Saturday St. Helens Action

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

I think that is called a snow-cat - wonder if we can pick one up used?

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

Towing behind sleds is easy for everyone but the sled. A sled is a real bad investment(but fun) They are usually a real money loser value wise and towing bunches of people that don't "need sleds" is real hard on them. More wear and tear than norm. So remember hook a brother up when sleds are involved sleds are a pain in the ass. Trust me I own 2 now and have owned others in the past.
If Shay tows you in be sure to get him some beers or at least 5 gallons of gas. Wink

kt · Since 16 Mar 2005 763 Posts Portland, Or Opinionated

hey blancoh2o,

thanks very much for the info. i guess i will have to continue to look for other areas. i read aaron's article in the last kiteboarding mag and he talks of areas off of 35 so i will have to try and explore those.

kt

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

phil, I am sure you are , and I warn you to consider the purchase of a machine. storage year round and dragging it to the location with suitable rig blah blah all part of the struggle of owership(pun intended) Laughing

I bought a 8 x 20 foot enclosed trailer to pull them with and so we can sleep , change, dry off ect.. inside if desired and that is a fun storage issue as well. not complaining its all fun but more junk really starts owning your precious time.

Don't own more than you can put in your trunk and leave with in twenty minutes notice I was told once by a very happy fellow. Wink

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Don't listen to Regi. Buy a sled. Drive fast & take chances. We will slay it once more people have sleds. Sure they can be a pain in the arse, but you gotta take the good with the bad.

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

Ok. this sounds great.

So, anyone riding this weekend? I gotta watch the Bears on Sun. but I wanted to get out on Sat. I will rent a sled if you guys are going up and/or the conditions look do-able. What about the cloud cover? Is the Ski-doo place on Sandy the place to rent...?

It's either snow-kiting, or back to the Ponds, but not sure if the wind will stay east..

C;mon I am drueling for more kiting.!!

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

There is a place between woodland & cougar that supposidly rents sleds, but I have no clue what its called.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

S,
Looks like a great time ,
I think that there is the best oppurtunity for good kiting on St helens in the area, with the access and lack of trees ,watch the weather and your in ,
True enough about sno-machines they are costly and hard to handle.
I've owned as many as 5 at once for business (with little pleasure)

like cars there is no such thing as a cheap one. Crying or Very sad

the Yamahas are overbuilt and have always got me back except once,
I was towed in (warrenty)
fan cooled are generly more forgiving and somewhat less expensive ,the real trick is unless you are a mechanic is finding someone to fix it .
Because every time something is fixed you have to take it to elevation to find out if it runs

do whatever it is you do for,, SNOW!!! Very Happy

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

Talk to the outdoor toy store in stevenson/carson they are cool and have lots of sleds

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 487 Posts Obsessed

is this the same basic area as the "worm flows"? i think they also use that sno-park. if it's different, has anyone tried kiting that section? what do you look for in wind? the approach trail doesn't seem nearly as long and looks like really interesting terrain. maybe possible to kite to the summit with the right wind. it would be awesome to rip past everyone skinning, and then ride down.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75255

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 537 Posts Oregon Addicted

Gabe,

i have not kited on Helens but have climbed it numerous times. the flows that you talk about are shown in the second photo in the link you supplied. your right, i think.....with the right wind you could get close to the summit with kite. however, there are rock bands almost everywhere and some gulllies that could be a fun killer. interesting thought, make sure you document this if you make it.

I think the hike in to the flows above tree line would take 2.5 to 3 hours of easy hiking and a quick ride back down to the car.

i think you need a snow park anywhere above 3500 feet. not positive on that.

the plains of Abraham and surrouding area look like a lot of fun.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

I've kited up at worm flow before and the terrain is much more limiting than out at the Plains. You are pretty much riding on spines of ridges, whereas the Plains has much more rideable terrain. We got skunked out there yesterday and I accidentley took my sled off a 5 foot cornice, the sled was completly vertical and luckily it didn't get thrown forward when I did and pull the scorpion.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Sorry about the skunkage - good job not eating death on the sled - next stop Winter X Games

surfncap · Since 06 Mar 2007 78 Posts NE

THANX, great pics. if you want someone to carpool out there I can pay gas bring lunch. I have sledded only 3 times in utah but did good. Barely to far to take splitboard or tele skis in.