Randy and I have been together as a couple for 35 years. And Randy has snowmobiled every season in that 35 years. We have done many trips together and many more apart.
Much has changed about our lives and snowmobiling in 35 years. We had a family—three children who also enjoy snowmobiling. But Randy enjoying mountain snowmobiling is one of the things that has stayed the same. Snowmobiles have changed drastically, higher performing, with bigger engines and more specialized tracks that get you farther and higher.
When Randy is heading out for a snowmobile trip, we discuss where he is going and when he will be back. This is so I know when I need to send help. And of course, where to send help. For example, I know that if Randy says he will be home Sunday evening, I am not to send help until Monday afternoon (that is the timetable works for us). With InReaches and satellite phones available now—unlike in 1986—this is not quite as relevant as it once was, but they require a clear view of the sky and sometimes when you’re in the trees, you don’t have that.
Knowing that he is snowmobiling in the Wolverine area in Tumbler Ridge is also important. Telling Search and Rescue that he is snowmobiling “somewhere” around Tumbler Ridge is not enough information. There are three main snowmobiling areas and looking at all of them take up a lot of time and human resources.
I’m also lucky as the worrying wife as Randy has now taken many levels of avalanche training and teaches/leads many AST1 courses as well as Avalanche Awareness courses for Summit Avalanche Consulting.
Still, snowmobiling is not without its risks, and Randy has been in a few avalanches, and from my understanding was able to outrun all but one. He was buried, and was very fortunate that our friend Mitch was stopped—not riding—and watching Randy.
When Randy was buried by the avalanche, Mitch knew exactly where to go to help him. It was an innocent looking hill, nothing that you would imagine would avalanche, yet it did and rolled Randy and his snowmobile. He was trapped underneath his snowmobile. And while Randy and the snowmobile were not completely covered, he was trapped underneath it and not able to push the snowmobile off of himself. Fortunately, he was able to breathe—though not easily—but it could have had a different ending. I tell this story often as it shows how quickly and easily things can go bad. Having a regular practice for yourself and the people you ride with can prevent a bad ending.
We as a family know that if you get separated from your group, STOP. WAIT. For us, we know Randy, the guy with the best sense of direction in our crew, will come back and find us.
Years ago, (probably around 1988) my cousin got lost here in the Tumbler Ridge area. Instead of stopping and waiting, he continued to ride around looking for the way out while his group was looking for him. He spent a cold night in the mountains and was found the next day. Luckily nothing more than his pride was hurt.
We lost a good friend in an avalanche 27 years ago, long before there was much available for avalanche tools, courses or awareness, not like there is now. I encourage anyone who is doing backcountry/mountain snowmobiling to invest in themselves by taking an AST1 course, by having warm winter snowmobiling clothing and buying, renting or borrowing avalanche gear.
Some of the things that we practice as a snowmobiling family are:
- Have a trip plan: make sure someone knows where, when and who is going and when the group should be expected back. This includes a time of when the person at home needs to send/ask for help;
- Have emergency gear: some food and gear if you get stranded (matches, soup, fire starter, etc);
- Bring warm winter clothing: dress in layers;
- Take an AST1 course;
- Carry proper avalanche gear: beacon, shovel and probe for everyone in a group (you can buy, borrow, or rent it; just use it);
- Practice finding a beacon: Have someone bury a beacon in the snow. You don’t want your first time trying to find a beacon to be in the field with someone’s life on the line;
- Have a satellite phone;
- Have an InReach or similar device; and
- Check the Avalanche Canada website: know the avalanche conditions for where you are riding before you head out and have the humility to change your plans if conditions are bad.
I have learned much in 35 years—both as the person waiting at home and as a person out snowmobiling. While I have never achieved the passion for snowmobiling, nor the skills that the rest of my family has, I would never trade the memories that I have collected when adventuring out in the winter snowmobiling or snowshoeing with my family and friends.
Playing outdoors in the winter safely is possible, it’s as simple as following some safety precautions, like we do when we put on our seatbelts when getting in our vehicles.
