Miles long

I enjoyed this trip immensely! If it weren't for hip replacement surgery on the 25th of this month I would certainly venture back on up here this season much wiser and better prepared to travel further East than my first attempt. I appreciate all of the words of wisdom and encouragement , hopefully everyone here has a safe and enjoyable sledding season unfortunately I'll be watching from the sidelines, Rock on!

I'm heading to the UP of Michigan early next week to meet up with 14 friends for an annual trip. I'm fairly certain I've 3 of them convinced to run the pedestrian class at Cains Quest next year if they have enough participation to have it. The event organizers need to drum up interest for this event to make it a reality which is one of the reasons I decided to start riding up in these parts to get a little feel for what hopefully the future holds. I've dry bags collecting dust in the closet they will be shaken off before the next trip. Thanks for the tips!

The deep snow rendered this trail unpassable for me, the heavy wet snow made reading my GPS impossible as I had to steer with one hand while clearing my visor with the other , once I hesitated at the 3rd fork along trail that I came to my junk sunk. I walked 20 yards out and to see if there was room to turn around anywhere, no luck. 3 hours of shoveling later I was on my way back to Sept Illes to ride the local trails and take in the sights. I spent hours with a hairdryer at the hotel drying out my gear before heading back West to Baie Commeau the following afternoon in another heavy wet snowfall which made for an interesting ride through the hills and into town at 11:pm. Marcos Pizza is my new favorite hangout in Quebec!

Thank you for the kind thoughts!

Sorry for the delay checking in. I'm currently in Forestville having a cocktail. The last 2 days have been late starts since turning back from attempting Havre St. Pierre due to water logged gear from the heavy wet snow! I'd love to post pics but keep being told there's a problem uploading the file, it might be my cellular service is only 2g here in Canada for data.

15.9 gallons on board . My biggest mistake to much weight on ass end and the saddle bags do nothing but catch snow and they aren't waterproof all of my clothing was soaked.

The road less traveled!

I don't know why but I'm unable to upload photos. If your trying to get East of here bring a Mountain sled you'll need it! I'll try to post pictures but keep being told there's a problem wth downloading.

Mother Nature, hopefuly that nasty biotch hides her ugly head!

Thank you for the kind words of wisdom! I've read every thread on Quebec Rider, Dootalk and Hardcore Sledder I could find repeatedly for the last 2 years. I definitely appreciate the words of wisdom, until 1 finds out for themselves to erase any doubts about exaggerations of just what kind of trip they're in for will 1 be able to say , Holy Shit ! They weren't kidding about this !

That's putting it mildly! Heavy wet snow and blowing wind makes for an interesting ride! I was told later today that they've had 105 cm of snowfall in the last 9 days. I left his morning about 9:30 am as the storm was to pass by noon. I wore the squeegee on my glove off after 5 miles, everything the snow fell on stuck like glue , my GPS was useless with all the wet snow stuck to it. As soon as I passed through the clear cuts and hit the logging roads the signage disappeared beneath the snow. I can't believe this trail has been groomed anytime in the last 2 weeks. Hell I can't believe they're able to get groomers up 1/2 the hills on my he way to Sept Illes!

I'm carrying a satellite phone and a GPS with the ability to use. If it gets to the point where I'm not comfortable preceding forward I'd have no issues turning tale and heading back. Originally was hoping to make it to Blanc Sablon and possibly further East into Labrador but with a delayed start and less mileage per day than I had planned for it's not likely to happen but will give me insight into moving further along in future trips out this way.

I just installed a clutch kit from Dynamo Joe after having just stretched the skid and track from 137"-146". This sled has performed flawlessly going into its 3rd season.

2015 Backcountry Etec started the trip with 6580 miles should click 7000 by end of day. 2 strokes are the only way ride! No lead sleds in my immediate future! Also riding solo on this trip . It's my first ride in Quebec and certainly won't be my last. The scenery and terrain are very much to my liking! Sitting in Port Cartier right now having a late lunch . I plan on arriving in Sept Illes this evening not nearly as far as I'd hoped. It's hard to make good time in such hilly terrain, also broke trail for probally 30 miles of the way through 6"-8" of fresh with no signs of recent tracks.

2015 Backcountry Etec started the trip with 6580 miles should click 7000 by end of day. 2 strokes are the only way ride! No lead sleds in my immediate future!

Incredible,I love elevation changes they always offer an opportunity to get off trail and play! Also an outstanding job of grooming.

Well the trip is off to a rough start, sled wouldn't fire up due to cold weather Sunday morning tried to jump start no luck and nothing's open here on a Sunday. I then decided to relocate to Les Coummins and stay at the Complexe Pelchat where services were located nearby. The owner drove me to a parts store where I purchased new battery went back to hotel and installed it yet still wouldn't fire. He was kind enough to help me offload into his heated garage where after 1 1/2,hours of jumper cables and heat gun on motor was finally able to get it stared. Hit the trail at 11:am arrived in Baie Comeau at 6:pm . Couldn't find lodging with a restaurant or bar that was open rather disappointing for a town of this size.

I'm heading up to Tadoussac this week and plan on doing a 10-12 day backpack trip across to. Blanc Sablon and possibly into Labrador if time permits. Any info I can gather from first hand experience as far as clean lodging, good food, libations and precautionary measures would be greatly appreciated!