Snowmobiling and caching

[kc9gbo]

Ok, so now that winter is finally here who all has done caching and snowmobiling? I’ve thought about doing it, but seems I have been pretty good about cleaning up most of the ones I could reach on the trail. I know about the bookmark list, but most of those are up north (where I want to try to get riding this winter).

[Trekkin and Birdin]

He he, not snowmobilers here. Been mushing a couple times in northern Minnesota and would love a sled and team of dogs for that! Nothing more enjoyable, and far more physical than one would imagine.

Sparse Grey Hackle is your go-to guy on this subject. That’s probably his bookmark list, too.

[cheezehead]

I think this would work. Do a PQ and select the snowmobiling icon. I’m not sure if you are refering to my bookmark or not, but if you are I could try to update it.

[cheezehead]

I did just that. Mark the snowmobiling icon and WI and got 500 like that.
2 Rec trails that I know of this area are the Gandy Dancer and the Tascobia Trails. Another one that takes you all the way in to Superior is the Wild River trail(I think?)

Here is a good Map of the trails I mentioned.
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/ORG/LAND/parks/specific/wildrivers/wildriversfull.pdf

[Sparse Grey Hackle]

So you may ask, “What exactly is snomocaching?” It is something we started doing in 2007 during “The Great Northwoods Treasure Hunt” in which we combined two fun winter past-times: caching and snowmobiling.
(See GC19YQ6)

In 2008, ‘refelo’ coined the phrase when his team found “Star Bay Monster 2” (GC150K9) after we both had visited the island via snowmobiles.

So we want to offer here a bookmark list of geocaches that are ‘doable’ via snowmobile and are either right off the snowmobile trail(s) or can be reached with some hiking with boots or snowshoes. We have done may of these or will do them this season. Some will have notes for the snomocacher.

http://www.geocaching.com/bookmarks/view.aspx?guid=4ad11399-bb5d-4e50-835d-dbe7577e236c

Remember, be prepared and always check trail conditions and DNR reports for ice-safety.

As with any attribute a snowmobile icon may or may not mean that you can get there by sled or that it is actually on a trail. Much the same with the use of a “winter friendly” icon.

Snomocaching is a specialized aspect of caching itself which combines two fun outdoor activites. Caching in winter will definitely sharpen your skills for when spring and summer return.

Some our favorites are put out by sleddogs2 (GC1HJ66) they will attach ammo can by parachute cord and then to a tree. That really can help when you have 5 to 6 feet of snow. We found this one on January 31, 2009. Most winter friendly indeed.

We use a variety of tools. Probes, entrenching shovels, etc. It helps to be prepared. Snowshoes at times. Having a RAM mount for your GPSr is a must.

Have fun. Hopes this helps.

SGH & BB

[Miata]

I have two Yamaha snowmo-caching vehicles I am looking to sell.

http://appleton.craigslist.org/rvs/1506225703.html Shameless plug. 😳

I bet if a person really tried, they could find some real good concentrations along certain routes. The hardest part would be properly securing the GPS and the temperatures involved. What is the wind chill at 100mph? 8)

[kc9gbo]

Cheezehead, didn’t know about your bookmark list, I have SGH’s on my list of keeping an eye on.
I figured that the icon was how the list was made, but in my short search I’ve noticed that alot of folks don’t put the icon on even though it could be reached quite easily from the trail and I am pondering on how to overcome that fact. My one thought was to mount a gps to the sled, but I find myself more focused on where I am currently instead of where I am going to be (if that makes sense).
Waiting on Birdin to put more out on the bike trail (psst, I have a few spots after brushing the trail to Rockland last Sunday…) I should have saved a few on the bike trail just so I could have a reason to have an enjoyable ride this winter, but then I had an enjoyable ride on the bike also.

[cheezehead]

I can send you the PQ I did. But I know for a fact that that is a very nice serise along the Gandy Dancer from St. Croix Falls north.

My bookmark is just a few of the caches right round Hayward. Not very big or detailed.

[Buy_The_Tie]

I’m mad at my snowmobile. Even though I’ve been meticulous about maintenance it has left me stranded no less than 4 times since it was new in 1999.

– Flat-smooth trail, 25MPH, front axle broke.
– Freshly groomed (but soft) RR Grade, 45MPH, seized clutch-side cylinder.
– Lake Crossing (very cold) 55MPH, seized opposite-side cylinder.
– RR Grade (very cold) 50MPH, seized clutch-side cylinder again (ended the season last year with this beauty).

I haven’t renewed the registration for this year, and I’ve dropped most of the insurance on it.

I’ve attempted sno-mo caching only once way up in the UP: Log Entry

We stepped off of the trail and were immediately up to our waists, with 0.2 miles to go. We enjoyed the view (from the trail) then headed back.

[Mister Greenthumb]

We only snowmobiled once to caches and it was a memorable experience. By the time we got back it was blizzard conditions and the sleds barely made it across the lake in blinding conditions. We only found two caches that weekend, Island View and Tailwater treasure. I was out that day with our son-in-law Doug of OPPS5.

February 17, 2008 by Mister Greenthumb and Sunshine (2295 found)
Snowmobiled to within 400′ of this one. Had to walk through knee deep snow all the way to the cache. Located the hiding spot quickly and began the digging. Exposed the container, but could’nt free it from the ice and snow. Luckily we were able to remove the cover. Container was dry inside. Did some trading and left a TB. TFTC

February 17, 2008 by Mister Greenthumb and Sunshine (2295 found)
12″ of new snow today. Our second find today by snowmobile. Got to within .1 of the cache and walked the rest of the way. Fifteen miles from the cabin in a straight line. We were gone 5-1/2 hours and put on 78 miles. Coordinates were about 30′ off on both of our GPSR so it took about 20 minutes to find. Cache was in great condition and well stocked. Left a TB that wants to visit ATV trails. Thanks for a great caching adventure.

[Sparse Grey Hackle]

@kc9gbo wrote:

My one thought was to mount a gps to the sled, but I find myself more focused on where I am currently instead of where I am going to be (if that makes sense)…

We use the RAM mount system for the GPSr. Use pretty much the same components for the bikes, boats and sleds. On the sled we just bolt on the ball mount. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LUID=40862b47-2d1c-4d6c-ac30-3f2cdc368bd5&IID=6dd4d653-3897-4085-b3a0-d819b1664d93

And, yes you do need to watch the trail and your mirrors constantly (same as in a geo-vehicle). We will stop from time to time as we get closer to GZ. When we do we just dismount and take it from there.

Half stepping. (GCNO1D)

If you don’t know what that is you’ll find out having to walk through 48 plus inches of snow off of a groomed trail!

That is why snowshoes are very helpful. GC112DY
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?IID=95993d7b-c166-4dd2-81e9-bc027309f86e&LID=38062086

For snomocaching you also have to worry about Sno Fleas.
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LUID=5836a3f5-2aa0-4cbb-b06b-35766e307c12&IID=60906103-ff73-4e18-9707-edf218c8b226

[Sparse Grey Hackle]

The RAM mount of the GPSr on the sled
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LUID=b652dd6b-babe-42d0-b66a-f9c899cba709&IID=88a84de2-a21a-4e6e-98cb-ccf772109ff8

SGH & BB

[RSplash40]

@Buy_The_Tie wrote:

I’m mad at my snowmobile. Even though I’ve been meticulous about maintenance it has left me stranded no less than 4 times since it was new in 1999.

– Flat-smooth trail, 25MPH, front axle broke.
– Freshly groomed (but soft) RR Grade, 45MPH, seized clutch-side cylinder.
– Lake Crossing (very cold) 55MPH, seized opposite-side cylinder.
– RR Grade (very cold) 50MPH, seized clutch-side cylinder again (ended the season last year with this beauty).

I haven’t renewed the registration for this year, and I’ve dropped most of the insurance on it.

I’ve attempted sno-mo caching only once way up in the UP: Log Entry

We stepped off of the trail and were immediately up to our waists, with 0.2 miles to go. We enjoyed the view (from the trail) then headed back.

Wow! What model, be interesting to see if this was a common problem.

[Miata]

Running too lean with alcohol gas or plugged jet in the carb leaning one side out would be my best guess.

I have to learn how to pull the carbs and clean them since I have a total of 9 carbs on 3 sleds. 🙁

[Sparse Grey Hackle]

@Miata wrote:

Running too lean with alcohol gas or plugged jet in the carb leaning one side out would be my best guess.

I have to learn how to pull the carbs and clean them since I have a total of 9 carbs on 3 sleds. 🙁

😉 This is kind of Off Topic, but those are some really good guesses.

💡 I’d tear those carbs down and rebuild them instead of cleaning them.

➡ Replacing the Buna-N seals with Viton should do the trick. While you are at it…. this also would be a good time to replace the brass needles in the carb. That could eliminate the fuel issues. (If you need info more just PM me).

Try that and you should be all set for some snomocaching. Speaking of which, if you can find 4 or more caches in a day that is a pretty good day for caching UpNort where we go. And, you probably will put on some 50 plus miles on the sleds to do it.

Here is snomocaching log from sub-zero temp day. GC1FCJ2

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LUID=8d423ab8-9cf0-4bab-a2e0-8911ae33474d&IID=976629ca-fd26-4cc7-99de-71e53a512673

This log is for a cache on an island. It took two trips and lots of digging but we finally found it. A great way also to get some LCG points.

BTW wind chills do not hamper the GPRr too much from what we have experienced. (Just exposed skin.)

SGH & BB

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