….If you ever get the chance to take a trip and go camping while snowmobiling up on the side of a mountain, I suggest you do it. Few things in life are that much fun. Here are a few tips and warnings about this Recreation.
Snowmobiling, when safe is a significant activity, but things can go awry very fast make sure especially during heavy snowfall you have the proper safety equipment and Back-up Plan if the machine goes down. Also, make sure that your camping bag has appropriately been packed for a cold camping trip. Sub-Zero sleeping bags and portable heaters if necessary Etc. if everything is on point and packed for the journey, you will enjoy something like you’ve never experienced before
Camping While Snowmobiling
The very first thing when camping while snowmobiling that needs to be brought up is where and when you are going. Many areas that are covered with snow are designated for certain winter recreational Sports, so you need to make sure that snowmobiling is acceptable, and that camping is acceptable on National Land or BLM land because if you get caught where you’re not supposed to be there are hefty fines and possible jail time.
Another precaution is to always check your local forecast for inclement weather and the possibilities of avalanches if you will be creating an avalanche prone areas. Once all that is figured out you might need to pull a permit to go where you want to and that can be completed at your local National forestry headquarters they should be able to tell you all the information you need to know about the area you will be going and what permits and other passes you may need.
More: How to Camp in the desert
Clothing
Once all the form mentioned items are taken care of, then you can get everything packed up To get ready to head out. You will want to make sure and pack necessary gear for riding and camping in the winter.
One of the huge rules to remember is that no cotton it absorbs the moisture and sweat from your body so easily, and when you get wet it can freeze. so please do not wear cotton underneath your snowmobile clothes
A better first layer is going to be a polyester blend long underwear top and bottom. Make sure these garments aren’t too tight so your body can breathe. Another type of fabric includes silk because of its thin and lightweight makeup that allows your body to dry naturally and keep moisture away from your skin.
Try wearing more than one layer the more you wear, the more you can take off if you start getting warm and not having to search for more clothes that you did not bring to put on trying to get warmer. You see the logic here you can always take more off, but you can’t put more on.
here is a short list of a few items you might want to pack
- snowmobile suits
- goggles
- Gloves
- helmet
- face mask
- snowmobile boots
- heavy duty winter socks
- stocking cap
Tools
It’s best to bring a friend or a group because you don’t want to get stuck up there with a broken machine if you do end up having an issue at least you’ll have somebody you can ride back with or might have the knowledge to be able to help you fix it if you don’t.
Depending on how far you go out what kind of terrain you will be riding this is probably one of the first things you think about before going on your snowmobile trip. Usually, snowmobiles have a basic kit they come with but if its an older model they could all be scattered in your garage or something.
here’s a list of tools you might need to pack with you
- Spark plug wrench
- Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
- A tow rope
- electrical tape
- a bag of Rags
- some bungee cords
- razor knife pliers
- Extra battery
- Walkie Talkies
Location
Once you are packed and ready to go, head out, it’s going to be a fun ride. Depending if you’re going by yourself, with a partner or with a group. You’re going to need to find a spot, and when you do find a place, you need to understand where you are. Are you right on a track where other snowmobilers are going to be coming through and waking you guys up in the middle of the night? Or are you away from the main path where you guys can rest and have some privacy.
Another thing to think about or wild animals that might be brought closer to Camp by the noise of people in the surrounding areas you must think it’s not normal to have such sounds in the outdoors and the animals that live there going to be curious and want to check it out.
Make sure you keep food in tight containers and put up that night, so it does not attract animals to Camp by the odor of food.
Gear
Just with any other type of Adventure, you need to be packed correctly. With the right kind of activity, you will be doing. Now being up high and in the snow. You will need a certain amount of tools that you will be bringing along if that’s Towing something behind you or packing it on a backpack and dragging it on your sled then that’s what it is but remember everything you take in you got to bring back so don’t make more than is necessary.
- 550 Cord
- Altimeter
- Cell phone and satellite phone
- Cookstove (Small)with pot, utensil, and fuel
- Emergency candles
- Firestarter
- Fluorescent tape or flagging
- GPS-beacon
- Headlamp
- Hunting knife
- Map, compass
- Multi-tool
- Saw for wood
- Shovel (tempered)
- signal mirror
- Snow Probe (10 ft min.)
- Spare batteries
- Sub temp Sleeping bag (-50)
- Tinfoil
- Toilet paper
- Waterproof lighting source—flint
- Whistle
- Winter tent
Keeping Your Gear Dry
So at the end of the day, when you get back to your Camp, You’re going to want to dry off. Now if it’s super cold, as soon as you take it off and get into your night gear, it will freeze. What I suggest is to bring a Buddy propane heater with you and that way you can dry your socks, your pants, your gloves, your boots, and anything that got wet throughout the day. That way when you start fresh in the morning, you’re not going to be uncomfortable.
Another option is if you can start a fire to hang a clothesline across over top of the fire from a tree to your machine. And hang your socks above the fire. Of course not close enough to catch on fire, but you get the gist. And if necessary you could lay your stuff on your idling machine it will waste gas, but it will warm up your socks your boots Etc.
Sun
Make sure you wear sunglasses and sunscreen because the glare of the snow is going to torch you your face your eyes everything that is exposed to the air is going to be hit with the Sun. Bring up in the snow and at a higher elevation means that sun’s coming in hot even if it’s behind clouds or it’s gloomy, or you’re in the shade or behind Mountain that doesn’t matter.
80% of the UV radiation is going to be reflected at you compared to at a beach where it’s only 20% coming off the sand that’s a big difference and not to mention because you are so high or closer to the Sun
So sunscreen and sunglasses and don’t forget to reapply sunscreen anytime you think about it. Just put it on. It’s going to help you in the long run, it will also keep your skin from drying out after riding for 8 hours a day.
Be Responsible
By the way, I should have mentioned this earlier in the article. Don’t forget to let your friends and family know which way you are going to travel, or which recreational area you will be staying. Because if they don’t hear back from you by the time you’re supposed to be home, they need to send somebody out to look for you.
Hopefully, that doesn’t happen, and if it does happen hopefully, you are adequately prepared with a GPS beacon or cell phone somebody they can pin your positioning. it’s incredible to go out and have these Great Adventures, but we need to be able to go out and do it safely so we can come home to our families when it’s all said and done because that’s what it’s all about
Conclusion
And finally, when you go camping while snowmobiling, have some fun. We work hard day in and day out to be able to go ride and explore the Wilderness like this. So enjoy it and take lots of pictures. Write it down in a journal. Somehow document what you’re doing because in the future all you have is memories. So pack right, be ready, and let’s hope they’re great memories.
Relax. Explore. Enjoy.
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