went along the edge of reservoir lake and straight across cutthroat lake which is where they got stuck in the slush at the edge. The trail is poorly marked for bad weather. All the Trails program director had to say was that they shouldn't have had cotton socks on. If you would like to comment on the trails call 307-777-6560 and ask for Brad Hills(program director) phone number. Brad Hills' email ( bhill@state.wy.us ) This wasn't Kent and Laura's fault and I'm just glad they were smart enough to make it through a very nasty night! I'm tired of holding my opinion when their negligence almost killed freinds!!

Trails were not marked a few weeks ago and was white out conditions up that way. I would say even the most experienced navigator out there has potential for dissaster. Marking the trails is a vital part of safety specially for someone that may not know the area quite so well. I have sent an email to Brad Hill!

 

[Hawkeye]

Some trails still not marked today, found a big pile of wood trail markers sitting partially buried in the snow where they quit marking O. Must not need these this year? will be buried in snow soon. Is it OK if I take these home to mark our trails? we're on a budget in Iowa LOL

PS Go Hawkeyes beat the SC Spurrier Gamecocks

 

[safesnowrider]

Good grief when does common sense kick in ? If it is a white out turn around- if you don't know the area- snowmachine with someone that knows the area---jeesh

 

[medbowman]

We are paying for these trails to be marked!! If it's on the trail map it better be marked. Our trails used to be marked and groomed starting the week before Thanksgiving and ended mid-April, now It's almost January and not all trails are marked and not all groomed trails have seen a groomer. You can be caught mid-trail in a storm so don't assume you can just turn around!!

 

[Coldfinger]

Interesting about O trail markers, especially if missing south of Sand Lake between there and NO.

For unsuspecting riders who may decide to take a loup from Quealy to Sand Lake and south on O, it could mean real trouble if they don't know their way w/o markers, especially if they have to turn around and backtrack out because that is a long ride which they may not have fuel or daylight for.

 

[OCDsledder]

We all need to send an E-mail to Brad Hill about the trail marking. We all buy the trail permits to pay for marking them. They need to do their job!! As Chris mentioned, we are getting less service for higher permit costs.

 

[Hawkeye]

If you have never rode the Snowies, I guess you don't understand. The wind can start blowing bad at any moment. This a.m. it was sunny and perfect out, just came in now and its white-out in places. If your on a trail that isn't marked from one end to the other, and the wind starts blowing, you have no idea where the trail goes. Common sense is in marking the trails completely or not at all. Or maybe putting up neon flashing message boards everywhere to show detours??? LOL

Good grief when does common sense kick in ? If it is a white out turn around- if you don't know the area- snowmachine with someone that knows the area---jeesh

PS GO HAWKEYES 10 AM CST 1/1/09 HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

 

[jbmilek]

i have ridden almost every area in wyoming and the snowys and sierras are the only places i've found ungroomed trails marked with stakes.

 

[Gordo]

Guys this year the State would not let the Groomers start until December the 15th.
I was told this at Togwotee last week, many of their trails were not marked on the 25th this year. I do remember the days when none of the trails were marked in the Snowies or the Big Horns so even a poor job marking now is better than it used to be.
It may do some good to let the State know the trail situation but I suspect the funds to groom are just not there.