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Exploring new ground.


iceman
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Do the hotels with the dry underground parking usually have some ski wheel doolies handy . My sled with fresh carbides doesn't like to move on cement and I'm sure they don't want their cement floors tore all to hell?

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Day 4 

Woke to pretty good snow coming down at Le Cabanon. Sat Down to breakfast. Lights flicker 3 times and boom blackout. Took a few minutes for them to get the generator up but all good after that. 

Was more snow outside then we thought. A solid 6-7" of wet heavy stuff. As others were talking of waiting the day out for the groomers to go out. We are not used to hearing talk like that. So off we go. There was another group that got out before us. They were going 345 north as well. We catch them maybe 30k from Cabanon. They are stopped and wave us by. Yeah thanks. C-ya. What a damn mess this wet snow. Trees down and let me tell you it was like riding through paste or mashed potatoes. Wettest deepest snow I've been on in a long time. After we pass the group I was thinking that was it. But still seing a pair of tracks. Well much better than 8 pairs making things messy. We catch the other 2 at bridge over river. And get by. At first I was so happy to be finally breaking trail that was short lived, as the further on we went up 345 the snow got deeper, wetter and heavier. Not to mention the trees bent or down. This was pretty sucky. One of those test your skills day. As where there was a big drift it would almost stop me in my tracks. Crazy wet heavy snow did i mention now it was easily 12" new wet. It was still snowing at this point and blowing. My sled was drinking the fuel bad. I knew I was using my spare gas before Repo's. DSC04716.JPGDSC04717.JPGDSC04718.JPG

 

Sun popped out soon after

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oh yes the joy. We press on and 35km from Repo's ahhh. The groomer has come out from the turn off just after the Dam there. Looking like maybe I will make it to The Pump. 

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well no dice I'm out 5km short. Oh well dump the gas in. On to Repos. Only like 80 miles to Repo's and I was way short. 

Thinking I was kidding about deep wet snow? Think again. It was work. 

 

Arrive at Repo's to this scene.  30 Minute delay. 

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For you Groomer

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A few off trail sleds at Repo's but no one else. We head off toward Kanawata. Gromer is just going up trail so we take road out of Repo's (not plowed) with a few sled tracks. Arrive at Kanawata Express and also unplowed with some tracks to ride in, Thank You little baby jesus.

40 miles to Kanawata, made great time considering and driveway to Kanawata plowed. We go in to top off. Mario says trail from Repo's is the road for now too many trees down they have not cleared. A couple local guys from their chalet having lunch. 

Leave and off for Casey. Lucky again trail is broken for us. Snow still deep and wet here. Nice Run to Casey. Once in Casey it's like a switch has been flipped. Less snow here and its Fluffy. We burn on up and join the 83. It has tracks both directions. Less snow makes for easy going now. Like butter. This is fun again. Less like work. 83 is nice some brush here and there. We roll up to Trail for Gouin Eastern spur. Nice Run on up and settled in the lodge at 5pm. Left Cabanon 9:30. We are the only 2 here and don't mind a bit. Private Lodge. Nice. 209 miles. 

 

 

 

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39 minutes ago, actionjack said:

Having sleds safe in heated garage outweighs the negatives of scratching the pavement IMHO. 

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How sweet is that ! Love the indoor parking

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All that wet heavy snow will make for a nice base in a few days! This year with all this heavy snow ,  ,it will be tough keeping the trails clear of branches ,also that kind of snow will take some patience to groom.Glad to hear the trip is ticking along nicely . The trails above repos are some of the best in Quebec :)

Edited by snowfarmer
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54 minutes ago, groomer said:

thx iceman for close shots !!!

very appreciated !!!

nice machine !!!

 

jean-guy

I knew you would like that. I will get pics of any Machines I see just for you. 

 

27 minutes ago, dooright said:

Thanks for busting that trail open Don , We'll be along that way in a few days

Ride on team Ice !

You are more than welcome. The day will come soon when I know you guys will be busting trail for me. I got no doubt. 

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Thanks for the report and pics!

Wow. 80 miles on a tank. Must have been a workout. What would you "normally" get on a tank? Curious too, what the Enduro normally gets on a tank? We have never run the Enduro dry (knock on wood).

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1 hour ago, Banker said:

Thanks for the report and pics!

Wow. 80 miles on a tank. Must have been a workout. What would you "normally" get on a tank? Curious too, what the Enduro normally gets on a tank? We have never run the Enduro dry (knock on wood).

Normal conditions i can go easily 105 miles, the Enduro 1200 beats me by about 2 liters give or take at each fuel stop. No we never ran it dry yet either. But i am always leading and he had lots of gas left at Repo's as i broke trail open for him.

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Day 5  

5-6" new snow at Gouin here last night. Fluffy stuff.

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Awesome to be back there at Barrage Gouin. I did not make it up at all last year and missed it there. Carol, Jonny, Louise and met Steve this time around make your time there so great. Nice to have good conversations with them folks. Like being with family. If you've never been then get up there and support them. Great place and great People. Always tough to leave but we must be moving on.

Sleds loaded and we decide it's down the road to skip the top half of the trail. We've broke enough trail and gonna be doing alot more by the looks of things. So down the road to join back up with the trail back to 83.

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Man there is a lot of snow we are breaking its deep in spots here. So we get down to 83 and its just as deep. So 45km from Gouin to 83. Deep snow single track I have had enough breaking trail for this year. Quit praying to the snow gods. Enough up here for sure. Snowing and flat light.

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Also trees bent over or down all along.

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Into Wemontachie. Here we take the road right to Wemogaz.

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From gas we again decide its time to stay on the road so 25km up we then turn right onto trail. Unbroken has been groomed before but has a ton of new snow on it. Halfway through here comes 4 guys with red dry bags on back. These guys are dangerous they are dangerous on their first day out and more dangerous after 2-3 days out cause now they think they got the hang of it. Hey they busted trail good enough for us. Closer to Windigo there is Logging so pay attention. Back and forth across the road and the trucks are hauling ass. Well logs but not slowly. 

Cruised into Relais 22 following in tracks busted open for us. 

News at Relais 22 heard from Louise at Gouin that 22 has new owners. We had tge pleasure of Meeting Christine who along with her husband Martin have come from Baie Comeau to own and operate Relais 22. Super nice and she speaks very good english too, just speak slowly. I hope to meet her husband on the way back by there tmmrw. Wishing them all the best and great success. Take the time to support them and tell them you are a Quebec Rider. I think they may want to become an advertiser. We shall see. 

Anyway while there we see the Suerte du Quebec truck and sled trailer there. She tells us they are conducting a search for a missing man who phoned his wife saying he was stuck on snowmobile coming from his chalet. 

This was yesterday. 

Good news is we took gas and went up 83 to check it out. At 50km we were turning back when cops pull up. They found the guy. He abandoned his sled and they followed his footsteps to a nearby chalet where he broke in door and lit the fire and waited for help. Great Job by the police. Hats off.

We ride back following the cops they were blazing a trail. Snohorse tried to get them to put on there lights so we could have a official police escort but no dice. 

Back to 22 tank again and absolutely hammer it back to Windigo. Hell one or two more passes through they won't need to groom it i will have it blown open fully. Windigo driveway a few hanging low trees but has tracks and we roll in. So nice to see Martine and nice to be here. 

We are here with only one other guy a Guide out of Lac Blanc doing some pre running for an upcoming group. If you want to stay at Windigo (crazy if you do not want to) then call soon to check the dates it's booking up fast.

thats it for now 222 miles today. 

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Decisions Decisions 

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Now a special message to all Team Iceman members not in QC at this time.....

"the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plains, and the man with the blue shoes is not who he appears to be." Over.

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Awesome times!  You staying dry riding in all that snow?

I would love to see your path on a map as I am not as familiar with this area up here!  Very sweet for sure! Duck your head low for those trees and let off the gas a touch.., haha

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6 minutes ago, Teet F8SP said:

Awesome times!  You staying dry riding in all that snow?

I would love to see your path on a map as I am not as familiar with this area up here!  Very sweet for sure! Duck your head low for those trees and let off the gas a touch.., haha

Yes dry, Gore Tex

map of today. green dot Gouin red dot Windigo

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Edited by iceman
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Look forward to your reports every night Ice, and you never fail to entertain, amuse and provide crucial trail info! Rode those same trails last year and it feels like I'm riding your tail the whole way. (You can keep the lead!) Planning on driving to st Raymond with the wife on Saturday and heading to LSJ country to meet with Jack and Sandi for a loop back. Your snow reports are giving me hope! Keep busting those trails open, we all appreciate it!      Terry

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12 minutes ago, neksledr said:

Look forward to your reports every night Ice, and you never fail to entertain, amuse and provide crucial trail info! Rode those same trails last year and it feels like I'm riding your tail the whole way. (You can keep the lead!) Planning on driving to st Raymond with the wife on Saturday and heading to LSJ country to meet with Jack and Sandi for a loop back. Your snow reports are giving me hope! Keep busting those trails open, we all appreciate it!      Terry

Thanks so much, very nice to hear.

Keep an eye open, I am heading home Saturday afternoon. Rest a day. Then back out with Playhard and NHmoose and others, Up to LSJ.

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I'm very surprised you didn't take the express to Relais 22 from Gouin, 65 Klms.

Would've saved you a whole lot of huff'n and puff'n breaking trail.

From Windigo if the reservoir is good you can cross it to the south then cross Lac Flambant going through camping Coukachi on the north side then from the south end you'll land on the 345 east of Lac du Repos, comes out on the dog leg just before the little dam. I'm sure the guide in house can fill in the rest of the blanks.

Good luck and keep it going.

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What a great forum, We were riding the south shore starting tomorrow, but changed plans about 4pm is afternoon, due to rain and hardening up of the conditions in south shore, we are now leaving st Raymond area tomorrow mid AM, lac  st jean bound, than up into the valins , that report 40" of new snow. And from there we don't know, but it will be awesome. Hope to see a few of you along the trails or at check in with Bill at the Delta.

 

Keep up the great reports

 

RR

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14 minutes ago, Trailblazer said:

I'm very surprised you didn't take the express to Relais 22 from Gouin, 65 Klms.

Would've saved you a whole lot of huff'n and puff'n breaking trail.

From Windigo if the reservoir is good you can cross it to the south then cross Lac Flambant going through camping Coukachi on the north side then from the south end you'll land on the 345 east of Lac du Repos, comes out on the dog leg just before the little dam. I'm sure the guide in house can fill in the rest of the blanks.

Good luck and keep it going.

We had all day to get to Windigo. So no need for the express today from Gouin. Hell i would have been here before my breakfast was digested. lol. No boondocking from Windigo gonna happen this run. Thanks for the suggestion but staying on 73 to La Tuque. 

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