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Showing content with the highest reputation on 01/16/2022 in all areas

  1. markusvt

    Tomorrow we ride

    So we waited for the temperature to warm up this morning a bit from the -28, we left it -24 F Way nicer. Johnny’s Trail from barrage Gouin is the same as in the years past, on the trail for 5 miles, on the road for 5 miles, then the last 20 miles down to the 83. He is grooming the east and west routes. The next 30 miles into parent on the 83 was more than a bit choppy but survivable. The only gas station and store in parent has been revamped and has everything you would possibly need. They are absolutely by the rules, helmet not good enough, Balaklava not good enough. They want you wearing a mask. 8 miles outside of parent to the 13 intersection is also choppy and rough. Next we jumped on 13 down to Fer a Chevelle, that was groomed both directions and completely awesome. Far a Cheval has rules. You can order food though a limited menu and you can eat it inside sitting in a chair, but your inside visit is limited to 15 minutes. They do have an outside fire going that you can hang out next to a picnic table as long as you want, it’s all completely workable. We did a little bit of playing around which is always nice now that the temperature is up to -8° F. The good news of course with the cold you don’t see many sleds even though it is a Saturday. The 13 the rest of the way down and to Notawissi was completely awesome. Again another set of custom rules where they don’t you want you inside for more than 15 minutes. They prepare your dinner and put it in a cooler which you can bring to your room, they have it ready when you want. They do the same with breakfast here they prepare in the kitchen, then they put it in the cooler you pick it up at the time you agreed on and bring it to your cabin. Again rules that are completely no problem at all. Super nice to be on the wood runner trails, as always they do a great job with the signing and the grooming just an enjoyable area to ride in. A whole bunch of Ontario people are over here they unloaded in Mount Laurier and they said the riding all around has been fabulous for them. A bunch of new 2022 Mach Z‘s everywhere . Tomorrow will be the final day for us, it will be the warmest which won’t be a bad thing and then it will be home until the next trip up here. Again the small hassles are way worth it load up and come on over.
    13 points
  2. markusvt

    Tomorrow we ride

    I can’t say enough good things about Notawissi being open again, now being owned by Sylvain, same owner as Meekoos, he is running a top-notch operation. The food is absolutely ridiculous, five course meal that you would get in the city or anywhere could not compete.
    10 points
  3. bonjour mikerider and playhard !!! cold and sunny this morning ...-20c ice circle start to build up because ,slow and spinning water there !!!.....et voila !!! jean-guy
    7 points
  4. revct1

    RDL 2022 Season

    I'm looking at the trail map to see today's ride. We were going to get gas at the Irving station halfway down Pohenegamook but decided to stay on 35 and get gas at the other gas station at the bottom of Pohenegamook. I've never been to it. It is 5 miles off of trail 35. Easy enough to follow the trail. It's another Irving. Looking at the map, to my surprise, we were 1,500' from the Maine U.S. border. The border runs down the middle of the river along the side of road, Highway 289. I've always known we were close to the U.S. but didn't realize it was that close. Jack & Sandi
    7 points
  5. markusvt

    Tomorrow we ride

    We waited until the temperature got up to -22F before we left, which was around 9:15. We headed 13 north which was perfect, same as it was when we came in the night before. The cold temperatures are definitely keeping people off the trails. We did the 25 miles or so up to one of their orange secondary trails that connects over to the 53, it was groomed perfect also and in the past gets minimal traffic. We then jumped on 53 South and went 5 miles filled up with gas at Lunics, (this would make it so we did not have to go into Manawa to get gas). We continued another 8 miles or so until the 33 Junction towards Manawan. All of it was groomed absolutely awesome till we got within 5 miles of Repos, then it was fairly bumpy as to be expected. We did take the side trail which bypasses going into Manawan, as we didn’t need gas or food. The 5 miles south of Repos had taken a whooping also since we had been on it a few days ago. When the trail jumped on the first lake we took a left instead of a right and took the lakes all the way down until it intersects with 33 again. We then rode the trail for maybe 10 or 12 miles which was all unbelievably perfect , (so we assumed it was probably perfect all the way in to Saint Michel). We then jumped off 33 onto the Reservoir at the earliest possible possible opportunity and road to Reservoir all the way back to the hotel. Lots of folks out today on the Reservoir walking, snowshoeing, skiing, ATV, snowmobiling awesome day to be out. Time to call it a trip for this go around and begin to plan the next!
    6 points
  6. They won't sleep in the bush, they have been found safe and sound... https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Frelaislachapelle%2Fposts%2F3170185103221535
    6 points
  7. revct1

    RDL 2022 Season

    We made it a short ride today. This morning it was -26C. This afternoon, after it warmed up, it was -20C, -4F. Yea it was chilly out riding today. I wonder what the wind chill was at say 60 MPH? We went out 5 to the little connector to 526 and went to Pohenegamook via 544. We got on 35 and rode to Louis du Ha Ha. There we took 85, 544 and 44 back to the Universal. It was cold on 85, the railbed. The sleds love making the horsepower on these cold days but you really feel the temps when the speed goes up. The snow dust just hangs in the air. The caboose rider in the train sees nothing but white all day. Sorry Joe! The trails are fine. They are like sidewalks with it being so cold. Even trails that haven't been groomed in a few days, don't show much for wear. No traffic and low temps, the trails stay pretty smooth. The hotel is almost empty. I don't know how many rooms are occupied but I don't think there has been more than a dozen vehicles here at any one time. I remember past years that it would be tough to get your snowmobiles near your room. Now you can put your truck, trailer and sleds all next to each other and not be in anyone else's way. I hope this restaurant shut down doesn't last too much longer. It must be awful tough on the businesses. We are grateful to the ones that have been able to stay open and understand why some just can't. So many of the relais are locked up. It would be nice if they were allowed to open with 50% capacity. You can go in and order, wait inside with a mask but then eat outside? Some day it will be over. Tomorrow we head to Connecticut. We will be back at the Universal Jan 23rd, Sunday night. We hope to see more riders then. Be safe. Jack & Sandi
    6 points
  8. Got into camp yesterday at 4:20 (imagine that) LOL -22 F at camp this a.m first time ever my sled didn’t start. Battery is 3 years old now though. My buddies 1200 with a four year old battery did though, go figure. Found a new spot up on a hill overlooking Lac Chapeau-de-Paille this a.m. curtesy of the logging in the area this year. Never would have imagined the terrain in the area was like this and I have been coming here for 20 years now.
    5 points
  9. bonjour je me souviens !!! haha....right....with a few camping chairs....and enjoying fishing !!! jean-guy
    5 points
  10. bonjour quebec bob !!! yaaa...moisie river...good one for salmon fishing !!! just back from '' school bus '''....lots of blowing snow !!!...not nice in the back roads -19c / -30c jean-guy
    5 points
  11. Very cool ice circle. If the ice fishers manage to get on it, they could be trolling “sans moteur”. 😂
    4 points
  12. Just back from our stay at Otis Nature. A few changes from the old place, but very nice. Got there late on sunday as we had 6 of us and 3 of us were still waiting for covid test results on sunday afternoon and we had to change trailer and vehicle plans last minute. Testing was much easier on the trip we took before Xmas. Across the border with 4 random tests, great. 24 hours to do the test, and weak to no wifi in the cabins, so we went to the resturaunt in the am and proceeded to go thru the 2 hour mess. All done and left the tests for pick up there, they will send some one to pick them up. They send someone next day, FROM MONTREAL??????? Cold morning, but the covid test gives us some time for things to warm some before we go. Trying to plan a place to stop thats warm for lunch as we packed a small lunch to take with us. Headed south to Mt Apica. The orange trails down to the 93 were great. LOTS of snow up here, never seen more. Less as you get towards Alma, but still good. Hit the 23 as it showed groomed last night. Got about 6 inches of snow last night and with the wind the fields, drifted BAD. Really made a mess of all the great fields down there. From Herbertville south, perfect. Stopped to warm up and eat at the warming shack on the corner of 23 and 368, nice. Back up the 23 to 83 and 383 to the River, perfect the whole way. Over the river and thru the woods to St Ambroise and the fields did not take the wind and snow well here. Turn into St Ambroise for fuel and closed? Covid hours? We should have enough to get back, but we have gas with us. Up the 367 and its wooded and pretty good, glad because its getting late and the temps are dropping fast. Pull onto the lake when we get back and it has dropped to -20f. Up early Tues morning, and its COLD. -35 and the sun has not crested the hill yet. We had 3 cabins for 6 of us, because of covid rules only 2 unless immediate family, they will get fined if they get caught. We all gather in one for meals. Eat breakfast and see if the sleds will start. 2 of them are brand new and after a few slow cranks they start. The other 4 no go, got 3 started with jump pack, but the 1200 with us would not go. One of the guys brought a battery charger and we put it on for a while and it finally went. Well its 1:00 now and its up to -32F. We refuel sleds with gas we brought and just about froze our butts off. Back to the cabins. we have food, we have booze, we will ride tomorrow. Wednesday AM, -25f. MUCH better, it will warm up today. Leave on the lake headed west on the 373. Head to St Ludger and stop to top off gas as we dont know whats open up here yet. The 373 is great, and it has warmed up. -10 seems great. Perfect all the way Girardville. Stop and eat a snack on the trail and gas up at Girardville. Hit the 93 est and it real nice. Have not been on 93 going this way in a few years and they have made some changes but its all good. Hit 373 in St Monique and its very good, Big snow over here. Back to the cabins, nice day, nice to be back. Thursday AM, -20f. They opened the trail over the mountain to Onatchaway last night. It has been closed for reroute for logging. We tryed to get over that way before Xmas but could not make it. Fresh groomed last night and perfect. All the way to the Bras Louis. They are putting in power lines so the road from the top all the way to the ski area is plowed and sanded with BIG rocks. They have done a great job grooming the side of the of the road, not the GREAT ride we know it can be, but not bad. Temps are up to single digits above 0 so it seems hot today. Up the 93 to the Chapelle, the are serving food take out and have a fire going outside. The birds have found that covid is a great source food for them, they are all waiting for food on the sled windshields. Back to the cabins the same way. Only a few degrees below on the way back. Fri AM, -20 this morning, but headed back today so no rush. The lake is open for sleds and the place will be open for meals. The menu is not as big as it was before but looks to be fine. Did not see any Love Cherrys on the counter though. Very nice staff, could not have been more helpful. And they have gas, but did not check price. Hope to be back in a few weeks, Try to leave from Vermont to Riviere Du Loup. GREAT to be back. And by the way, we are home and have not gotten our results of our random tests yet?
    4 points
  13. markusvt

    Tomorrow we ride

    Iceman, Thanks again,! I’ve said it 100 times, maybe 1000 times, maybe 10,000 times, you guys have the best snow, the best trails, and the best people. We hope to see you soon!
    4 points
  14. Florida Snowman

    Trail Lunch

    My favorite lunch in PQ is a candy bar, Gatorade & a tank of gas!
    4 points
  15. bonjour !!! aujourdhui dans la gaspesie..... on the menu today ... strong winds and blowing snow !!! -20c / -31c jean-guy
    4 points
  16. https://www.lequotidien.com/2022/01/16/six-motoneigistes-portes-disparus-pres-des-monts-valin-efb5d85d1129a6f3ee238b9ecb1e2a7f?utm_campaign=lequotidien&utm_medium=article_share&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR33d0AVXTer0qNgd3PTTBo-WxcoBFt0igfqg2_6uW5dlzpB-TLl0BiCXRU Six snowmobilers missing near Monts-Valin Six snowmobilers are missing north of the Saguenay, from the Monts-Valin. The men left the La Chapelle relay around 9 a.m. Saturday morning to do an off-trail loop and did not return as planned for dinner. At 8 p.m., the Sûreté du Québec was carrying out checks in order to plan a potential deployment. A report was made around 6 p.m. to the Sureté du Québec by the family of the missing. According to information from the co-owner of the La Chapelle relay, Mylène Aubry, experienced snowmobilers could find themselves within a radius of five kilometers from Lac l'Abbé. “We are aware of the situation and are in the process of assessing preliminary information and doing checks to find out who they are and what route they are taking. This will guide if we make a possible intervention, “commented Hélène St-Pierre, information officer at the Sûreté du Québec. The situation led to a major mobilization of citizens. Snowmobilers have gone in search of the six people and some citizens are even offering aerial patrols. Teams are currently patrolling the area alternately. If the snowmobilers are still missing on Sunday morning, several enthusiasts have volunteered to carry out a search and at least two pilots have offered to fly over the search area. The fact that six snowmobilers are missing was first reported on the relay's Facebook page. The publication had been relayed nearly 6,000 times at 9 p.m.
    3 points
  17. bonsoir !!! back from a short drive...up to ste marguerite ...then a few miles on logging rd !!! jean-guy
    3 points
  18. We can blame Justin for alot of things but for this one it's our Quebec prime minister Francois legault that is to blame... Love your reports, keep it going through the cold and snow storm you are strong 👍
    3 points
  19. Historically correct Ice but our group is always blaming Justin for something….LOL i leave you with a pic of the men’s room at Marineau. It’s just us and two other guys eating their cold food outside so I knew I wouldn’t be interrupted. I peed in the middle one just out of spite.
    3 points
  20. Heading back to camp in a few minutes and taking off for 100 Lacs in the morning. We are going to try and get an early start (yeah right…) as supposedly it’s supposed to snow 12-16 inches tomorrow. Oh well….this is snowmobiling NOT vacation. will try and update tomorrow night if the good lord let’s us
    3 points
  21. I’ll bet NO ONE can guess where we are at ? LOL….. let me just say eating a club and fries outside right now SUCKS ASS this is ALL Justin’s fault and I will NEVER forgive him
    3 points
  22. My two best buds in the whole world
    3 points
  23. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/drive/technology/article-dashing-through-the-snow-on-the-tesla-of-snowmobiles/
    3 points
  24. mikerider

    RDL 2022 Season

    I do remember. That was probably when you realized you should've got a four stroke instead of that 600R hot rod.
    3 points
  25. Retired, can do it from anywhere.😷
    3 points
  26. We would have to stay there if we had to. Call home and have more money sent, go home in the spring?
    3 points
  27. What a bad situation with it being -33C tonight if they end up in the bush overnight. Hopefully they are still all together. Would think out of 6 guys someone would have an inReach or Spot unit for this type of event. Would think an air search would be the only quick practical way to spot them. Hope for the best
    3 points
  28. The picture of the Moise River; looks like what is called an 'ice disc'. Maine River has had one a couple years in a row. People come from all over to see it. mike
    3 points
  29. iceman

    Trail Lunch

    Gas n Go. No one gonna starve to death from no lunch.
    3 points
  30. quebec bob

    Trail Lunch

    Come on you guys gotta get tough...ice man has been skipping lunch and eating frozen candy bars trail side for years...not kidding!!
    3 points
  31. iceman

    355 closed ?

    Closed again from club in Roberval. Regional 355 from Lac Édouard to Lac Bouchette Trail temporarily closed due to a situation beyond our control and deemed unsafe for snowmobilers... The logging company helped us make the trail next to the road where they are going to take out the wood, however no snow has fallen since then and the trail is rocks and earth. Logging company said they were getting the wood out in two weeks but they changed their minds and are starting to get the wood out tomorrow morning. No time to install Signage on our side that warns Cohabitation with log trucks because in several places the path is narrow or the Calvette. As soon as the situation returns to normal, we will let you know! Please share widely!
    3 points
  32. nice !!! moisie river !!! jean-guy
    3 points
  33. really great to see they are ok...could have been a different outcome at 35 below...sounds like some good experienced riders...even a small 4 km adventure can be a big deal to navigate in 4 or 5 feet of snow, going nowhere without snow shoes for sure
    2 points
  34. Message from one of the sledders....... Details of the January 15 snowmobile outing. Normally in January we leave early to return early due to the short window of light available. Yesterday we left around 10 am due to the cold for a route that we thought was feasible with the weather we had. We were 6 experienced local snowmobilers and the ambition was to be back before nightfall. A non-remote loop route within 4 km of our cabins was on the menu. The first hours were challenging but the fun factor was very high. The sun pampered us, the terrain and snow was amazing. We had only one idea at the start and that was to complete this short route at the high level of difficulty without the option of retracing our steps. We had overcome some steep losses in elevation over very short distances and this is precisely what made us postpone the decision to turn back, fearing the significant effort required to overcome this elevation on the way up. Around 3:30 p.m. we arrived above a steep waterfall surrounded by huge rocks and dense wood. It was at this point that we decided that we were going to retrace our steps. From that moment we joined our efforts to come back... We shoveled, sawed, pulled and pushed together to overcome the most technical sections. At no time were we in danger, lost or injured but unfortunately we did not have our satellite devices to inform. In the event of frostbite or injury, we would have initiated a different scenario to request help and establish an emergency plan. We hydrated and helped each other as best we could to carry out the plan. At the exit of the creek, 3 locals had located us and helped ease our return. Lessons learned : - Even if the route seems short and feasible, always leave equipped with what you need to get by. - Always tell someone the area you plan to go to. - Despite our constant progress, a satellite communication device would have been used to inform that we were not in danger. So touching to see how important and fast the mobilization, solidarity and efforts have been. Thank you very much!!! From the bottom of my heart ✨🤗 Relay the chapel AIRMEDIC Ski Doo
    2 points
  35. markusvt

    Tomorrow we ride

    Canadian forecasters are no better than American forecasters, today was supposed to be warmer. 😒 We went to pick up breakfast in the cooler to bring back to the cabin and it is -33F.
    2 points
  36. MrGutz

    Trail Lunch

    Add a Ski Kit???? GutZ
    2 points
  37. markusvt

    Tomorrow we ride

    Everyone has folding saws and with any luck we don’t have to use them😉 Very awesome conditions here currently and plenty of snow. Locals have been happy to see snowmobilers, American snowmobilers included. Gas has been $1.45 and $2.25. Always cold morning starts here at Gouin. Today -28F, awesome 😀
    2 points
  38. snowmaster2112

    Tomorrow we ride

    Easy peasy and I mean EASY
    2 points
  39. markusvt

    Tomorrow we ride

    We got up and left Windigo by 830 heading for relay 22. The 83 is different now to relay 22, instead of 20 miles you have about 30. They added 10 miles and it comes into 73 North 10 miles before Relay 22. They had to do a reroute due to a bridge being out that they can’t get the groomer across. There had been some logging in this area preseason, but it’s all very rideable now even though it doesn’t show it on the app. Very cold at relay 22, and a ton of snow. Gas and oil available and no worries to come in and warm up. We started the day at -11 F and it was -15 F by the time we got to read a 22, and stayed there most of the day. It is -20F now and will Lilly be colder in the morning. We headed out to 83 a bit before we navigated our off trail experience to end up at barrage Gouin at 4:30. Super fun day out in the woods, we are solo, no sleds out here, no people out here. Only bears, moose, wolves, and Beaver’s. Johnny says the Gouin ice is very safe, but we stayed off it as we had crossed a number of streams and Beaver ponds on our way here already, and it was no time to press our luck at the end of the day. Johnny has added a new entrance in the front so that everybody goes in and out one door and then he directs you to the rooms or the restaurant or the living room that he has. He has special arrangements to serve you food, dinner basically he brings to you in the living room area or into your cabin. Breakfast he gives you the night before that you put in your refrigerator and take care of in the morning yourself. All this goes away once Covid is over, but for now it is totally acceptable. He of course has plenty of gas and it is very warm and comfortable inside as always. Lots of snow up here, Johnny has been maintaining his private trail down to the 83 so no worries there. Tomorrow a easy run over to the wood runner trails and explore a bit before ending up at Notawussi. I confirmed with them that they have gas and like everyone else they have special arrangements for the food, but I am not worried. Everyone has been very very accommodating.
    2 points
  40. I had put together an other video of the returh from Marineau toward St-Zenon on this same ride
    2 points
  41. iceman

    God …I love this S;$T

    You are a rebel. I love it
    1 point
  42. Wow, never have I seen this parking lot empty...this has to really be hurting a lot of people...looks more than safe to be eating inside under these circumstances. At this point hiding is kicking the can down the road, either you get the shot or you get covid...either way it's looking more and more like we are all going to deal with it sooner or later...no hiding until it goes away...doesn't work like that
    1 point
  43. Leaving now live pic
    1 point
  44. you are lucky most of the time when I get there I look across from the gas station ...shake my head...and get back on the trail...usually no parking spots there like they are giving something away, have a great trip, i am already missing not being there with you guys, be well, Bob.
    1 point
  45. RoadRunner

    Tomorrow we ride

    Great trip reporting, super pics, and an awesome adventure ride mixing in the groomed with the ungroomed.
    1 point
  46. Snobeeler

    Tomorrow we ride

    Thanks for info, added to bucket list! looks to be on trail 13 about 50 miles south of Fer a Chavel
    1 point
  47. PLAYHARD

    New Rules Tomorrow

    Does 10:00pm curfew keep midnight yahoos off freshly groomed trails so they can set up by morning? (Asking from a friend's ponderance. Me no smart enough to figure this out.) If one were lost or hit bad circumstances, one could surely sway a trail marshal to mercy.
    1 point
  48. Bahaha! Hooi haystack! Stairway to heaven, could be a good sled prep for hanging it out there in the corners! https://www.visitaruba.com/things-to-do/sightseeing/hooiberg-aruba/ Our mtn climber buddies knocked it out barely breaking a sweat, I haven't sealed the deal on them sledding, but ebiking is a decent common ground. http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2022_01/20220102_111224.thumb.jpg.363dabcffaf2cec39756eb90b000e285.jpg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2022_01/IMG_0988.jpg.5587af5ba4126d6ff88abb7299f28c85.jpg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2022_01/IMG_0983.jpg.7ac54841dedc43ebb52f3748c328c2ca.jpg http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2022_01/IMG_3570.thumb.jpg.74c1579d330881ab90b967b7806bbfee.jpg https://www.relive.cc/view/vJOK2wnBB5v https://www.relive.cc/view/vPOpdgKzZEO
    1 point
  49. markusvt

    Tomorrow we ride

    Arrived at Windigo with 226 on the clock. We are the first Amaricans in 2 years. February 2020 we were here last before the border closed. Beautiful day, started cold at two above zero got colder down to about -6 and we end of the day at +6 overall very very nice. We left Saint Michel early this morning and headed off across the reservoir up to the 33, the reservoir was very nice. 33 was groomed all the way to where it crosses the water, no complaints there. They groomed at both directions. Arrived into Repos at roughly 930 with 60 miles on, I harbor no ill will against the place and admire that they’re still hanging in there. Like a lot of these places I know that they for sale. We did have plenty of gas so we could’ve bypassed it but we bought gas there and bypass Kanawata, it made more sense for us. If you had a gas situation or a time situation, you could easily have took the road all the way to Kanawata. Most riders are still using the road for 10 miles outside of Repos, including us. The trail doesn’t really have quite enough snow yet. Needs another groom and it will be fine. Everything has a fresh 4 to 6inches they just need to mix it in. The next part of the trail on the way to the Kanawata intersection is very nice, very well groomed wide and in great shape, you get there in a hurry. We skipped Kanawata and buzzed up to Casey, as most of you know this section of trail is wide open, super smooth, and amazing. We stopped in to the new place in Casey, Casey de base. We met Norman and he made us some chicken soup and hamburgers and a few refreshments before we headed out. He says next year he will have fuel but not this year. We then headed up to the intersection at 83. We took a right to Weymetaci, going into Weymetaci is a hit or miss. It’s plowed all the way to the intersection, though they have a new trail put in for most of it so you go on and off the road. Getting into a Weymetaci for gas is no trouble at all, very friendly though they did stop us at the gate to ask what we wanted. We then buzzed the remaining 60 miles into Windigo. Tomorrow we have an off trail excursion planned to get to barrage Gouin. We have given the appropriate people access to our GPS and satellite coordinates so if we stop moving they can send in the rescue team. There is a lot of snow up here, I am a bit worried with that but I think we will be OK. We will check in tomorrow if we were successful in getting to barrage going, if I don’t check it and you will know we were in the woods somewhere. We toasted the first drinks tonight to all of the Americans that haven’t made it back yet. I don’t want to rub it in at all in what you were missing, but the hassle crossing the border is way, way, way, way, way worth it. Love the trails up here, and love the people more. We were lucky enough to get a trip up early December to Mont Valin with the Team Maine and Rack up at 700 miles in three days, a month delay was too long to be back up here.
    1 point
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