Posted: 2/9/2011 9:52:29 PM EDT
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The wife and I are invited to a fairly posh cabin for the weekend and will have access to some snowmobiles.
Other than basic preps, what are some good things I may want to bring? I will post an AAR with pics. Update: So this was a pretty exciting trip. We drove on a main road and parked our vehicle. The owner pulled up in one of these: 
The SO and I loaded up our bags and we drove up a trail to the cabin which was located at about 9,500 feet. Here is the view out of our room: 
This thing was massive. 10 bedrooms. 2 lofts that could hold about 40 people comfortably. Initially I thought we were going to be doing some back country snowmobiling. We ended up just taking the machines out on the field below the cabin, a field that was aprox. 200 acres. I did get my machine stuck at one time. When I slowed down to look at a stream my tail end sunk. I tried to get unstuck but could not move the heavy machine out of the waist deep powder. I just sat back on the machine and relaxed until one of the two of the other's up for the weekend came by and helped me out. It was quite warm during the day. Upper 40's. I ended up just wearing a sweatshirt when we were out on the snowmobiles. |
| Warm gloves (preferably Goretex), windproof warm jacket and bibs (preferably goretex), and depending on temps, polypropylene long johns and/or fleece mid layer. Bring a flashlight, compass, trail maps, water, and cell phone. Bring a good balaclava so your neck doesn't freeze. For trail riding, an electric shield is best, but if you don't have access to that, a no-fog mask will help (deflects breath away from shield and out of helmet). Have fun... |
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several pairs of gloves in varying weights.
The modern snow machines all have heated handlebars and throttle levers that keep your hand warm, I generally ride with an uninsulated pair of mechanics gloves or thin leather gloves mostly for wind protection. they give you better feel/control than ski gloves. You should have appropriate gloves for when you're off the machine away from those lovely electric hand warmers. This is where the ski type gloves come in. If you're going to be on trails without other travelers to give you mutual aide, snow shoes for the walk out. Have fun. I just had a nice long weekend winter camping off of snowmachines in the Adirondak mountains. Also don't forget plenty of water, you still need it even if it's cold. Protect it from freezing. |
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For future reference, a beacon, snow probe, and a foldable snow shovel should be on your person at all times. Unless you're in thick trees, you can pretty well work yourself out of any situation with a shovel and a bit of patience.
Curious to know where you went - my family has a cabin up Weber Canyon, we'd park at the end of the paved road near Smith & Morehouse and go from there in the winter. Lots of days (and nights) stuck in chest deep powder. |
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Quoted:
For future reference, a beacon, snow probe, and a foldable snow shovel should be on your person at all times. Unless you're in thick trees, you can pretty well work yourself out of any situation with a shovel and a bit of patience. Curious to know where you went - my family has a cabin up Weber Canyon, we'd park at the end of the paved road near Smith & Morehouse and go from there in the winter. Lots of days (and nights) stuck in chest deep powder. It was in that general area. |