Snowkiting and Backcountry - Sled Neck Questions

forrest · Since 21 Jun 2005 4330 Posts Hood River Hick **CGKA Member**

With the season coming to an end and being injured, the depression is driving me crazy. Before getting injured I was about to drop $3000 on a mountain bike. Bikes and I have never had a good relationship, so I've been hesitant.

Just on the way back from exploring Condit Dam I had an idea. "HEY, I can get a decent sled for about $5000..."

So, my question to everyone who's been charging it... How much snowkiting is there to be had via a sled? Obviously, I'm not taking weather in to account other than there being snow on the ground and wind...

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Another question: I've done some trail riding on a sled, but I would really rather get up on a mountain. I'm also versed in the ways of avalanche terrain, and want to get some backcountry riding in. I was going to buy a split board, but maybe I can kill two birds with one fuel burning machine? What's the deal here? Any sled accessible backcountry in NW Oregon/SW Washington?

laura · Since 22 May 2007 111 Posts Stoked

Hey Forrest, Bob Revello rides sleds here alot, ask Pepi how to get in touch with him, they ride adams alot, They love winter here now!! Are you hurt?? LM

forrest · Mon Aug 25, 08 7:02 pm

Yea, my shoulder is giving me shit, I'll be good in a week I think.

Knot Kracker · Since 02 Jul 2008 130 Posts Clackamas River Stoked

I read an article by Aaron Sales from Kiteboarding on his adventure on a sled/kiteboarding. Contact him for going up either Helens/Adams.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

Forest

Sleds are a pretty serious endevour all and all.

But with the right group and energy they can be great tools for the backcountry.

All the sorrounding states and mountains are open to your trip planning ambitions.

Snow kiting is definately around but it takes time , patients and persistance.

Backing kite ski/ board trips up with backcountry turns and general slednecking is a good call.

Biking is always a good call all year in lots of places.

Good back up for rock,kite,or snow persuits.

Bikes are much better investment than the sleds and way more fun if your in shape for THE bike ride to make it intense and fun. Don't get me wrong I smile on the sleds.

Three bikes hanging in the garage and keeping a 20 foot trailer full of sleds inside and comfy adds to the expenses. Rolling Eyes

plus some monster truck to lug it about Crying or Very sad

bikes must have a smaller carbon footprint to.

time management is tough.. Wink

theres always biking close by.

just my opinion ....may not be the safest. Wink

5000 is a great starting price for a used sled.

forrest · Mon Aug 25, 08 8:29 pm

Yea, I hear ya Reggie. Part of my decision is finding out more about this sled necking thing. Smile

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Forrest,

Like Reggie said $5000 only gets you the machine. Then you have to buy all the other compensation tools to go with it. Big truck, trailer, RV, plus gas.

Save your money....You can buy a lot of gas to road trip it to Bend and Idaho for some great snowkiting and have quite a bit left over for trip to LaVentana, PSC and PSI.

Also you have baby stuff to buy........focus my friend focus you will heal soon.

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

Dude, go to PERU Mancora with Yogaman, thats what I would do. Very Happy

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

a $1000 sled would put you in the snow
behind others blazing trail
a single place trailer $200
some hot dogs $5

it will sit most of the time anyway
no better way to get there

Adams has some epic riding (splitboard)
but its 10 miles to get to it
same with many locations
$5K won't put you in the lead but it would be a sled that you could use for some time
Deep pow is pretty hard to ride uphill takes a lonnnnggggg track $$$$$$$$$$
and some skill

forrest · Tue Aug 26, 08 8:07 am

I already have a 4wd SUV that can pull 5000 lbs, the VW isn't my primary vehicle. Smile

I have a few others interested as well, and we'd be looking for a package deal with two sleds and a trailer. I live in the Hood, and have a fairly flexible schedule. Weekends are f@#ked on the mountain resorts, so I'm looking for an alternative.

From what I understood, St Helens has some good snow kiting but you need a sled to get up there. This is what I'm after. The Bend area snowkiting sounded like you needed a sled as well?

I hear you guys about doing something different with my money, as I imagine owning a sled is a lot like owning a boat. I haven't heard any real reasons not to take the plunge though besides taking trips abroad. I can't really go on trips to other countries this year as Katie is pregnant, so I'm looking for way to have more fun closer to home.

Oh, and I can spend close to $7000 in December after saving a few more months.

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

Dude, I say go for it.

I bought a sled my Junior year of college in WYO and it was the best thing...Yeah, it was only $1,900 and it was a Ski-Doo Summit 95-96'....so, not a long-track per-say, but it wasn't a short 122 track either. I put some jacked up handle bars on it for side-hilling and beefed up the rear suspension(which still sucked)...BUT, my point is, I rode that thing like a champ....My freinds called it the pig, but I was in waist deep powder often! I just couldn't get as high up as my buddies during hil-climbs unless the snow had packed down. I even did some cornice drops with that beast!! I would look into the trails/terrain cause if there are trails up to locations, you will be fine with a cheaper sled...but if you wanna get gnarly sled-necking(hill climbs, cornice drops, etc.) then spend a little extra cheddar..
Here is a pic of a sled like mine...I am gonna search for some quality old pics of the beast!!!!

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.907bigboytoys.com/user_images/9054866.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.907bigboytoys.com/index.php%3Fa%3D5%26b%3D188&h=70&w=150&sz=3&hl=en&start=24&um=1&usg=__b05xSWu9zIKaTQhgafOs_AdVSXI=&tbnid=s4jsmd8vbITtuM:&tbnh=45&tbnw=96&prev=/images%3Fq%3D1995%2Bski%2Bdoo%2Bsummit%26start%3D20%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4IBMA_en___US218%26sa%3DN

So, I bet you could get into something that would work fine for screwing around and get you up to some decent terrain for under $5,000, I'd say def. have a 144" track and a newer model sled so it is lighter..

One thing, I have never ridden out here in the wet snow, so not sure about the terrain...I was riding the light fluffy champagne snow in the Rockies..

If this post keeps going, I might need to get one!

Also, can't you lease sleds these days..? Confused

JMatic · Since 12 Aug 2008 252 Posts Boise, In Dat Ho Obsessed

You could sled to the higher reaches of Helens/Adams or drive 3 hours from HR to the Grand Ronde valley....there's sick snowkiting terrain and the wind pumps all winter long.

It beats driving all the way to Idaho (Camas Prairie). I've kited the Ronde valley on the way to Anthony Lakes and had sick sessions, although watch for fences in shallow snow conditions. All in all, if you set up just West of La Grande area you've got thousands of acres of ridable terrain, slightly rolling hills, some mtns to climb and decent snowpack Dec-Mar.

Snowkiter to sledneck transmission....out!

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

sleds are fun. I prefer fuel injected much less maintance artic cat has had fi for a while I think all the other brands have it now. Their is great sled rideing by troutlake and on the rd between hwy35 and Dufer. I have not tried snowkiteing yet but have been looking for areas. If you get a sled PM me I will show you around.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

get something light
or with a long track
or light and a long track
anything over 500 lbs
will hurt your back , when you are stuck ,which will be often
as the terrain up Adams is very tough as is all good BC trail riding

The Polaris Dragon works very well 155" track should be plenty
but they make a 162" ,,under 500 lbs
the 700 has a 140 HP and can just putt along in 8' of snow ,on a flat
If you are splitboarding you will be going in deep pow
and these machines will do it
don't fuck around and get some heavy POS with no reverse(stop and back up BEFORE getting stuck)
you"ll just buy something else soon.
Greg Coen power sports In Springfield had 3 of the 08 700's left when mine was in there a month ago $9200.

There are a shitload of heavy old POS around made for the midwest
don't buy one

All the manufacters are offering deep pow machines (weight is everything)
The 08 and newer Polaris are good machines.
The older engines with the intake in front are no good.

I've ridden sleds for over 20 years and have never put a dent in one
I did get a concussion once , ice ,no helmut ,,stupid

And watch out for the guy in front
he might be stopped

Mark · Tue Aug 26, 08 9:22 am

Rode with these guys back in Montana. Took them for a tour of St.Helens.

Link

Ps Adams is very steep. lightweight and Big Horsepower is your best friend.
PPs These guys go BIG. It was fun to watch them go crazy! Much like kiting around Ruben....

Sledneck Mark out!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

You have to make that Xray your avatar again!

forrest · Tue Aug 26, 08 9:28 am

LOL, yea, not that interested. Just want to do some snowkiting and some split boarding. I figure the sled will just get me to the steep, then it's up to me to split board the rest of the way.

I can't spend $10k. I don't want to do it that bad.