Went out for a ride today despite the dismal trail conditions out there. On the way to Camp Conawanga in Redbridge we came across one of North Bay's groomers out there trying to get the trails ready. Well, despite the week of cold tempetures, and the minimal snow cover, the swamps still aren't frozen enough for a heavy groomer to cross. The groomer had broken through the ice, and was stuck bad. Worse the fan was blowing water into the breather and it was starting to run pretty rough.
Well, we went to work. Took the cover off the breather so the water could drain out and the motor could suck in air from a dry source. Cut up some logs and got them under the front to get the front end up and out of the ice. If we could've got the drag unhooked it would 've came out pretty easy, but a drag under water, loaded with mud and ice is not easy to pull.
Finally we hooked some chain to the cleats of the tracks, then to a cable and to a stump. The make-do winch pulled the machine up and out of the water. We had a bit of trouble getting the chains unhooked and untangled from the tracks, but eventually we got it all straightened out.
It was still hard to get the drag out of the hole, but with a bit of back-and-forth and lots of revs it eventually came out.
Hopefully no damage was done to the groomer. It seemed to run fine, and the operators left on their way, with plans to get all the fluids checked when they got back to the shop.
We lost about 2.5 hours of the afternoon, but it made for an interesting day, and with the trail conditions this year I didn't mind missing out on a couple hours of riding. Alls well that ends well.
I just wish I had had my camera to get some pics. It was pretty cool seeing the thing come crawling up out of the water.

Great to hear how you guys got that groomer out :thumbsup: They were lucky!

The ice infront of us has a thick layer of slush under the fresh powder and on top of a thin base layer of ice. Very deceiving and dangerous.

WOW! Good for you NFLDBullet for sticking around to help.
I'm sure they appreciated it.
LOL, they also probably appreciated you not having a camera with you.
Their buddies will probably never let them live it down as it is.

Jeff

I now know what you mean! I was just up there and it's pretty sketchy. We saw people going across Whitefish and decided to go as well. Kept the throttle on, but still, the back end would break through a good 50 feet of slush at points before getting back on top. It made for a very scarry ride. I didn't like it much, but it's the only way to the Seguin for us.
Great to hear how you guys got that groomer out :thumbsup: They were lucky!

The ice infront of us has a thick layer of slush under the fresh powder and on top of a thin base layer of ice. Very deceiving and dangerous.[/b]

I did not forget mine

look what I found stuck in the middle of the trail

Unfricken believable. I've seen 4x4 tracks on groomed trails a few times this year. What is it with people?

seen a half dozen quads and 4 trucks on the trails here

lol, watch that truck is stolen and you guys have your finger prints on the windows because you were taking a peek

lol, watch that truck is stolen and you guys have your finger prints on the windows because you were taking a peek[/b]

I don't know about finger prints but they would be better off leaving a nice big boot print in the door as a little reminder that this is a snowmobile trail. :tongue:

Been there, Hubby and I came upon a truck stuck up to its wheel wells in the trail... just off the Highway, Poor little old lady still in the passenger seat... We asked her if she needed help, she said her husband had started walking up the highway to the lodges..(about 10 miles away) it was below freezing.. we told her to run the truck for a few minutes every so often to keep warm and we would find her husband and get him to safety and get a tow truck.. Luckily some other sledders had picked him up and rode him to the lodge and help was on the way... We were so scared all the way to the lodge, because we could find him..Just glad he was safe...
No Brains No Headaches..

I reported the truck to police
at 430pm

On my way back met up with the police and truck

It was stolen on Monday

the owner was 60-70yrs old and rather pissed/upset

Hey NB I've got some pics of the groomer from Andy. I'll put them up when I get the chance. Was quite the afternoon eh. I also heard your burks falls ride was pretty sour too. Tough weekend snowmobiling.

Yea Flash the trails in Burke's Falls were ridiculous. I can't believe they were "officially" open. Way worse then anything in North Bay. Moguls and rocks everywhere except the swamps which were just muddy.
I hear you guys are going to Bonnfield for wings on Thursday...hopefully I'll see you guys there.
I'm looking forward to seeing some of the pics too. Are you going to post some here, or on the clubs website?