Wyoming >> Colorado = Sledboard Powder

Packing the truck and sled trailer and driving to Wyoming tonight, 15 hour drive. Catch some sleep in the truck on the way. Sledding by 11:00am Sun. Maybe 2 days there, then into Colorado. Sounds like very good snow out there right now, 5-6 feet in the last week. This is an exploring and break in the new Dragon. Try to update along the way... I am going to be roughin it this trip. Keep costs down. Good Times!!

Snowmobile Snowboard Rack System

The pictures are from a posting I did Dec. 2007. I have been using this system for 4 years. It shows the rack system I mounted on my sleds. The racks come in handy for snowboards, avy shovel (carry one shovel on the sled, BUT you should always carry a shovel in your pack at all times), ski poles (a pole can come in handy in certain snowboard situations).

At the time I had a 2005 800 RMK 159 and a 2008 700 RMK 155. I just traded off the RMK 800 for a new 08 Polaris Dragon 700 155. It is the same set-up as the 700 RMK. That's the project this week is to get the new sled set up. I'm heading out to Wyoming and Colorado this week-end, Dec 6-7 for about 5 days. I am going to use this trip to break in the Dragon and explore different areas.

As I post this it is snowing in the mountains, They got 2 - 3 feet last week-end so the weather is looking good!!

Snowboard rack on 08 RMK 155"

Snowboard / Shovel rack on 05 RMK 159"

Using the 4-wheeler gun racks to carry our snowboards. Clamp them on bumper and drill 2 holes into bumper and tap a screw through mount and bumper. It keeps rack from turning on the bumper. I've used this system for 2 years. It's light and simple.

On the 08 700 RMK I'm using the Polaris rack system, gas can holder and avy shovel pack also.

The gear bag on the back of the 05 800 is a motorcycle tank bag. It works well cause it has a clear map holder on top. I can carry a 1 person tent (2 lb. 12 oz.) in it , for emergencies.

SnowmobileTrip Preparing

Looking forward to the next 2 weeks, traveling out to the mountains. I've been checking the National Weather Map, it is dumping through Wyoming and Colorado right now. This snow on top of what they got last week-end is making for some good coverage.

Went boarding last night, it is good to get on the snow, maybe once more before Saturday. The plan is to head out to the mountains sometime Saturday. The biggest project before I leave, is to mount up 2 snowboard racks on the new sled and to put the gas can rack on it. I put hand guards on the Dragon last Friday, I'll try them, see if they protect the hands in the snow... or if they just get in the way.

Overnight Snow Lo 12°F Wednesday Snow Hi 20°F Wednesday Night Snow Likely Lo 7°F Thursday Snow Likely Hi 15°F Thursday Night Slight Chc Snow Lo 11°F Friday Partly Sunny Hi 37°F Friday Night Mostly Cloudy Lo 24°F Saturday Mostly Cloudy Hi 39°F Saturday Night Slight Chc Snow Lo 23°F Hazardous weather condition(s): Hazardous Weather Outlook Winter Weather Advisory Overnight: Occasional snow. Low around 12. Wind chill values as low as -5. West northwest wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible. Wednesday: Snow. High near 20. Wind chill values as low as -5. West northwest wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible. Wednesday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 7. Wind chill values as low as -5. West northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Thursday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 15. Wind chill values as low as -5. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible. Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. South southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west. Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 37. Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Saturday Night: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Sunday: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Sunday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Monday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23. Monday Night: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Tuesday: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Laramie/Gen. Brees Lat: 41.33 Lon: -105.68 Elev: 7266 Last Update on Dec 2, 10:53 pm MST Unknown Precip 26°F (-3°C) Humidity: 84 % Wind Speed: N 20 MPH Barometer: 29.89" (1009.9 mb) Dewpoint: 22°F (-6°C) Wind Chill: 12°F (-11°C) Visibility: 10.00 mi. More Local Wx: 3 Day History: Click Map for Forecast Disclaimer Map data ©2008 Tele Atlas - Terms of Use Elevation:10027 ft

Backcountry, Snowmobile / Snowboard Backpack

This is a post I did last Spring. It is a breakdown of the contents of my snowmobile / snowboard pack. Any other ideas, let me know.

What the Heck Ya got in That Pack, Man?

The pack with snowboard attached after a 2 hour snowshoe hike to the top of the mountain. This was in Montana, over New Years 08.

Triple collapse poles from Black Diamond. So easy to pack. We use them snowboarding in the backcountry. They are used to give a push if needed or if you get stuck in a tree well or fall in the deep powder (don't fall, right).

BCA Companion avy shovel, it is a short handle. The avalanche probe fits right in the handle. I like having the probe and shovel together. Very handy, don't have to hunt for either.

Shown apart, probe slides into handle of shovel.

Odds and ends, compass, also reads slope angle. Knife screw driver tool, whistle, orange flashlight, razor blade, carabiners, small pulley, electric tape, pepper spray(critters out in those mountains).

It was up north of Bozeman, MT, Jan 07. I was up in the backcountry and there were Mountain Lion tracks in my tracks from the day before. I kept my eyes open as I snowshoed up higher that day.

Tracker avalanche transceiver, must have and know how to use. The top transceiver is set on transmit. The bottom transceiver is on search. The signal waves travel in a curve, that is something a person has to learn and practice. That is why one needs to take an avalanche course. I have taken a course every 2 years, Level 1, Level 2 and took a refresher level 1 again this last fall. It is like refreshing on my Ski Patrol skills. It keeps you sharp.

Sleeping bag liner, I used one during the wait for Search & Rescue in my accident. I draped it over my head and back to conserve body heat.

Fire starter kit I put together, Small fire starter sticks, matches and lighter.

Munchies, Mix of carbs and protein. Beef jerky, peanuts, energy bars, Power Bars. Energy gels Power Bar Gel and Accel Gel for quick energy.

This is a 2.8 pound 1 person tent for an emergency shelter. I carry this on the sled in a water proof bag. After being caught out in a blizzard 3 years ago it always travels with me.

Rope, high quality climbing rope, about 120 feet of length. Rope is always good. I also carry 130 feet on my sled.

Lightweight climbing harness, ya never know. There's cliffs out there, man.

Headlamp, extra batteries. Extra silk head, face mask. It does get dark and cold out in them there mountains, Vern.

First Aid Kit. I'm sure I carry more than most people. I see what can happen out there, anywhere.

Walkie talkie, that even sounds cool. They are handy when we might get separated, I keep them on a neck cord to throw on quickly. You could put them on scan to pick up a signal.

Clear goggles for dark or an extra set in wet conditions, bandanna use it for any thing, tie a splint, cover face, sling with tape over shoulder. Soft gloves to use when not sledding or boarding. Map of Wyoming, cause that's where the snow is.

All packed away in nice little stash sacks, Each picture of items is in a separate sack. There is room to throw in an extra vest in case.

This is the Dakine Poacher pack. It is very well designed. It rides on my back very good. I can wear it all day. The compartments are well thought out. The best large pack I have owned, and I've had a few. It is too large for, in resort. A backcountry pack it is. I use a smaller Dakine Heli pack in the resorts.