kendoo

Everything is all peaches and creme until it's not.....
Will probably go down as one of my worst snowmobile days ever
They are taking my friend JEFFREY to the hospital with what appears to be non life threatening injuries 
The rest of us are just banged up  ad and what looks like 3 totalled sleds
I'll report back when I can
Might tomorrow 

A half hour or so ago

I rode the Gaspe for the first time with some nut on a Skidoo.  Possibly 2006 ish as I think I was on my 2005 Vector. Until that time I had never seen a moose while riding despite all the signs posted everywhere.  I remember being super psyched when we came across some moose on the trail.  We took our obligatory pics and eventually they moved off the trail and we were able to continue.  We then came upon another group on the trail and they were not wanting to leave the trail because the snow was like 6' deep.  We had to make an executive decision to attempt to pass the moose off trail and hope we didn't spook them or bury the sleds.  All of us got by successfully.  Then, we came across yet another group of moose that would NOT get out of the way.  As they trotted along we came to a bridge made with 6x6's with gaps in between.  One moose fell into the bridge and was stuck.  Now we were in a predicament.  We could not get around it and we didn't have enough gas to back track, and the only gas station ahead was due to close shortly.  We shut the sleds down and started discussing options.  I recall pondering that out West they have cattle guards in the roads in the free range areas.  Cattle will not cross these guards, but moose will cross 6x6's with big gaps?  Anyhoo, long story short the moose got him/herself out of the bridge and we were able to continue.  We send the nut on the skidoo ahead to keep the gas station open until the rest of us could get there.  Thought I might just freeze to death in the Gaspe that night.  Good times!!

I rode the Gaspe for the first time with some nut on a Skidoo.  Possibly 2006 ish as I think I was on my 2005 Vector. Until that time I had never seen a moose while riding despite all the signs posted everywhere.  I remember being super psyched when we came across some moose on the trail.  We took our obligatory pics and eventually they moved off the trail and we were able to continue.  We then came upon another group on the trail and they were not wanting to leave the trail because the snow was like 6' deep.  We had to make an executive decision to attempt to pass the moose off trail and hope we didn't spook them or bury the sleds.  All of us got by successfully.  Then, we came across yet another group of moose that would NOT get out of the way.  As they trotted along we came to a bridge made with 6x6's with gaps in between.  One moose fell into the bridge and was stuck.  Now we were in a predicament.  We could not get around it and we didn't have enough gas to back track, and the only gas station ahead was due to close shortly.  We shut the sleds down and started discussing options.  I recall pondering that out West they have cattle guards in the roads in the free range areas.  Cattle will not cross these guards, but moose will cross 6x6's with big gaps?  Anyhoo, long story short the moose got him/herself out of the bridge and we were able to continue.  We send the nut on the skidoo ahead to keep the gas station open until the rest of us could get there.  Thought I might just freeze to death in the Gaspe that night.  Good times!!

I rode the Gaspe for the first time with some nut on a Skidoo.  Possibly 2006 ish as I think I was on my 2005 Vector. Until that time I had never seen a moose while riding despite all the signs posted everywhere.  I remember being super psyched when we came across some moose on the trail.  We took our obligatory pics and eventually they moved off the trail and we were able to continue.  We then came upon another group on the trail and they were not wanting to leave the trail because the snow was like 6' deep.  We had to make an executive decision to attempt to pass the moose off trail and hope we didn't spook them or bury the sleds.  All of us got by successfully.  Then, we came across yet another group of moose that would NOT get out of the way.  As they trotted along we came to a bridge made with 6x6's with gaps in between.  One moose fell into the bridge and was stuck.  Now we were in a predicament.  We could not get around it and we didn't have enough gas to back track, and the only gas station ahead was due to close shortly.  We shut the sleds down and started discussing options.  I recall pondering that out West they have cattle guards in the roads in the free range areas.  Cattle will not cross these guards, but moose will cross 6x6's with big gaps?  Anyhoo, long story short the moose got him/herself out of the bridge and we were able to continue.  We send the nut on the skidoo ahead to keep the gas station open until the rest of us could get there.  Thought I might just freeze to death in the Gaspe that night.  Good times!!

I rode the Gaspe for the first time with some nut on a Skidoo.  Possibly 2006 ish as I think I was on my 2005 Vector. Until that time I had never seen a moose while riding despite all the signs posted everywhere.  I remember being super psyched when we came across some moose on the trail.  We took our obligatory pics and eventually they moved off the trail and we were able to continue.  We then came upon another group on the trail and they were not wanting to leave the trail because the snow was like 6' deep.  We had to make an executive decision to attempt to pass the moose off trail and hope we didn't spook them or bury the sleds.  All of us got by successfully.  Then, we came across yet another group of moose that would NOT get out of the way.  As they trotted along we came to a bridge made with 6x6's with gaps in between.  One moose fell into the bridge and was stuck.  Now we were in a predicament.  We could not get around it and we didn't have enough gas to back track, and the only gas station ahead was due to close shortly.  We shut the sleds down and started discussing options.  I recall pondering that out West they have cattle guards in the roads in the free range areas.  Cattle will not cross these guards, but moose will cross 6x6's with big gaps?  Anyhoo, long story short the moose got him/herself out of the bridge and we were able to continue.  We send the nut on the skidoo ahead to keep the gas station open until the rest of us could get there.  Thought I might just freeze to death in the Gaspe that night.  Good times!!

I rode the Gaspe for the first time with some nut on a Skidoo.  Possibly 2006 ish as I think I was on my 2005 Vector. Until that time I had never seen a moose while riding despite all the signs posted everywhere.  I remember being super psyched when we came across some moose on the trail.  We took our obligatory pics and eventually they moved off the trail and we were able to continue.  We then came upon another group on the trail and they were not wanting to leave the trail because the snow was like 6' deep.  We had to make an executive decision to attempt to pass the moose off trail and hope we didn't spook them or bury the sleds.  All of us got by successfully.  Then, we came across yet another group of moose that would NOT get out of the way.  As they trotted along we came to a bridge made with 6x6's with gaps in between.  One moose fell into the bridge and was stuck.  Now we were in a predicament.  We could not get around it and we didn't have enough gas to back track, and the only gas station ahead was due to close shortly.  We shut the sleds down and started discussing options.  I recall pondering that out West they have cattle guards in the roads in the free range areas.  Cattle will not cross these guards, but moose will cross 6x6's with big gaps?  Anyhoo, long story short the moose got him/herself out of the bridge and we were able to continue.  We send the nut on the skidoo ahead to keep the gas station open until the rest of us could get there.  Thought I might just freeze to death in the Gaspe that night.  Good times!!

As I remember we called that run the “moose ass 1300”
1300 for the miles and because we spent so much time that afternoon, evening, AND night staring at ....well...moose ass
was just looking at those pics the other night Ken. You NEED to rent a sled next year if you don’t have one and WE NEED to do another trip together 
here today out on the 597 south of Murdochville 
dosnt get any sweeter
meeting Ice & wife in a little bit for a cocktail 

I rode the Gaspe for the first time with some nut on a Skidoo.  Possibly 2006 ish as I think I was on my 2005 Vector. Until that time I had never seen a moose while riding despite all the signs posted everywhere.  I remember being super psyched when we came across some moose on the trail.  We took our obligatory pics and eventually they moved off the trail and we were able to continue.  We then came upon another group on the trail and they were not wanting to leave the trail because the snow was like 6' deep.  We had to make an executive decision to attempt to pass the moose off trail and hope we didn't spook them or bury the sleds.  All of us got by successfully.  Then, we came across yet another group of moose that would NOT get out of the way.  As they trotted along we came to a bridge made with 6x6's with gaps in between.  One moose fell into the bridge and was stuck.  Now we were in a predicament.  We could not get around it and we didn't have enough gas to back track, and the only gas station ahead was due to close shortly.  We shut the sleds down and started discussing options.  I recall pondering that out West they have cattle guards in the roads in the free range areas.  Cattle will not cross these guards, but moose will cross 6x6's with big gaps?  Anyhoo, long story short the moose got him/herself out of the bridge and we were able to continue.  We send the nut on the skidoo ahead to keep the gas station open until the rest of us could get there.  Thought I might just freeze to death in the Gaspe that night.  Good times!!

I rode the Gaspe for the first time with some nut on a Skidoo.  Possibly 2006 ish as I think I was on my 2005 Vector. Until that time I had never seen a moose while riding despite all the signs posted everywhere.  I remember being super psyched when we came across some moose on the trail.  We took our obligatory pics and eventually they moved off the trail and we were able to continue.  We then came upon another group on the trail and they were not wanting to leave the trail because the snow was like 6' deep.  We had to make an executive decision to attempt to pass the moose off trail and hope we didn't spook them or bury the sleds.  All of us got by successfully.  Then, we came across yet another group of moose that would NOT get out of the way.  As they trotted along we came to a bridge made with 6x6's with gaps in between.  One moose fell into the bridge and was stuck.  Now we were in a predicament.  We could not get around it and we didn't have enough gas to back track, and the only gas station ahead was due to close shortly.  We shut the sleds down and started discussing options.  I recall pondering that out West they have cattle guards in the roads in the free range areas.  Cattle will not cross these guards, but moose will cross 6x6's with big gaps?  Anyhoo, long story short the moose got him/herself out of the bridge and we were able to continue.  We send the nut on the skidoo ahead to keep the gas station open until the rest of us could get there.  Thought I might just freeze to death in the Gaspe that night.  Good times!!

That's a great story KenDoo.

Great story Kendoo, and glad you gave moose their space, they are at their weakest at that time of year. And.....because I know others will be asking....any chance the 'nut' on the ski doo went by the name of Chris, or perhaps snowmaster?

I rode the Gaspe for the first time with some nut on a Skidoo.  Possibly 2006 ish as I think I was on my 2005 Vector. Until that time I had never seen a moose while riding despite all the signs posted everywhere.  I remember being super psyched when we came across some moose on the trail.  We took our obligatory pics and eventually they moved off the trail and we were able to continue.  We then came upon another group on the trail and they were not wanting to leave the trail because the snow was like 6' deep.  We had to make an executive decision to attempt to pass the moose off trail and hope we didn't spook them or bury the sleds.  All of us got by successfully.  Then, we came across yet another group of moose that would NOT get out of the way.  As they trotted along we came to a bridge made with 6x6's with gaps in between.  One moose fell into the bridge and was stuck.  Now we were in a predicament.  We could not get around it and we didn't have enough gas to back track, and the only gas station ahead was due to close shortly.  We shut the sleds down and started discussing options.  I recall pondering that out West they have cattle guards in the roads in the free range areas.  Cattle will not cross these guards, but moose will cross 6x6's with big gaps?  Anyhoo, long story short the moose got him/herself out of the bridge and we were able to continue.  We send the nut on the skidoo ahead to keep the gas station open until the rest of us could get there.  Thought I might just freeze to death in the Gaspe that night.  Good times!!

Thanks for the encouragement Ice
If there isnt enough snow I'm coming to your house all week to drink beer  LOL

Happy Birthday Chris!!

Happy Birthday Chris!!

"You don't keep coming back for the hunting, eh?"
Classic

OMG, you are killing me.  So many memories come flashing back.  My stomach would hurt after our trips from all the laughs.   I still tell the the story from the Moose Ass ride where we almost died out in the Gaspe Interior.  How the hell does a moose get stuck in a bridge?  Out west the animals are smart enough not to cross a cattle grate on the open ranges.  
Hoping your sled is a cheap fix, but it's not sounding that way from your description of issues.
 

Sorry to hear buddy!!  Unless you slowed down in the last 20 years, I bet that 1200 had a hard life.  Hope all is well.

Sorry to hear buddy!!  Unless you slowed down in the last 20 years, I bet that 1200 had a hard life.  Hope all is well.

Well the trip didn’t end up quite as planned. We left Haltaparche around 10am and everything seemed normal up to the east side Gouin junction. A couple miles or so past there I look down at the dash and temp is reading 189 and climbing. I shut in down expecting the usual 20 lbs of ice blocking the heat exchangers. Hmmmm....no ice. About then you can hear the coolant bottle boiling over and see it puking out. This ain’t good. After a minute or so Andre says...mon ami ...looks at your front air vent. Was completely blocked over with ice. Obviously my bad for not noticing/checking it before we left. At this point I clear that out and hope I didn’t lose enough coolant that it would be ok till I got somewhere to top it off.
after starting up again after a cool down I take off and instantly see the temp is not dropping like it should while running. Here we go again....
at this point Andre is heading back to Haltaparche to get some coolant from Jean-Guy. We try and add some and retry on the trail. Same thing with temp creeping up but seems it takes longer. At this point the sled has gone into overheat twice on the dash and I think the highest I remember seeing it was 244. I shut it down as soon as I’m over 200 but it continues to get hotter sitting there. We finally make it out to the plowed road section after a cool down and it seems like it’s holding temp better. We add some more coolant to the bottle and I run it up and down the road 6-8 times and it seems perfect now. I was figuring it air locked with spilling over and us adding. At least that’s what it seemed. What I failed to mention was earlier on the trail in between cool downs and adding coolant the “engine oil” light comes on. Dipstick is showing nothing. WTF....here again me being complacent. Light never continued to stay on so I figure I’m down a full quart or more. 
We decieded to carry on towards Casey where I would get some oil and we would be good to go. Nice thought but not happening. Things were good first 3-5 miles then started overheating again. We still had more coolant and Andre rides up into Casey and returns with a full quart of Mobil 1 0/40 
pour that in and carry on after a cool down. Instantly over heats again.
thats it.....get out the rope. Towed me the last 3-4 miles into Casey by the Ranch house on the main drag. At this point we had to make decisions as the sled can’t continue on. They go to Kanawata for the night and I spend the night with Yves, Gina and her brother Mark. Great people and great times had there with them. Yves has been coming to Casey since he was a kid as his dad built a camp near there in 1962. He’s a wealth of information about Casey and the surrounding area. 
When the guys took off for Kanawata I tried the sled up and down the road and now it won’t go over 5K rpm and wants to overheat. Probably a head gasket at the least and wouldn’t be surprised if more damage to head. After adding another quart in Casey can barely see on dipstick. I can’t believe this sled ate that much oil in 1500 miles this season and I thought I checked it before I left. My bad again for not checking it anywhere along the trip.
so I got a ride out of Casey with the ever cool dudes Martin & Hugh but they didn’t have room for my sled. They had two beautiful Expedition Extremes in their trailer. It was -44 Friday morning in Casey with Blue Sky. Trucks were even not starting. It was slow going.
so the old girl is sitting by the shed at the ranch house. If your in the area stop by and give her a slap on the ass for me. She will probably be there awhile. Might not get her until March when Quebec Bob and I go up.

Thanks Chris. I don’t consider it “guts” though. My first Quebec adventures began 98 or 99. I connected with some fellow NY riders on the then new thing called the internet...LOL. I was instantly blown away and captivated beyond comprehension. I couldn’t get enough of it. So much so that I was wanting to go more than I could connect with people. At the beginning I would stay around more populated areas but that didn’t last long as my love for the “bush” (and beaver) took me deeper and deeper into the Quebec wilderness. It was around 2001 or 2002 that I walked into the Relais 22 one evening for the night solo. As I’m eating in the common area at a table by myself I see these two Quebecers looking my way with a little bit of bewilderment. Finally the one tall guy gets up and comes over and says “you all alone my friend” ? I said ya....kinda crazy huh. His name was André and that meeting has literary changed my life. I wound up riding with him and his cousin Pierre around LSJ for a couple days before we departed but not without exchanging our contact info. Fast forward 18 years and Andre is one of my dearest and best friends in life. A finer individual you WILL NOT meet. Andre, (lives In Sherbrooke) his parents in St Jean de Matha and brother in L’ephinie have treated me like family ever since. They have a nice camp up on Lac Chapeau de Paille at the end of the M21 trail that we all go to winter and summer. It’s a very, very special place. 
Shortly after meeting André my confidence level increased as well as my experience and familiarity with how Quebec touring works. I would go at times with André but he only had limited opportunities to go. That’s when I met fellow QR member “Easyrider” on the net who also loved coming to Quebec and needed a riding partner. He’s from Vermont and lives 2.5 hrs south from André in Sherbrooke. Well it wasn’t long before all 3 of us were BFF”s. In the early and mid 2000”s Easy and I took many a bag trip around Quebec but he too only had a finite amount of time. It was about this time that in between trips with him and Andre I would fill the void with solo trips around the Gaspe, the 83/93 loop (1125 mi.) and Abitibi into northern Ontario and back runs.  I averaged over 5000 miles a season for over a decade.
In the last 5-6 years now my dear friend Jeff from NY (lives near me) has joined the “team” and he too has been inducted into the “Lac Chapeau de Paille” Hall of Fame. All four of us (I absolutely REFUSE to ride with more than three others) are heading up to André’s parents this Thursday for a nice 5 day trip. Two nights (first and last) will undoubtably be at the camp up on M21 and a couple others probably in Parent and maybe 100 Lacs.
Besides these last two trips I can’t remember when my last solo trip was. Probably at least 7,8 or 9 years ago now. But for me to throw the sled in the back of the truck and take off alone isn’t even a second consideration. I’m more confident than I’ve ever been with my riding abilities. My machines are always newer and top notch condition. I’m more mature and level headed than when I was younger. I’m more prepared (albeit a sat phone or SpotX) as my true feelings are that it would take some of the thrill out of it for me. I make constant mental notes in my head while riding remote areas alone like where the last structure I could take refuge in was. I carry enough food to get my fat ass by for days if needed. Yes I guess that there is some very slim remote chance I could have an accident but if anything ever does happen I d be willing to bet that won’t be the cause. Like I said above this wasn’t my “first rodeo” riding alone. And not having done it in a lot of years I loved many of the benefits it does have. Friends and family back home know my whereabouts and we keep in constant touch. Plus I have found that doing these long trip threads about the travels actually helps me in some way deal with the solitude. At least one more big trip alone will be done this season. I missed and enjoyed it that much.
several fellow QR members have recently reached out to me with offers to go riding. I really appreciate that and wish I had the time and money to ride at least once with everyone on this site but here’s the reality. There is myself and the above three mentioned individuals that make up my core group. If it ain’t all four it’s some combination of either two or three. I have spent years breaking in/ training these guys on how to deal with me...LOL...I’m a different kind of dude. That and my rekindled love of taking long solo journeys probably doesn’t allow much time for new riding partners, at least this year. But we’ll be sure to see each other on the trail.

Awesome write-up buddy!!  Brought back some great memories of our pre-Y2K rides North of the border!!!  

Funny....I was just thinking of you the other day. We need to phone talk. It’s been quite awhile now.
i still have the occasional nightmare and wake up sweating thinking about the “moose ass 1300” tour

A BIG THANK YOU goes out to all the folks who made my trip so memorable, comfortable and just downright FUN FUN FUN
Bobbi & Manon at Auberge Tiblemont on Lac Tiblemont- two GREAT hosts and people. I will be back for sure and would never hesitate to recommend their establishment to any snowmobilers either passing through or basing out of.
Isabelle (the Gazelle) & Pierre-Luc from Hotel Opemiska in Chapais. The place simply cannot be beat
David, David , Janelle and Pierr-Luc for showing me the cabin and how boondockers in Quebec ride
Nancy from Desmairsville for always being the sweetie she is. (Natives were telling me secret stories of Nancy from long ago)
Kenny Loon from Mistissini and his lovely wife for cooking the great native food and sharing/teaching me about native traditions
Bruce Wapachee police officer from Mistissini for not arresting me and taking me to jail
Eddy from the front desk at Auberge Mistissinni for showing me the rooms and talking with me about all things Mistissinni 
The people from Adele’s restaurant in Mistissinni (forgot to ask if Adele was there) I want to meet her
The people in Chibougamau who put on the LOVELY Christmas themed display on their property 
The Lord Savior Jesus Christ (otherwise just known as Eric) in Chibougamau for pulling me out of the ditch and saving me and my back
And a special thanks to Alex, Elphonse and Samuel for taking/inviting me in and giving me a New Year’s Eve I will never forget
BUT.........the MOST IMPORTANT thanks goes to my lovely wife Sandy who has supported (and continues to ) support all my crazy snowmobile activities over the years. Thanks honey !!!! I owe ya big time.
1539 miles on my new Enduro now from the last two northern runs. Two SPECTACULAR trips that will never be forgotten