Anyone who wants to get out to Cottonwood Pass area or the wood give me a call or shoot out a e-mail - a week ahead would be nice. We would be happy to show anyone around up here - any day but Saturday.
I just got out my sled yesterday and it has me Jonesen to go - now all I have to do is get this damn shoulder back into shape. This year we are going to set up some hand rails up there 1 dbl kink, 1 rainbow, and 1 40 straight, We will have to show people where they are Rock Island is the only clue here!
Mike we do have to hook up I have to get and Hixtons number I cant say how many days we sit here and call everyone we know to go ski and then end up on the couch watching slednecks because of no partners to go with. Also talk TMOINC into a sled he would be another great addition to a fun crew. The crew is shaping up well this year Jimmy H is back in town and the local snowmobile club got a 2nd cat for grooming on the Taylor Park side of the pass.
As far as clean sleds look into Yamahas 4-stroke sleds they are pretty much the only ones that work well in a mountain environment. The SDI (Semi Direct Injection) ignitions system that Skidoo is using produce the best emission results for 2-stroke sleds and the REV chassis kicks ass. The 2006-07deadline for snowmachine emissions will change the book as we know it for 2-stroke sleds. Not one of the big three (Polaris, Arctic Cat, or Skidoo) has a 2-stoke engine that can pass those standards. Who know who will be president but if it is Duba I imagine that these standards will be relaxed or extended before they take effect.
The only problem with the 4-stroke sleds is the high weight and low power that they put out not to mention the high price tag (relative to a similar 2-stroke sled). The 2006 standards will no doubt if left in place help in the future with emissions (for those who can afford a new 10K machine). For now it is what it is. The choice of a heavy, underpowered, expensive, clean snowmachine, essentially does not marketability. Remember that BC riders are a very small portion of the people who ride snowmachines and most sleds are sold not here out west but up in the northern mid-west/east. Next week I have to be out in Thief River Falls Minnesota and I have a meeting set up to talk with them about a Backcountry Specific sled. With all the modifications all ready in place. I will relay the message about the clean engine and see what their vision is for the future and this market.
Finally I have to agree with RiverWrangler. The just because you can get there does not mean that it is safe. Basically it is never totally safe - risk is a part of life but unfortunately so is stupidity.