iceman Posted January 16, 2022 Report Share Posted January 16, 2022 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. PLAYHARD, zeusand and MrGutz 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuse6 Posted January 16, 2022 Report Share Posted January 16, 2022 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 quebec bob, MrGutz and PLAYHARD 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted January 16, 2022 Report Share Posted January 16, 2022 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 Florida Snowman, SnomoGary, quebec bob and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceman Posted January 16, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2022 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 MrGutz, SnomoGary, Pipeman and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quebec bob Posted January 16, 2022 Report Share Posted January 16, 2022 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 iceman, PLAYHARD and MrGutz 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 Yes I am glad for them they were ok, it was not a weather to stay outside an whole night without risking their life or severe frostbite The point a retain is that they involuntarily trigger a wide search /rescue operation in this severe weather at night involving helicopter and many peoples that have been put at risk and all this would have been resume to a simple text exchange ( or phone call) if they had bring a Bidirectional satellite communication device with them at first... Fuse6 and PLAYHARD 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceman Posted January 17, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 9 hours ago, towing said: The point a retain is that they involuntarily trigger a wide search /rescue operation in this severe weather at night involving helicopter and many peoples that have been put at risk and all this would have been resume to a simple text exchange ( or phone call) if they had bring a Bidirectional satellite communication device with them at first... Bingo no excuse with the technology today to not have some type of communication device especially in the backcountry all this could have been avoided. MrGutz, Florida Snowman and PLAYHARD 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrGutz Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 That reminds me I need to subscribe to the SPOT Tracker. GutZ PLAYHARD and wng-2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLAYHARD Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 1 hour ago, MrGutz said: That reminds me... Thanks all! I remembered to renew my Airmedic coverage, but still need to refire service on the Iridium! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrGutz Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 1 hour ago, PLAYHARD said: Thanks all! I remembered to renew my Airmedic coverage, but still need to refire service on the Iridium! Right! Air Medic Too!!! Gettin' Old, Need all the help I can get!!! GutZ PLAYHARD 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quebec bob Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 Air Medic is very cheap and if you get seriously hurt in the bush it may save your life and your fortune....everyone should have this iceman and SnomoGary 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida Snowman Posted January 17, 2022 Report Share Posted January 17, 2022 Iridium satellite phone & Air Medic are both always with me when sledding in PQ. Won’t go without either one. Absolutely mandatory. jak, PLAYHARD and quebec bob 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLAYHARD Posted January 19, 2022 Report Share Posted January 19, 2022 On 1/17/2022 at 12:13 PM, Florida Snowman said: Iridium satellite phone & Air Medic are both always with me when sledding Don't wanna hijack here, just a quick PSA on Iridium in case anyone needs: DON'T get "Prepaid!" Get "Monthly!" If you're dealing with something and you're on Prepaid, when your bucket of minutes runs out your device goes kaput! With Monthly you keep on talking, for whatever your per minute rate is, until the heli or pizza or whatever arrives! These guys (who should be advertisers) have no-contract Monthly, so you turn it off when the snow melts, and they cycle winter users' numbers over the summer boaters bikers etc!... https://www.roadpost.com/iridium-prepaid-cards-vs-postpaid-plans-comparison Over, (Oops, PS: I bought one of these tough little buggers a few years ago and couldn't be happier: https://www.roadpost.com/iridium-extreme-satellite-phone.html) MrGutz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted January 19, 2022 Report Share Posted January 19, 2022 Correct me if I am wrong, but you get hurt out in the bush, the copter isn't going to fly out based on your phone call. I would guess an EMT has to make that call. So the EMT sleds out several hours to reach you, he okays it. Usually medics or police also need to find a landing place for the copter near the accident site, or haul you out on a sled to the nearest town, which could be hours away. I bet its is many, many hours before the copter delivers you to the type of hospital that can treat severe trauma. Again, I could be wrong. I bet 10 to 12 hours from the bush to a big city hospital. PLAYHARD 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLAYHARD Posted January 20, 2022 Report Share Posted January 20, 2022 Airmedic's pretty clear about making judgement calls on need and logistic ability all along the way. Blueblood and mikerider 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted January 20, 2022 Report Share Posted January 20, 2022 4 hours ago, PLAYHARD said: Airmedic's pretty clear about making judgement calls on need and logistic ability all along the way. that's what I thought also that if you called them it eliminate the middle man. probably best 80.00 you can spend. PLAYHARD 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snobeeler Posted January 20, 2022 Report Share Posted January 20, 2022 I believe they have designated landing sites. I have seen them on trail. You would need to get to one of those right? PLAYHARD 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLAYHARD Posted January 21, 2022 Report Share Posted January 21, 2022 16 hours ago, Snobeeler said: I believe they have designated landing sites. I have seen them on trail. You would need to get to one of those right? Not that they can't improvise & find a workable clearing if one wasn't near one of those designated spots with the red signs, but it'd be pretty handy if one was near one. And kinda like paying for a trail pass that never gets used (heaven forbid), you know the dough's going to support & sustain a good cause. The Airmedic mission & vibe seems pretty badass. https://www.airmedic.net/articles https://www.airmedic.net/article/saut-haute-voltige-securite-lysanne-richard https://www.airmedic.net/article/comment-lunettes-vision-nocturne-permettent-vous-sauver-en-tout-temps SnomoGary 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.