Hello all. Was asked to share some stories of some oh-boy moments. Will give it a whorl.
Headed out to the cabin with beautiful wife one glorious winter day. Every time I get to go to the cabin is a glorious moment for me.
We were on snogos.
Thinking back, the first issue we faced was that the 75 foot wide creek we had to cross was only frozen half way across. I remember stopping before before we crossed and discussing with beautiful wife. Good thing was that it was frozen on our side. This can be an issue because if the ice ledge is on the other side your snogo skis can go under the ice edge. This has the effect of a sudden stop in the river. Especially since we always have a load , pulling freight sleds that often weigh a whole lot.
No problem. We were heading in for a week so hopefully the creek will be frozen when we come home. The portage went well. Had a great time for a week and we were going to head home. Then it got 25 below.
No problem, the kids were at the house and we had time. Perfect, more cabin time. Another week goes by of minus heat. Hey the creek should be frozen.
Well it warms up with a snow storm. We woke up to nearly 3 feet of fresh snow. And no end or much long distance vision in sight. It was coming down hard. The big flakes. I knew that this could last a while. And get real deep. So we get geared up.
We knew that this could be an adventure , and it was. As head out there is now no trail. Or any ability to try to see one most of the time. When the snow is deep like this you have to keep your snogo pegged. Wide open. I’m breaking trail so I’m in a tunnel of snow. With the snow coming over the top . And trying to see any trail cut into the woods was covered with snow on snow. I was going on instinct. Just a couple degrees off in direction could be very bad. If we got turned around there are no roads.
Got a few miles out when beautiful wife’s machine dies. It is loading up and fouling the spark plug because it cannot exhaust out the pipe because the snow is sooooo deep. Cleaned plugs and got is going but it was a continuing problem. Then my sled starts to have the same problems. Limped along till my snogo would run no more.
Had to leave beautiful wife with my broke down snogo. In snow almost up to her up to her chests. While I broke trail to the truck. I get stuck a few times but make it to the main trail to the truck. On the other side of the now frozen creek where I hit a trail that someone else had broken to the trail head.
I turn around to go get my beautiful wife. Broke down miles from the road, alone. About a mile from the main trail I get stuck, again. Really bad. Usually not a big deal because I carry a chainsaw to cut windfalls and brush. But I am on my wife’s snogo. So cutting poles that I can use to leverage out the stuck snogo ain’t happening. Chainsaw is still a mile away on my sled with my beautiful wife. I started to hike back to beautiful wife when I met her on the trail. She was walking out. Gave her a big hug. I had to get to my machine to get saw n rifle with plan to retrieve them n get her stuck but still running sled going so we could get out. I would have to leave my sled there and go retrieve it when I could later.
I get to my broke down snogo n get saw n rifle. Head back to stuck sled n beautiful wife. Well her luck was a bit better than mine. Another group of 4 were heading out to their cabin and came across my beautiful wife n stuck sled. There were 2 strong fellas that got the machine unstuck n turned towards the truck. Yes!
Then the unthinkable happened. As I was trudging through the snow carrying my rifle n chainsaw. I heard some snogos coming and thought we or me could get a hand. I hear the lead fellow say. Just keep going. I watched as they drove past me. NEVER leave someone in trouble out there! What a jerk! Made it to beautiful wife and was relieved to see her snogo unstuck. We made it out to the truck and home.
I had to go retrieve my snogo the next day. That was quite a trip. But I have a partner who knows how to keep her head straight and think issues through and doesn’t panic. In fact i have had to leave her standing out in the middle of nowhere Ak a few times. But those are another story.
I guess the belief that we can take care of ourselves have allowed us to enjoy some parts of Alaska that few see . And even enjoy .
I trust myself and my partner. Hopefully you have the opportunity to check out and challenge your wilderness survival skills. Have a great day.
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