WHAT TO LEAVE BEHIND: A few thoughts after our unplanned night out in Revy.

[sled-fiend]

Last Monday night due to some mechanical issues and poor visibility we ended up staying on the Mountain. I figured I would share some of our personal flaws and after thoughts. Hopefully it will help someone who has overlooked or forgotten to take the time to think it through. First off I will say that what information you leave at home is just as valuable as what supplies you bring to the mountain. We were fully prepared with 2 gps units, frs radios, abs/snowpulse bags, beacons, probes, emergency gear, saws, etc. But none of this helps the people you leave at home who take it upon themselves to assure that everything is done in their power to assist you out of the backcountry when you don't return as planned. I know it it discussed often on what to bring with you. So I figure I'll start a thread on what to leave behind

First off be sure that everyone's family and significant others have contact information for all the other riders contacts. IE. Your wife has your friends wife's number and everyone has a way to contact and update each other in the event of an emergency.

Leave a detailed list of what you have for back country gear. When SAR gets a call it is very helpful if they know what you have for equipment. IE. FRS radio, SPOT beacon, GPS, etc.

Include on your sheet a description of your snowmobile clothes and sled. This is also useful information.

The obvious is to leave a Plan of where you are heading in Detail. Not just REVY lol.

We used or GPS to get out the following morning when we had some visibility. Take the time to familiarize yourself with exactly how the compass works on your particular model. On the Rino when we put it in "Pan Map" the compass swings around and makes you think your facing the wrong direction. Didn't take long to figure that out but something to take note of.

Have a safe season

 

[sled-fiend]

A few more to the list!

Vehicle Info - make, model, license plate
Hotel info so they don't have to look it up

 

[xrated]

good stuff.

over in the spokane thread last year we made up a rider contact list with numbers and a contact person in the event of an emergency. This way if someone isn't back home, their wife, etc can call whoever they were riding with, or that persons contact info to see if they know what's happening.

Not perfect but a good start.

 

[cappel]

very useful information. Glad everyone made it home safe. A lot of things were mentioned that I just assume my gf knows ie. wifes phone numbers, snowmobile model, clothes descriptions.

 

[RGM]

That the beauty of Spot, no one needs to worry if your just stuck for the night

I have my OK set so it says don't worry if we are stuck we will check in everyday, Then if you don't checkin they can worry.

 

[RACINSTATION]

This is all very good information. Spread the word. Hopefully more people will look on here. We all need to hear about it!

 

[Blu Du]

good post

 

[PhantomCat]

Very informative post...thank you ! A lot of people take it for granted that every one knows what to do if you don't show up the night you are suppose to. This is one of those things that is rarely talked about with the one that is at home. BUT it is the most important thing you can do !!

One more thing to add...if anyone in your riding group is medically trained, it would be good info for SAR .

Our group is made up of SAR..Med..Fire peeps..so we all have the correct info for our rescue if its something we can't handle. Due to my wife riding with me my folks have the call sheet and instructions to get the ball rolling.

Thanks again

 

[RMKcowboy]

Very good point, and excellent thread! We always try to make a point of letting those staying at home know where we will be going for the day. Writing down details of what you ride and wear is a good idea I had never thought of, I know if someone asked my mother in law "what kind of snowmobile does he ride" she might know what color it is at best!

 

[Van Epps]

Great post! I know I am guilty of giving a general desc of the area we are riding instead of specifics. I will be leaving more detailed descriptions from now on, along with a list of gear I carry.

thanks for the idea!

 

[rhein1969]

If you have a SPOT beacon, I'd put in your Help message (not the 911 message). What FRS channel and Sub Channel you are monitoring.

My message is something like:

I'm ok, but need help. Call X at XXX-XXX-XXXX or Y AT YYY-YYY-YYYY. Monitoring FRS chanel 1 SubChanel 0

The two names are the two people I ride with the most and would have the best idea of where I am if they aren't with me. Usually it's one or the other, if they are both with me I change the message.

 

[Kingston Turbo]

life is better if you use your brain!

its great to see conversations of sledders helping each other! my group goes preppared for all night even if its a day ride, and to help the ones who do not. see a lot of people every ride who spend tons of $$$$ on power and light weight, no pack, beacons, avy gear, etc. guess they dont care about their lives,the riders with them or their familys. the lack of these few survival items wont get you up the mountain any further. THESE ARE THE GOOD THINGS THIS SNOWEST SITE DO FOR ALL THE SLEDDERS ! RIDE SAFE AND LEAVE ALOT MARKS ON THE HILL!

 

[Kevin]

Make sure the folks at home know what FRS channel and sub channel you use.

Also, cell phones can often send and receive SMS (text) messages even when they can not make a voice call.