X2. Having the right tools to get into tight or awkward spots on the sled is important. One mistake I've made in the past is carrying "one of everything" which was good until I only had 1 15mm wrench when I needed two to tighten the real idler wheels. Luckily I always have a vice grips (highly recommend). I had a bolt holding my rear idlers fall out just over ladder in Renshaw last year. Luckily realized it right away and it was early in the day, only 930ish. Nursed it back to the cabin because if the tensions bolts slid back at all I would have torn my track. From my experience of taking my skid apart multiple times I knew the support shaft in the skid used the same size bolt as the one that fell out. So I took the support out and promise myself not to hit any jumps for the rest of the day LOL however I also needed something to replace the rubber flange and metal washer which were also gone. In the renshaw cabin they had recently put new coat hooks on the walls and each had two washers (a big and a small). So I took about 6 hooks off the walls and used them to tighten the shaft and ride for the rest of the day. That night went to spindrift and got new parts. Next day reinstalled all the washers and hooks in the cabin. Moral of the story, sometimes you need to get creative.
What do you carry that others may not have thought about?
- Thread starter vodoo103
- Start date
X2. Having the right tools to get into tight or awkward spots on the sled is important. One mistake I've made in the past is carrying "one of everything" which was good until I only had 1 15mm wrench when I needed two to tighten the real idler wheels. Luckily I always have a vice grips (highly recommend). I had a bolt holding my rear idlers fall out just over ladder in Renshaw last year. Luckily realized it right away and it was early in the day, only 930ish. Nursed it back to the cabin because if the tensions bolts slid back at all I would have torn my track. From my experience of taking my skid apart multiple times I knew the support shaft in the skid used the same size bolt as the one that fell out. So I took the support out and promise myself not to hit any jumps for the rest of the day LOL however I also needed something to replace the rubber flange and metal washer which were also gone. In the renshaw cabin they had recently put new coat hooks on the walls and each had two washers (a big and a small). So I took about 6 hooks off the walls and used them to tighten the shaft and ride for the rest of the day. That night went to spindrift and got new parts. Next day reinstalled all the washers and hooks in the cabin. Moral of the story, sometimes you need to get creative.
Lund
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Here is a short video i put together today on the "tin can fire starter". I apologize if the quality is poor and not well done. It is actually the first time i have done a video so consider it a practice run.
I hope though it help's those who can appreciate what is being conveyed. My suggestion is try it at home.
At the end of the video i said "it took less then 15min. to get the fire going".
I also want to say that the fuel in the can took over an hour to burn off and not 1/2hr like i said on the video, i really never payed close attention before.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vtmEvNVDl0
I hope though it help's those who can appreciate what is being conveyed. My suggestion is try it at home.
At the end of the video i said "it took less then 15min. to get the fire going".
I also want to say that the fuel in the can took over an hour to burn off and not 1/2hr like i said on the video, i really never payed close attention before.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vtmEvNVDl0
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Lund
Active VIP Member
Another thing one can add to their survival sledding kit is beef jerky.
One of the things that the forces actually did field test with was beef jerky. When out in the field we alway's carried beef jerky in our upper lapel pocket as emergency.
We only carried ration's for the immediate job and as well planned and on time the resources and relieve of the forces were. We found out they at time were not, leaving personnel in the field tired and drained. Beef jerky was found to be a morale booster and a great source to generate body heat to help get through the cold damp nights.
I carry beef jerky in my pack, every time i ride.
One of the things that the forces actually did field test with was beef jerky. When out in the field we alway's carried beef jerky in our upper lapel pocket as emergency.
We only carried ration's for the immediate job and as well planned and on time the resources and relieve of the forces were. We found out they at time were not, leaving personnel in the field tired and drained. Beef jerky was found to be a morale booster and a great source to generate body heat to help get through the cold damp nights.
I carry beef jerky in my pack, every time i ride.
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iceman5689
Active VIP Member
We call this a newfie fire.(only because it was introduce to me by one). Been using it for years in hunting camps with wet wood conditions. Most think gas is explosive, only under pressure. High powered candle.
You need to learn how to sharpen your axe!!
Slot screwdriver can be used as a wedge in the next size wrench to use it as a stop / hold.
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Done. It’s a Sticky.
skegpro
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UCO Storm Proof Matches
https://youtu.be/WQUC_PV26aU
https://www.ucogear.com/award-winning-fire-starters
https://youtu.be/WQUC_PV26aU
https://www.ucogear.com/award-winning-fire-starters
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Catrider16
Active member
Great job on the video Mike, you should make one on how to make a compass, it could be useful.
Lund
Active VIP Member
LOL, that doesn't surprise me. The majority of CF members are eastern Canadians. Lots of Newfies haha.
How can you train for that? Well you really can't unless you have experienced it and been put into it. The best thing is
One big rule i have, no more riding after "WITCHING HOUR". Witching hour for me is about one hour before natural lighting goes away. Witching hour means, it is time to ride the main trail back to the parking lot and get loaded, no side treks. Personally i like to be loaded before it gets dark.
Why witching hour, my experience has taught me if thing's are going to go wrong, it will during witching hour for sure. Bad things seem to happen around that time it appears...LOL[/QUOTE]
Ive noticed this many times also, always chalked it up to mental and physical fatigue??
One big rule i have, no more riding after "WITCHING HOUR". Witching hour for me is about one hour before natural lighting goes away. Witching hour means, it is time to ride the main trail back to the parking lot and get loaded, no side treks. Personally i like to be loaded before it gets dark.
Why witching hour, my experience has taught me if thing's are going to go wrong, it will during witching hour for sure. Bad things seem to happen around that time it appears...LOL[/QUOTE]
Ive noticed this many times also, always chalked it up to mental and physical fatigue??
Lund
Active VIP Member
Ive noticed this many times also, always chalked it up to mental and physical fatigue??[/QUOTE]
Yep, a combination of mental and physical fatigue. Plus throw into the mix temperature dropping and natural lighting going away.
Yep, a combination of mental and physical fatigue. Plus throw into the mix temperature dropping and natural lighting going away.
U all have great idea's. Im thinking people should try to ride even a little at night . Not on the big hills but go ride around in the trees . Another thing is make others lead the group. Good to make others aware how to get in and out . Lots of people just fallow and have no idea were they are. One more thing is make sure u can find your way without your GPS . Allways bring extra gas .happy trails
Lund
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To add to this thread here is a recommendation or suggestion.
When i ride i always make sure i carry extra under clothing such as socks and shirt. NO cotton, ever. I also carry a sweater. Wool, Merino or heavy gauge fleece.
A toque and big heavy mitts. In my gear i also carry a cotton towel kept in a large ziploc.
Here is the deal in addition to the making a fire, you will work up a sweat. Gathering wood, shoveling a pit and making a bit of shelter will take effort. Too survive in the back country overnight in cold temp's. requires you to conserve energy too stay warm and very importantly staying dry.
What is important is to realize your situation before it get too dark and grasping it.
Locate your shelter, fire area ASAP and get the work done hopefully before darkness sets in.
Before settling in for the night this part will make or possibly break your night. First put the toque on, the majority of your body heat escapes through your head so it is important to keep the head well covered. Next CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES, remove the sweaty probably wet shirt, wipe dry with the cotton towel and put on the dry shirt and the sweater. Then put your riding jacket back on. Remove your boots and check your feet, if damp, replace the socks and make sure you dry first, put your boots back on.
Lastly before settling, set your pack or tunnel bag down and use it as a seat to protect you from the cold snow, use your space blanket to trap the heat from the fire and put the mitts on. It will be a long night and your unlikely too sleep so hopefully you have beef jerky as it will help pass the time and it will help your body to produce alot of heat.
In such a situation you hope to be found and not to have to spend the night but to survive you need to make the odds in your favor, the more you prepare your self mentally as the day light drops the better thing will be even if your not found. This will also add strength to you for the next day.
When i ride i always make sure i carry extra under clothing such as socks and shirt. NO cotton, ever. I also carry a sweater. Wool, Merino or heavy gauge fleece.
A toque and big heavy mitts. In my gear i also carry a cotton towel kept in a large ziploc.
Here is the deal in addition to the making a fire, you will work up a sweat. Gathering wood, shoveling a pit and making a bit of shelter will take effort. Too survive in the back country overnight in cold temp's. requires you to conserve energy too stay warm and very importantly staying dry.
What is important is to realize your situation before it get too dark and grasping it.
Locate your shelter, fire area ASAP and get the work done hopefully before darkness sets in.
Before settling in for the night this part will make or possibly break your night. First put the toque on, the majority of your body heat escapes through your head so it is important to keep the head well covered. Next CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES, remove the sweaty probably wet shirt, wipe dry with the cotton towel and put on the dry shirt and the sweater. Then put your riding jacket back on. Remove your boots and check your feet, if damp, replace the socks and make sure you dry first, put your boots back on.
Lastly before settling, set your pack or tunnel bag down and use it as a seat to protect you from the cold snow, use your space blanket to trap the heat from the fire and put the mitts on. It will be a long night and your unlikely too sleep so hopefully you have beef jerky as it will help pass the time and it will help your body to produce alot of heat.
In such a situation you hope to be found and not to have to spend the night but to survive you need to make the odds in your favor, the more you prepare your self mentally as the day light drops the better thing will be even if your not found. This will also add strength to you for the next day.
skegpro
Active VIP Member
I have been through this.
Snow cave is my #1 choice.
imdoo'n
Active VIP Member
if you are going to light a fire to stay warm, gather all your wood before you light your fire, when you feel you have enough wood go get double what you you have. keep fire small, watch out for sparks on sled clothing, it is not fireproof. fir and pine wood throws a lot of sparks. good idea to try things out before you have to do an overnight for real.
there are lots of ways to make an overnight bearable, again try them out in advance.
there are lots of ways to make an overnight bearable, again try them out in advance.
skegpro
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vodoo103
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Dooitorbust
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For packing spare clothing, fold it up nice and use a vacuum packer to shrink all your emerg stuff nice and tight. Save room and make room in your pack.
This is a great thread with a lot of great ideas. For me personally, I like to keep all of my “oh chit essentials” in my pack. I’m a bigger guy and have no problem with a heavy pack. It’s unlikely, but always a possibility of being separated from your sled.
Definitely taking notes from this thread.
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