** North Cross Hwy 20 Ride** Open Invite on January 12th

[_AJ_]

The Northwest Glacier Cruisers club is going to host a ride over the North Cascade Hwy 20 from the Ross Lake gate to Washington Pass and back on Saturday January 12th 2008.​

This is an open invite to everyone here on snowest, thier families and friends to come join us on an all skill level ride in one of the most pristine areas Washington has to offer.​

This will definately be a great ride and good time for all.​

Plan on packing some extra fuel and making a day of it.​

We may even pack the cooking tow sled and do some chili etc... in the play area.​

Come meet some new folks and rack up some miles on those sleds...​

Anyone interested????​

AJ​

 

[Soccerd6]

we'll be there - might bring leatherman with us too

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

This is a ride my wife and I have always wanted to do.
Neither of us carry beacons...YET, So I'm not sure if it would be wise for us to go.

 

[_AJ_]

As you know, the right answer is "get a beacon".

We love to have you guys and for the most part it's an easy road ride. There's a good chance that there may be a few extra beacons available. I'm betting many people don't have em yet. If the weather is good, it will be an amazing ride and there's alot of safety riding with a group.

Lot's of Wives going on this ride.

AJ

 

[Mr.prez]

Beacons are a great idea and you should invest in them for you and your wife. About the North Cross its a pretty safe area just stay out of the Avy shoot at the horse shoe.

 

[Superdutytd]

How many miles total? I am interested.

 

[Mr.prez]

IT`S About 45 miles gate to gate plus paly time .

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

As you know, the right answer is "get a beacon".

AJ

I know this will spark a debate and that is not my intention but an even better answer to the beacon question is to stay out of possible slide areas all together.

I have never understood the mindset that says it's ok to put your life, and the lives of others on the line because you happen to be wearing a beacon.

I have done well without one for...Well forever because I don't put myself in the dangerous situations where having a beacon would only help to retrieve my body.

This hiway 20 crossing is a perfect example...I thought I heard somehwere that some of it was prone to sliding so I have not ridden it. Having a beacon would not make the slide any less dangerous, Would it?

Someday I can see that my wife and I will spend the money on a pair of beacons and learn to use them. Until then I will simply avoid the need for one.

Sorry for the hijack, And the ride sounds like a very good time for all. Have fun!

 

[OrganDonor]

I thought I heard somehwere that some of it was prone to sliding so I have not ridden it. Having a beacon would not make the slide any less dangerous, Would it?

Yes, its prone to sliding. Check out the snow wall left last year by slides at liberty bell avalanche zone. The April 13th photo says it all. It must slide alot during the year to leave a 50 foot deep pack. The cat in the lower right corner for reference says it all.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/Passes/NorthCascades/2007/Pictures.htm

 

[_AJ_]

Good pictures there... We do partake in a dangerous sport here and I believe it is impossible to avoid all dangers. We do what we can to minimize risk and we preach safety always to keep it fresh in our minds.

Complacency Kills......

We will have a great time and encourage folks that want to go to be prepared but be smart.

AJ

 

[BigT]

Ad Rev,
You make a good point. There is no question in my mind--stay out of the slide areas and you will have a much less chance of getting caught in one.
However, accidents happen. I doubt anyone thinks they are in slide areas and "take the chance" anyway. I suspect most think it won't happen to me. Never has and never will.
I have taken the classes and am signed up for two more this year. I have beacons (3 of them and yes I would hand one to you if you were riding with me).
If you happen to be riding one day and see a guy get caught in a slide and have no beacon. Imagine the feeling wondering around on the slide area wishing you had a beacon--the tool that may mean life or death for that guy. It could be your bud or the guy you parked next too at the snow park. It could be your wife or could be a complete stranger. The shovel, probe, and beacon are like $350. I'd pay that in a heart beat to know that I have the tools (and the training) to assist in a search and hopefully have a favorable outcome.
Just my two cents

Stay safe out there--I'm praying for the guys on BearPaw right now.

BigT

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

Yes, its prone to sliding. Check out the snow wall left last year by slides at liberty bell avalanche zone. The April 13th photo says it all. It must slide alot during the year to leave a 50 foot deep pack. The cat in the lower right corner for reference says it all.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/Passes/NorthCascades/2007/Pictures.htm

That is A LOT of snow!
I would love to do that run someday but I heard it was only relatively safe in the very early part of the season, before Avy's become a threat.

I know It sounds like I'm putting down this ride but nothing could be further from the truth.
I wish I could go but Personally, I think there is already too much snow pack above the run-out zones.
You folks take a lot of pictures and get them posted here so the rest of us can drool!
I hope the weather is on your side.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

Ad Rev,
You make a good point. There is no question in my mind--stay out of the slide areas and you will have a much less chance of getting caught in one.
However, accidents happen. I doubt anyone thinks they are in slide areas and "take the chance" anyway. I suspect most think it won't happen to me. Never has and never will.
I have taken the classes and am signed up for two more this year. I have beacons (3 of them and yes I would hand one to you if you were riding with me).
If you happen to be riding one day and see a guy get caught in a slide and have no beacon. Imagine the feeling wondering around on the slide area wishing you had a beacon--the tool that may mean life or death for that guy. It could be your bud or the guy you parked next too at the snow park. It could be your wife or could be a complete stranger. The shovel, probe, and beacon are like $350. I'd pay that in a heart beat to know that I have the tools (and the training) to assist in a search and hopefully have a favorable outcome.
Just my two cents

Stay safe out there--I'm praying for the guys on BearPaw right now.

BigT

I'm only lacking the beacons, we do carry metal shovels and probes.
Look, I know all the right reasons for having beacons but sometimes the thought process that those carrying beacons or for that matter, want to sell you beacons gets a little tiring.
Yes, if I saw a slide and I saw a person get caught up in that slide I would want to do everything I could to help that person even to the point of putting my own life in harms way.
I am just very cautious about where I ride and who I ride with and even knowing that, I will still buy a pair someday soon.

But this is not a beacon thread so.....Have an awesome ride!

 

[BroT]

Slide area

Yes, its prone to sliding. Check out the snow wall left last year by slides at liberty bell avalanche zone. The April 13th photo says it all. It must slide alot during the year to leave a 50 foot deep pack. The cat in the lower right corner for reference says it all.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/Passes/NorthCascades/2007/Pictures.htm

Correct me if I am wrong, but this area they are talking about, "liberty bell" is just over Washington Pass heading towards the "horseshoe" or "hair pin curve" as some call it. These pictures are all from that area. This ride won't be going that far.

BroT

 

[_AJ_]

Ya beat me to it

We will be ending the ride above that area and playing up on the flats around rainy pass. The group will not be put in the slide areas going down the hill.

This ride will as safe as we can make it.

 

[dragonflys4me]

I was there on sat dec 29th. The powder was soo deep. My boyfriend used 2 tanks of fuel. He and a coupl of other had to bresk trail for the rest of us. I am going to attempt to put some pic on here for you to see. As for the guy who dosen't know about getting a beaken I would I ask you to do so. We think that the other rider that they are looking for does NOT have one on. I do not have one but I have a feeling that after this my boyfriend is going to get me one as we are friends with the missing persons son. Well I can't figure out how to pu tpic of the ride on here, you can see them at, http://www.myspace.com/whatcomsnowmobilers
Please go take a look. Just click on the word pic under the club logo.

 

[_AJ_]

You can see them at, http://www.myspace.com/whatcomsnowmobilers
Please go take a look. Just click on the word pic under the club logo.

Nice Pics!! Thanks for sharing.

Here's a few that I thought were cool. Looks like a great group of people. We should get our clubs together one of these days.

AJ

 

[Superdutytd]

OK I'm about 90% sure I can come. I could use some times/directions though?

 

[_AJ_]

At this point, we're thinking that we will meet at the hwy20 closed gate about 9:30 am on the Saturday morning.

As far as getting there goes.. it's really pretty difficult

I-5 north to exit 230... Head East on Hwy 20 till you can't go anymore and you see the gate across the highway.

Looking forward to meeting you.

AJ

 

[West Edge Sparks]

I would like to join in on the ride. Do you guys have a club meeting tonight, I have 2 friends along with me that want to join the club.
Thanks, Sparks