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

Friday, December 12, 2008

Wyoming & Colorado > Early Season Snowmobile Exploring (watch for the friggin hidden rocks)


First day, Sunday in the Snowy Mt. Range, Wyoming
This is more of the Snowies. The snow is starting to pile up, it snowed 3-5 feet the week before on top of what they already had. There are many exposed rocks and stumps, got'ta watch for bumps in the snow. But many trees and areas to explore. I saw one guy who had hit a rock, he was OK, but brand new sled got bent. I bounced off one myself, tossed me off the sled. No harm done.
Second day in Northern Colorado.
This was as far I could get on Monday in this area. It will be getting more snow. There were exposed creek bottoms, and sink holes. I found some hillsides to fool around on with the new dragon. Good powder snow, You just had to search for it.

The main goals of this trip:

Explore new areas, snowmobile trails.

Explore new ares for future backcountry sledboarding.

Ride at 4 different areas in 4 days of sledding.

Put some miles on the new Dragon.

Snowmobile in, snowboard and snowshoe back up.

Try out some new ideas for backcountry travel.

I'll post later to tell the tales of the trip. GOOD TIMES!!

Saturday, December 06, 2008

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!!

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

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.

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

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Elevation:10027 ft
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