Ummm... where to start?

I'm a climber... no not the snowmobile type climbing (at least not yet!)... the hands and feet and ice tools and crampons type of climbing... stuff like this:

http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/plab/data/500/jp_p1_3.JPG
My dilemma is this: the NW has lots (understatement?) of winter climbing... my good friend John documents much of it here: mountain porn overload (http://www.pbase.com/nolock/)

The problem is one would have to literally ski for days to get even remotely close to many of these mountains... let alone climb the thing once you get there.

Being that my boss isnt about to give me 6 months of vacation a year: I need a snowmo! More specifically:

- It should be able to carry 2 people. It doesnt necessarily need to do so comfortably but as long as I can squeeze two on that is all that matters. More importantly it should be able to carry 2 (+ a little gear) and still break trail/climb. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 lbs total (riders + gear)
- Though not my first preference if needed I could tow my partner behind the sled on his skis... Ive done this before (towed and been towed) and though its a little sketchy it worked.
- It should be able to break trail (is that what you call it?) i.e. I will be sledding through untracked powder most of the time... occasionally on trail/where others have rode but a good portion of my trips will definitely be sledding in the backcountry
- Terrain? I will be splitting my time sledding between logging/dirt/unplowed roads of various grade and steeper open slopes.

I'm leaning towards used (I have about 5000 +/- to work with) and am basically looking for some general recommendations on
- engine size?
- track length?
- particular makes/models that fit what I'm looking for that have a reputation as a solid sled?
- # of miles before a sled needs an overhaul?
- recommended upgrades to either look for or purchase?
- anything else I should know?

Any and all info would be greatly appreciated!

I would go with a 2up sled for what your looking for. But the bad thing about a 2up sled. Is that it's not made to break through snow with two riders on it. It's more for trail riding.

You want a Utility sled. They are work horses, and they have wide and long tracks to carry gear over unbroken trail. They will take you and your buddy and there is room for gear. They are heavy and they are made for work, not so much play.

Nearly every maker has one in their line up. Skidoo has several from 4 stroke to 2 big engine and small. Yamahopper makes a good 4 stroker too, and so does Cat. I don't think there is much in the polaris line-up that will work well, but certainly some that would work.

If you aren't going in -40 temps, I would look hard at a good solid 4 stroker, for good gas mileage and reliability.

My personal choice would be a Cat or a Doo...but that is because I own all of the makes and think that Polaris has gotten cheap, and I don't like Yamaha because they don't cover warrantee unless they want to...my own experience again. Cat has a solid motor and tried and tested chasis.

Should be able to find a good one for about $6k bearly used, perhaps new.

One more thing. Invest in a good "spot" or satphone because if you break down with only one sled and no hope of another coming by, your going to become a human popsicle...which wouldn't bother me, but might not make your Mother too happy.

Being new to this myself, I didnt realize how difficult it can be to "break" a trail. This is something you should keep in the back of your mind, that is things in the bush are always more difficult then they seem.

I am somewhat like you in that Snowmobile is secondary to what i lkie to do. I hunt in the middle of the winter. I know where your coming from with regards to getting into places.

I wish I wiuld have learned more about things before I made a decision, it still worked out

As a side note, my 2up is just enough for me and my gear, not alot of room for another rider. I would think, at least for weight reasons, you should each get your own. Additionally, you have the ability to rescue each other !

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/Rprecision_photo/Coyote011608059-1.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc299/Rprecision_photo/Hunting2008023-1.jpg

Good luck

Yeah my first sled was a Polaris Widetrack LX and something like that is your best bet. However, it is slow, not very maneuverable, and can't handle really deep fresh snow. But really you're not going to have much luck trying to ride 2-up in big snow conditions no matter what sled you choose. Snowmobiling is more like kayaking when the snow is very deep, it's all about your balance. Put two people on there and you are not going to make it very far. It really is a sport in itself so you have to take it seriously. That said, I would get a wide track work sled and go for it. Just don't head out after a 3-foot storm, wait until there is a firm base going and then you will have no problems. If you still have snow right now like I do, a Widetrack will definitely get you where you want to go because it's all glacial packed slush at this point. But early February this year we had 8 feet of basically fluffy powder with no firm base, and in stuff like that you won't get up too many real hills.

But I always get concerned about going out with just one snowmobile. I frankly won't do it anymore. What if it breaks down and you are 30 miles from the road? I realized this pretty quick, and soon my wife had a sled of her own. Then I realized we didn't need the widetrack if we are both riding. Then when I got a faster sled I realized that snowmobiling is more fun than any other winter sport in the world, and I used to ride pro boardercross (snowboard racing) so I know a few things about winter sports. But then again I won't climb ice like you so maybe that is the next level. One reason I got tired of boarding is it's just not exciting anymore unless I'm doing something life-threatening, and I guess with ice climbing that's the case all the time :) But I won't be taking that one up, you can have it :) Good luck.