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Un-sticking stuck sled

L

loneski

Free Member
Me and my partner use our sleds for back-country access for powder skiing and are trying to put together some equipment for self extrication/extraction when the terrain becomes our worst nightmare.
We have assembled Maasdam 3/4 ton 1/2" rope puller and some pulleys. Most of where we go has trees to tie to.
Does anyone have any "secrets" they'ed like to share?
We are already carrying emergency (sleeping bags/pads, bivies/shelter, stove, etc.) and first-aid (SAM splints-long and short, bandage/dressing, etc.) gear on our sleds in dry bags and don't want to over-load.
So weight is an issue.
Rope puller and 1/2" rope is heavy-15 pounds.
Any better set-ups?
Thanks.
jim
 
This is a good one for me. Some of my best memories and experiences and current funny conversations were learning how to get unstuck in the beginning. I built highways, I dug to china, I made escape routes for when I screwed up. I quickly learned to immediately tip the sled on its side when trenched. Snow is still soft and not settled into the track and skid and side panels etc.
 
Holy cow! You aren't a grain farmer are ya? You ought to be able to move half the mountain with that!

CO Powder said:
Get a decent sled, learn how to ride it, carry a big shovel, problem solved. Ropes and winches? Seriously?

BIG shovel...
Click to expand...
 
When stuck on a hill, the sooner you give in and quit fighting it, the better you'll be.

When you admit defeat, with your shovel dig out a platform so it's not high-centered. Pull the sled horizontal to the hill without rolling it downhill.

When the snow softness and terrain permit, you can roll the sled downhill a turn or two out of it so it stand back upright.

With experience and practice you can be very efficient.

You have to get snow under the track and have the bellypan clear.
Some sleds you can get partway dug out, and then you can just wiggle and pin it. :)
 
If it seems like you're going to get stuck, stop gassing it before you really "spin out." If you do that, you can avoid most lifting of the rear end. If not....well, it sucks to lift out something below you feet.

Walk a little trail in front of it so it has something to bite on, stomp down the snow under the belly pan, clear the snow from under the running boards. Depending on situation, sometimes its better to have someone ride it, another give a big tug on the ski and just pin it. OR...have someone tug on the ski, and the other stand to the side of the machine, push on the handlebars and just lightly "burp" it out with small amounts of throttle.

If it's stuck pointed up a steep hill, usually easiest to roll it given the snow is somewhat soft.

Never had any extrication equipment other than a shovel and folding saw, so can't comment on that. Oh ya....get a folding saw....lol
 
CO Powder said:
Get a decent sled, learn how to ride it, carry a big shovel, problem solved. Ropes and winches? Seriously?

BIG shovel...
Click to expand...

Give the op a break, not everyone thrashes meadows with a grain shovel:noidea:. Get out of the meadows and in the trees, scout some cliffs and serious side hills. You may find a use for ropes and winches.

To the OP...
These rope ratchets work great in conjunction with the snobunje as pictured below.

41SABbDxVIL._SY355_.jpg


attachment.php
 
My old SOS shovel had a saw.
My new Dozer doesn't have a saw. Miss my saw sometimes.
Going to have to put a folding saw in my backpack.
 
I will admit, I rarely even have to take my shovel out anymore as I've logged more miles over my last few seasons on the snow.

Paying attention and quiting while you are ahead is key. removing snow around the boards and packing out in front is another big deal. Rolling the sled over is also pretty much the solution to 90% of the stucks I seem to get into lately as well.

I always keep a section of rope in my pack in case we need to tow or something. that little snowbungee cam deal is basically just a fence tensioning tool, so then you got a tow rope and that. not a bad idea. Might have to swing by the local ranch supply and grab one. sure does help

But I would say, a decent shovel with a long handle and a sharp folding saw should get you out of just about anything.
 
CO Powder said:
Get a decent sled, learn how to ride it, carry a big shovel, problem solved. Ropes and winches? Seriously?

BIG shovel...
Click to expand...

You are the first "BADA$$" rider I have seen use a PLASTIC shovel. Pull your head out!!
 
Well before you start railing on the plastic shovel, do you know what is in his pack?
A metal shovel is a must for avy debris or rescue but ain't nothin wrong with that steam shovel strapped to the tunnel.
I carry more than one shovel with me.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk
 
I carry a big metal shovel on my tunnel. It's main purpose is for an Avy. Amazing how much more snow I can move versus my plastic shovel in my pack
 
jmom said:
Give the op a break, not everyone thrashes meadows with a grain shovel:noidea:. Get out of the meadows and in the trees, scout some cliffs and serious side hills. You may find a use for ropes and winches.

To the OP...
These rope ratchets work great in conjunction with the snobunje as pictured below.

41SABbDxVIL._SY355_.jpg


attachment.php
Click to expand...
I'll have to check that out. It looks light weight and offers a 2:1 from the looks of it. Not familiar with the snobunje. How well do they work?
We ski with plastic (poly-carbonate) shovels in our packs, but so far have only had to dig snow pits for stability analysis with mine. It moves a lot of snow pretty quick. Any avalanche terrain we encounter is usually on our ski descent and not our snowmobile approach.
 
loneski said:
I'll have to check that out. It looks light weight and offers a 2:1 from the looks of it. Not familiar with the snobunje. How well do they work?
We ski with plastic (poly-carbonate) shovels in our packs, but so far have only had to dig snow pits for stability analysis with mine. It moves a lot of snow pretty quick. Any avalanche terrain we encounter is usually on our ski descent and not our snowmobile approach.
Click to expand...

Here is a must have shovel from BCA, the Dozer. It doubles as a hoe and an extended handle shovel. The trouble with a plastic shovel is...avalanche snow is rock hard. A shovel with welded receiving ends on the blade which the handle attaches to are a safe bet.
dozer_10x.jpg


In the above picture I used the bunje in conjunction with the rope ratchet to provide enough force to pull the sled backward as I lightly engaged the clutch. This allowed me to get the ski around the large tree truck and down the hill. We have also retrieved sleds from deep creek and steep rock faces using the ratchet and bunje.

You can also grip the red end past the hook or use a recoil handle to provide enough force with your body weight(not your back or arms ) to stretch the bunje and provide pulling force.

Here is some information on the Snobunje SLED TO SLED PULLS.
1. Never pull up hill
2. Always a-arm to bumper, ski loops break
3. Use a favorable angle for extraction, the one with the least resistance.
4. I count to 3 when pulling, take off, and have the person being pulled blip the throttle on 4, just as the bunje stretches and builds force. You will see me counting in the linked video below.
5. Don't bury it when pulling, let off the throttle on 4 as well.
6. I coil mine around the back bumper. http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/images/attach/jpg.gif

The snobunje is a must have for off trail riding. This product has been developed and tested by snowmobilers for years. Pony up and get the real thing, those home-made ones look scary to me.

Here is a sample video showing the magic of the Snobunje.

PM me for a discount on any snobunje products.

check 1:17 in this video for a look at sled extraction with the snobunje.


[/QUOTE]
 
Last edited:
I've used a Snobunjie(Rattler) to pull my Apex. Should be easy to pull a normal size sled.
 
up-high said:
You are the first "BADA$$" rider I have seen use a PLASTIC shovel. Pull your head out!!
Click to expand...

The query from the OP was about getting a sled un-stuck, not avalanche recovery. I bet you a new sled I can dig out more quickly with my plastic grain scoop than you can with your metal avy shovel. The snow here is deep and light, laugh all you want but that big shovel rocks.

Not only is there a metal avy shovel, including a saw in the handle, probe and second hand saw in that pack but there is yet another metal shovel that rides in my ABS pack when we aren't just out playing on the meadows.

Might want to tone down that preaching until you know a little more...
 
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