MIKE HALL: Adventure Motorcycle,Travel, Motorcycle, Overlanding, Backcountry, Avalanche, Snowmobile, Snowboard, Snowboard, Sledboarding, Winter Fat Tire Mountain Bike, Mountain Bike, Ski Patrol @ Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon, Utah, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Jackman, Maine

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

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 Chance for Measurable Precipitation 80%
Snow

Lo 12°F
Wednesday

Snow Chance for Measurable Precipitation 100%
Snow

Hi 20°F
Wednesday
Night

Snow Likely Chance for Measurable Precipitation 70%
Snow
Likely
Lo 7°F
Thursday

Snow Likely Chance for Measurable Precipitation 60%
Snow
Likely
Hi 15°F
Thursday
Night

Slight Chance Snow Chance for Measurable Precipitation 20%
Slight Chc
Snow
Lo 11°F
Friday

Partly Sunny
Partly
Sunny
Hi 37°F
Friday
Night

Mostly Cloudy
Mostly
Cloudy
Lo 24°F
Saturday

Mostly Cloudy
Mostly
Cloudy
Hi 39°F
Saturday
Night

Slight Chance Snow
Slight Chc
Snow
Lo 23°F

Detailed text forecast
Hazardous weather condition(s):

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.


Current Local WeatherMove point forecast map up, and current conditions, radar, and satellite down.
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:
Radar and Satellite (Click for larger image)
Link to Local Radar Data Link to Satellite Data

Detailed point forecastsMove point forecast map up, and current conditions, radar, and satellite down.
Click Map for Forecast Disclaimer
Map data ©2008 Tele Atlas - Terms of Use
Elevation:10027 ft
Get as KML






Friday, November 21, 2008

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.

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.