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crazysnow

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Posts posted by crazysnow

  4. Harsh realities, Ride safe

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Let's not add to this list

    1er décès

    Date: 20 décembre 2009

    Lieux: (Côte-Nord) Lac à Godbout

    Cause: Noyade

    Temps: Soirée

    Âge: 45 ans

    Sexe: Homme

    Sentiers ou Hors Pistes: Hors pistes Lac

    2 ième décès

    Date: 23 décembre 2009

    Lieux: MONTEREGIE (Farnham)

    Cause: Impact clôture

    Wow!!!

    I don't know what to say you really hit

    home. Everything you said is so true

    I'm sorry my prayers for Jim I will save

    this post and it will be in my pocket on the

    trails. Again I'm so sorry, crazysnow.

    Temps: Soirée

    Age: 46 ans

    Sexe: Femme

    Sentier ou Hors pistes: Sentiers non-ouverts

    3 ième décès

    Date: 30 décembre 2009

    Lieux: LANAUDIÈRE (st-Jacques)

    Cause: Perte contrôle Frappe un tronc arbre en sentier

    Temps: Soirée

    Age: 19 ans

    Sexe: Homme

    Sentier ou Hors pistes: Sentiers

    4 ième décès

    Date: 6 janvier 2010

    Lieux: CENTRE-DU-QUÉBEC (Notre-Dame-De-Lourde)

    Cause: PRÉSENTEMENT AU MAINS DU CORONER, POSSIBILITÉ SELON LA POLICE D'ALCOOL ET VITESSE Perte contrôle suivie d'impact sur un arbre, éjecté.

    Temps: Nuit, 1 heure du matin

    Age: 28 ans

    Sexe: Homme

    Sentier ou Hors pistes: Sentiers # 531 FÉDÉRÉ

    Here is a copy of a letter that a snowmobiler friend of mine saved and recently re-sent to me, as a harsh reminder to us all.

    Just like you-

    I am not a writer. In fact, this is the first time I've written anything since college. I am, however, a snowmobiler.

    My friends and I are probably just like you. We are all in our late twenties to early thirties, and single white males. We have pretty good jobs; some own their house, others rent. We hunt and fish, watch football and NASCAR, go to bars and church festivals. We have problems with women, like fast cars and Schwartzeneggar movies. We think we can dance, but look like Frankenstein having a seizure when a girl drags us onto the floor. We could probably switch places with any of you and fit right into your group.

    We have owned sleds from all manufacturers over the years. Our first sleds were junkpiles and we still make fun of them. We work on our own sleds and help each other with theirs. We watch the weather forecasts waiting for snow and read all the snowmobiling magazines drooling over the new sleds. We put 600 miles on the truck to put 200 on the sled. We have all entered corners too fast, and all missed turns at night at one time or another. We laughed at slow riders that putted along at 15 mph. We rode with the feeling of invincibility that only youth can bring.

    Our youth ended February 14, 2003.

    In a small town about 10 miles South of Crandon, at 11:00 PM my friend Jim Smolen lost his life. He was only 28. He died within a half mile of the cabin, within half an hour of unloading the sleds off of the trailer. The reconstruction showed that he hit a stump under the snow, was thrown off, and hit a tree. At least he didn't suffer. Excessive speed was believed to have been involved, even though the sled wasn't wrecked. It looked like he just stepped off of it. He did have ONE or TWO beers, but I must say that I have seen people drink much more - I'm not condoning it, but I know you have too. Jim was riding as long as I can remember, 5+ years at least, riding the same sled he had for three years. We have all seen the articles in the papers that give little detail; letting us assume it was an inexperienced rider, totally drunk, on a brand new, huge displacement sled.

    What the newspaper articles do not show is how it affects everyone else. They don't show the undescribable horror of seeing a close friend lying in the snow bleeding from the eyes, ears, nose and mouth. They don't show the blank stare in his unblinking eyes as you try to remember the CPR you learned in high school. They don't show the panic felt during the longest half mile you will ever ride back to the cabin to call 911. They don't show the feeling of helplessness as you spend the longest HALF HOUR of your life waiting for an ambulance. They don't tell about men who haven't prayed in years dropping to their knees and saying a prayer. They don't show the feeling of uneasiness as you drive HIS truck to the hospital. They don't show the cold you feel as you wait until 4:30AM when the doctors give you the news you already knew but still can't bring yourself to hear. They don't tell the flood of emotions you feel as you have to call your friend's parents in the middle of the night to tell them that their son has died. They don't mention that none of his friends will get any sleep for days. They don't mention the nightmares when they do. They don't tell about the DNR showing up at 8:00AM the next day to fill out paperwork and make them relive it all again. They don't tell about grown men breaking down and crying. They don't tell about the longest, quietest drive home ever.

    His roommate is the one who found him, called his parents, and drove his truck home. He has closed the kitchen window blinds so he doesn't have to see his truck. He had to close the kitchen cabinet to keep from seeing his box of corn flakes. He is now afraid of the dark. Our season is over.

    The human body is so frail, so easily damaged. If you have an accident in a big city, help is only about five minutes away. If you have an accident in the north woods help could be forty miles away or more. Think about it: that's like having an accident in Milwaukee and having to wait for an ambulance from Illinois. And then having to go to a hospital back in Illinois.

    I am not asking for speed limits, or other restrictions. Just please, PLEASE be careful. Slow down just a little. Skip that beer and have a soda instead. Ask yourself if it is worth the consequences to go flying through the woods. Your friends WILL wait for you. Death is forever. Think of all the good times you would miss. Take a little time and look at the beauty of nature. There are those that no longer can.

    We laid Jim to rest today. If only one person is affected by this pointless loss, and a single life is saved, Jim's death would have meaning and all of us could have some closure.

    I know you think that this only happens to "the other guy". So did we. Just like you.

    A little harsh reality as we all begin the best season of our lives. Ride safe guys and gals

  6. TQ93

    in Saguenay-Lac St-Jean

    Posted

    its 80 miles to tadoussac from the ski area at vallinouett. Did that run two weeks ago and it was great. «it had been groomed all the way to the gas station in tadoussac. The ferry runs every 20 - 30 minutes during the day. They have two going back and forth.

    «we did the scooby raid run yesterday. Trails are shaping up. They could use another 8 inches or so of snow, but all are passable. «just need to fill in some of the dips.

    Thanks longriders

    Will be the first time on 93 going to todoussac can't wait.

  8. TQ93

    in Saguenay-Lac St-Jean

    Posted

    We rode out of La Saguaneenne today. Headed up over the river from the hotel. TQ 93 is groomed and good from Amqui all the way to Vallin. Did the run from Vallin to Tadoussac two weeks ago and it was great. The season is here.

    Hi longriders

    How far "miles" is the run from Mt.valin

    to tadoussac going to take the ferry for the

    first time. Anything I should know? Thanks

  15. Riding Gear

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    thanks crazysnow for the reply. I am living here in Quebec and will be using my gear alot more now. (weather permitting) let it snow ALOT

    So i am ready to make an investment in something that will last and be warm and comfortable too.

    where do you usually ride up here in snowmobile heaven aka Quebec???

    Where do you start from for a trip???

    Iceman I usually ride out of shawinigan " motel safari "

    thinking of changing that and starting from st.Raymond

    hotel "roquemont" to lac-saint-Jean. P.s. Looking forward to your

    snow reports.

  16. Riding Gear

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    crazysnow, I recommend thin gloves, like these http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?produ...p;lmdn=Category, with gauntlets. Since they are thin, you get more from the hand warmers. If too much air backs-into the gauntlets, I use a tie-wrap to reduce the opening. I've had no problem with that setup, down to the usual -40. You can also get at maps and take pictures without having to remove your gloves.

    Don, I've used Reima for years without a problem, however, when I'm due for new gear, I would probably try choko...especially since I know where Bill lives if there's a problem...lol

    Hi scorpionbowl

    thanks for the great idear like the tie-wraps will try.

    Always like to hear about new stuff will try thin gloves too. 

  17. Riding Gear

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I'm getting some new gear for the season thinking of KLIM

    I know is expensive, but I would like some feedback on it

    Is it worth the price?

    Who likes what????? choko, HJC.....etc

    just wondering

    Iceman

    Hi! Iceman klim makes great stuff but if you go with layering system it can get very expensive I don't think it's worth it.

    I have a ski doo jacket and bibs and wear the klim inferno underwear and I did not get cold last year in quebec at -40 deg. I. Also have the togwotee gloves from klim but my fingertips did get cold even with gauntlets again it was -40 but if you go with klim i'am shure you won't be disappointed. I don't know if this helps you.it's always nice to have new gear   p.s. Think snow.

  18. Snow

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Glad to see I am not the only freak who looks at this. I pull up "Chib" all the time to read their forecasts!! See your from PA. also, that is why we have to look north all the time!!!

    I become weather nuts this time of year. My wife thinks i'am nuts to.

  20. Pics from the Matapedia Valley !!!

    in Gaspe Peninsula

    Posted

    first nice sunrise since i m at the camp.it was foggy and it give a great effect.last wednesday morning.samething for the mooses pics.

    it has been sunny for 3 hrs ,then back to clouds.

    groomer !!! :drinks:

    Groomer, its always great to look at all your great pics I check them out all the time keep up the good work. :good:

  21. Safe hotel in Maniwaki

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    We've stayed at #2 a bunch of times and never had a problem. (knock on wood!!) In fact the staff there has always been really good to us.

    Sled Dog check it out, looks like a nice place from their I going to "Joncas" on 63 West about 190 miles have you done this before. thanks

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