Search and rescue epidemic

[drew562]

Last year and this year has been insane for the amount of lost sledders. Wtf is wrong with people. Do they not see risk. I have been mountain riding forever and never been close to spending the night. This is a mostly avoidable imo. The decisions your making through the day will determine whether you go home. Plain and simple. As the day light runs out you should be well on your way out. No more playing or exploring. The back country will be closed and We will be stuck in little riding parks if this keeps up. Big brother will make sure even the stupid come home. Funny how mister big sledders that know it all are the first to break into tears and when they realize they are spending the night. Is dropping into those trees at 1:30 in dec worth risking a night on the hill. I really wish there wasn't search and rescue. You live with your own decisions and could possibly die from them. Mountain sledders should be taught by experienced riders how to be safe and how to come home. Or learn as a group of newbies slowly and methodically. Buying a skidoo xm doesn't make you a back country rider.

Rant over

 

[bingo1010]

although i do agree with most of your post, **** does still happen, snow/fog can easily lead to a missed turn in the trees,. i have been there, travel 5 mins on what you think was the trail only to discover it is not. now if for whatever reason you cant backtrack this is how it starts, add another 10-15 mins of trying to find your way back only to go further into the woods. no one is infailable but we can allways try to do things better. after all the exploring is what appeals to so many of us, the trick is to try and be smart about it

 

[Bnorth]

Too many riders with more money than brains. We've all seen them up there and in the parking lots. It's too easy to go plunk a down payment on a 174 T3 and some fancy gear, log onto the internet and find a place to ride and then go be an 'extreme' rider.

 

[lilduke]

GPS. Don't tree ride without one.

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

Let's be gentle, we don't know the story behind this last missing sledder.
Thanks


Life is good in "Da Hood"

 

[Shredder]

At least we know a few people will never find themselves in a bad situation that they will need help to get out of in their lives. Congrats to anyone that feels that way about themselves. For your info the guy that got seperated is a very low risk rider that goes more for the company, and to watch his son and friends ride than anything else. This was a family trip that has turned into a serious situation.

 

[bingo1010]

very good point, things can happen so easily, trees wells, drops and the like. dont have to be a daredevil to get hurt, hoping for the best

At least we know a few people will never find themselves in a bad situation that they will need help to get out of in their lives. Congrats to anyone that feels that way about themselves. For your info the guy that got seperated is a very low risk rider that goes more for the company, and to watch his son and friends ride than anything else. This was a family trip that has turned into a serious situation.

 

[snochuk]

At least we know a few people will never find themselves in a bad situation that they will need help to get out of in their lives. Congrats to anyone that feels that way about themselves. For your info the guy that got seperated is a very low risk rider that goes more for the company, and to watch his son and friends ride than anything else. This was a family trip that has turned into a serious situation.

It can happen to anyone. Our group was on the back side of Renshaw and it socked in snowing so bad that even with the GPS we could not get back over the switch back (and we ride there a LOT)- we knew we were within about 20 yards but after hitting two rock wind tunnels we went out through blackwater. There are so many safe practices to follow but it is very easy to get cought up in the moment.
1) Go nowhere alone....period. Always a pair at least, three should really be the minimum.
2) First aid gear and formal First Aid CPR training is a must.
3) Survival gear
4) Food
5) GPS, SPOT or Sattilite Phone (We pack the phone - hearing a human voice is reassuring to yourself and family)
6) PLan the above items with your group before you leave home

Hopefully this latest search turns out well.
With some of the comments and questions riders ask there is a chitload of ill prepared riders out there that need to get there poop in a pile or we are far from seeing this problem go away,

 

[bingo1010]

i normally go in and out through blackwater but we were back in there one time when it started snowing that we couldnt even see enough to find a line out that way, thankfully it let up after an hr or so and we were able to make a run for it, that drainage that you have to cross to get to the anthills from the meadow can be a tricky beotch with no vis

 

[Shredder]

It can happen to anyone. Our group was on the back side of Renshaw and it socked in snowing so bad that even with the GPS we could not get back over the switch back (and we ride there a LOT)- we knew we were within about 20 yards but after hitting two rock wind tunnels we went out through blackwater.

I was with you on one of those rides in Renshaw with Curtis and Rick.

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

I was with you on one of those rides in Renshaw with Curtis and Rick.

Pretty stressful when everything disappears.
One of the rules we use is I'm responsible for Ric, Ric is responsible for you and me and you are responsible for Ric and I.
We do regular head counts.
Always looking out for each other.


Life is good in "Da Hood"

 

[snochuk]

I was with you on one of those rides in Renshaw with Curtis and Rick.

Yes you where and we were at Spirit Lake heading north on weasal ridge towards the Morkil River, 20-25km past the Renshaw cabin.

Hope all turns out well for your friend.

 

[Old-Soul]

I can understand the frustration when a season kicks off with so many incidents,

But before posting please keep in mind there's always a very good chance the rider in question will have friends or family here on the S&M.

 

[Shredder]

Yes he does; and any Oilers fans will know one member of his family quite well. They have found him and he is with SAR right now alive and sipping tea.

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

Awesome...Awesome....Awesome.


Life is good in "Da Hood"

 

[Joholio]

Saweet

 

[sumx54]

It can happen to anyone. Our group was on the back side of Renshaw and it socked in snowing so bad that even with the GPS we could not get back over the switch back (and we ride there a LOT)- we knew we were within about 20 yards but after hitting two rock wind tunnels we went out through blackwater. There are so many safe practices to follow but it is very easy to get cought up in the moment.
1) Go nowhere alone....period. Always a pair at least, three should really be the minimum.
2) First aid gear and formal First Aid CPR training is a must.
3) Survival gear
4) Food
5) GPS, SPOT or Sattilite Phone (We pack the phone - hearing a human voice is reassuring to yourself and family)
6) PLan the above items with your group before you leave home

Hopefully this latest search turns out well.
With some of the comments and questions riders ask there is a chitload of ill prepared riders out there that need to get there poop in a pile or we are far from seeing this problem go away,

I too was with you on that ride that day. Things turned ugly quick, kept our heads and you managed to get us all out in one piece. At one point it was so socked in that I lost tail lights, thought I was at a complete stop, stepped off my sled to have a look around for tracks only to realize I wasn't even stopped yet. Watched my sled coast away from me into the abyss. lol. Crazy...

 

[LennyR]

Yes he does; and any Oilers fans will know one member of his family quite well. They have found him and he is with SAR right now alive and sipping tea.

Thats terrific news, glad to hear it. Now i believe it would be certainly justified for many reasons, that the actual accounts and circumstances of this unfortunate mishap to be shared clearly with all who were genuinely concerned and offered their help and hope.

 

[skegpro]

Last year and this year has been insane for the amount of lost sledders. Wtf is wrong with people. Do they not see risk. I have been mountain riding forever and never been close to spending the night. That happens to idiots imo. The decisions your making through the day will determine whether you go home. Plain and simple. As the day light runs out you should be well on your way out. No more playing or exploring. The back country will be closed and We will be stuck in little riding parks if this keeps up. Big brother will make sure even the stupid come home. Funny how mister big sledders that know it all are the first to break into tears and when they realize they are spending the night. Is dropping into those trees at 1:30 in dec worth risking a night on the hill. I really wish there wasn't search and rescue. You live with your own decisions and die by them. Mountain sledders should be taught by experienced riders how to be safe and how to come home. Buying a skidoo xm doesn't make you a back country rider.

Rant over

So a guy with a broken leg in the backcountry should just walk it out lol?

Never called 911 in your life?

Even the most prepared sometimes need help. You will be humbled someday when you dial them three numbers.

 

[arff]

Search and Rescue are important to support all activities. Summer and winter.

Risk a life to save a life

The Sar and Rescue workers will do everything they can safely to help.

Remember them too.