Sled Necking

Well, kinda… Last year Dan & I doubled down on some sick sleds. Machines with serious beef that could take you virtually anywhere you wanted to go in the back country. This year, Ally joined our little posse of completely clueless sledders. Dan & I were lucky to get 10 or 15 days on the sleds last year and started to learn a few skills. While we learned some basics, the lesson most seared in was that these beasts of the back country were hard to handle and that it would take some time to master. I’ve gotten out a few times this year and tried to continue to grow the skills. With a few mishaps here and there things are starting to come along, and we even got Dan on our first sled assisted Tahoe back country run. We have lots of zones to explore, and lines to scope and find, but every day things are a little more promising than the last in our slow sled neck education.

And then there were two – Ally's new RMK joins my whip

Ally on her new 800cc steed

Took Maher out for a little sled neck education

After some serious rains in late Jan navigation became difficult on the jeep road in Blackwood

An unfortunate collapse – fortunately the engine was above water

Looks cold, Dan

After ditching the sled and heading to town for supplies we free the sled from the impending ice

A nice sunny day with views out canyon and to the lake

Clear and awesome conditions when the sun pops

After a successful double we are atop the ridge below Barker Peak

Dan's first BC sled assisted shred

D.Hass making it look pretty easy

Me laying one over

Late in the day but think we found a little zone we could access the next time

Another good day, indeed Mr. Haas

Suns out and up at elevation

Heats up quick and smearing some turns

Ally first sled rip

Cold Stream exploration – the foot of a promising zone

Ally gets off the path at Donner 

Digging a ton with Maher

Playing with the big boys up Negro Canyon 

Sled Mishaps in Blackwood

A glorious day of recon in Blackwood

A great day in Blackwood – finally getting some turns in

Some further Cold Stream exploration