Winter is Coming...

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

That is a sick vid! Those guys are throwing down hard on the snow. Puts me to shame for not going harder on the water. Guess that's what the 9ft swell is for in the next few days Very Happy

How about a few shared sleds? I'd probably be interested in throwing down if we could get regular excursions going.

How's the avalanche danger up there? Is it mostly flat to get to the kiting area?

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Any time you are in the mtns there is some avi potential. We always have beacons on. There is one spot imparticular that can load up.

Bettyboarder · Wed Sep 05, 07 10:17 am

I have been interested in getting a sled for a while now but I know nothing about them. Do you guys have any links with good information that could help us newbies out. What we should look for, how to maintian them...ect.

Thanks

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Most sleds are two stroke, so not too different than your PWC. Keep the fluids full, carry some extra oil & an extra belt.

I'm only an aspiring sledneck and am by no means an authority on the matter. But look for something that hasn't been beaten on too hard, avoid the short tracks, don't buy a sled if if doesn't start within the first couple pulls, make sure stuff works (hand warmers, lights, etc), look out for bent skiis, arm, etc.

I'd buy something as close to stock as possible-- the more after market sh@t on it, chances are the more its been pounded on.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Steezy

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/for/414314885.htm

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Sep 05, 07 10:42 am

dude, sleds are fun but they are also a pain in the arse and maintenance can be expensive.

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

Pacific high is correct- stay away from modifications - it sounds cool until it breaks down every time you ride.

Also beware of shady owners. A lot of guys selling sleds will warm them up before you get there and you have no idea how long it took them to start it. To avoid this, make sure you tell them you want the engine cold when you get there to see it. Pull the hood and feel around the cylinders to assure it is cold. Then try and start it. If it is warm - buyer beware.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

forrest · Wed Sep 05, 07 2:42 pm

For sure, I wanna kite this winter, the coast is not a viable option unless you live there, and I know PacificHigh got up there on the mountain like every weekend! Timberline isn't very predictable either...

I think I'm going to put away for one, might score one by January. Yo Genek! If you want to split one, I'd be down, we can tow one of us in via a tow rope. I think the road is pretty mellow.

Mark · Wed Sep 05, 07 3:26 pm

you will be able to tow in if you wait till spring. The snow will have to be fairly hard. If you want Pow Pow then get a sled with at least a 151 track and 800cc. Otherwise you will be spending your time "attempting" to get to the back country. Not that that is wrong......

Sledding is a ton of fun.
See pics below for the Right way and the wrong way! Wink

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Man that looks very fun!

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

forrest · Wed Sep 05, 07 11:13 pm

151 inch track fairly common?

That actually works out well because I'll spend a good portion of the season just snowboarding until I finally get bored which happens around late Feb or early March... Then I can get a relatively cheap snowmobile and tow people up to the plains.

Ringorama · Since 01 May 2006 64 Posts Wilsonville

Got to chime in...

If you've never hit a sled before, then I'd suggest a day trip rental. Aim for a rental outfit that rents sleds no less than 600cc. Aim for mountain sleds. 144 track minimum with 1-1/2" paddles. The bigger sleds 800cc with 151 tracks weigh greater than 550 lbs. And digging those sleds out is tough & exhastive. Try and shoot for a sled with less than 2500 miles.

As far as snowkiting goes, we've been lucky enough to explore/scout a few open areas that have wind (occasionally and on the right day) behind Mt. Bachelor and up around Moon Mountain (Broken Top) area.

Elk Lake Resort, behind Mt. Bachelor has both real afforadable winter cabins (rustic log cabins) to run excursions out of (www.elklakeresort.net) and they rent newer mountain sleds (600cc & 700cc Mountain Sleds). Plus they have black butte porter and mirror pond pale ale on tap. This is no 5-star resort, its old and rustic. But if you like being buried in 8 feet of powder that you can access right out your cabin's front door, than this place is for you. If you don't own a snowmobile, you can catch a ride on the resorts snowcat into the resort (1-1/2 hr trip on the cat from Mt. Bachelor). There is more than enough room on the cat for your kites and gear. If you can find the right windy day, sparks lake is a 20+ acre clear WIDE open spot about 10min snowmobile ride from the resort. If Elk Lake is frozen over I believe that it's possible to snowkite on the frozen lake (I have not yet tried it...hopefully this year...been skunked 2 last year). Also up at the higher elevations above the tree lines on the SE face of Broken Top is the a wide open area that I'm aim to hit this winter...I'll make future posts on our successful snowkiting missions and places to go after we concur it...

Shame on me for getting a head of myself...I still don't want summer to end...but planning for the winter season near does hurt...

PM me if you want more details about Elk Lake Resort.

Very Happy

forrest · Thu Sep 06, 07 4:28 am

From what I understand the Plains of Abraham on St Helens face east and hte SW wind we usually get wraps around and makes the place fairly reliable. Maybe PacificHigh can chime in on this? I'd only be interested in buying one if it gets me to a fairly reliable snow kiting location.

For back country stuff, I'd just get a split board as there are tons of locations that you can just skin up to.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

The Plains rawk on southerlies/ sw'lies. It can not be windy down on the Lahar and once you get up higher to the plains its on. The wind seems to accelerate as it comes up and around the mtn.

There are some options that I have not explored for more of a west/nw exposure.

I really want to check go check out some spots around goldendale once we get some good low snow levels.

Forecasters are saying we are gonna have a sick winter-- LA NINA!!

We still have some good time on the water, but snow is right around the corner.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/rvs/414674968.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/rvs/414805654.html -- I want this one!!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/rvs/411172173.html