Multipleuse

I am a guilty sledder in respect to noise. I have an older sled that I have pieced together because I have two kids in College and refuse to spend $10,000 on a toy. The exhaust system on my particuular machine boosted performance by over 40%, but that was before pipe makers woke up and designed quieter pipes. If I could go back in time and get quiet pipes for a 96 model year that gave me the 40% improvement I would do it. Synthetic oils have greatly reduced the smoke left behind snowmobiles, especially once they reach operating temperature. Direct fuel inject is also coming. They are making 4 stroke snowmobiles that are getting more competent in the mountains and have made some strides this last year, but they are underpowered and heavy. Take out the noise issue (which I know offends most of you) but show me a skier or mountain climber that will buy new equipmnet that is inferior to what you have now. Heavier skis, equipment and clothing would not be what the majority of skiers would by just because of a "cause". I would be disappointed if I planned a quite afternoon hiking somewhere only to find an ATV trail on the ridge. Knowing the area you are going is important for safety reasons as well as enjoyment. (No sno-cats) If I had time (check that-was commited) I would get out my x-country skis and get in ski-shape to cut up a slope.

Never did I intend to say that snowmobiling is EXERCISE!! I just know from personal experience that you can get a great workout while riding. I have also skied and hiked a lot in my life and know those physical demands. I admit a secret fantasy of telelmarking down a virgin powder slope but am unwilling to put in the time to become good enough to do that. My biggest contention is that while there are some stupid snowmobiliers, they do not represent the typical sledders. If the horror stories of environmental abuse are in fact not exaggerated or over-stated, It sounds like Shriebers(sp)meadow should have snowmobile tracks ripping across the pristine meadow when the snow melts. I do expect to hike there with my family this summer and trust me, I will look for any tell-tale sign of lingering damage. I expect more so that I will find ocassional granola wrappers, gatorade bottles and my favorite, dog poop. It may be below some you experts, but take a hike to Talapus lake and see the great respect the public has for staying on the trails and avoiding wet areas. I know it is overused, but just an example that all aspects of forest use have stupid people using them. Does If I was a skier and wanted solitude, I would try any of the millions of acres of snow covered mountains that are desinated for that purpose. (non-Motorized use) As far as staying on trails, I will if you do. I don't expect that you would enjoy following each other single file on a designated trail to the top of Easton GLacier. I also contend that there are not any trails that are made veritally up cliffs. Best you stay off there also. And what about those brighly colored devices left behind to biodegrade in cliff faces!!! Will those holes drilled in the virgin rock face slowly fill in again naturally!! I appreciate the comments made by some of your members. We do have our issues with sledders but there is an effort being made to improve the actions of the whole industy. We are thankful that we have an oppertunity to ride Mt Baker and Mt St. Helens. Both places have small areas that are open for use and we want to do what is necesary to keep them open.

You have to love Al Gore’s internet. Kind of fun to read the hate some of you have towards the evil “bilers”. Can’t we all just get along? We all have horror stories of our those we love to hate. The two worst experiences I have had with people in over 30 years of hunting, hiking, x-country skiing, snowshoeing, boy scout leadership, motorcycle riding…. were with cross country skiers at Crystal springs/Iron horse trail and the trail head at Mt Baker. I actually stopped near a cross country skier that I honestly thought was hurt (the way she was sprawled on the trail) only to have her ream me a new one for being on a closed trail. I apologized, but wondered if she was right. Luckily, back at the sno-park, the Sheriff was there and I talked to him with my map in hand. He fully explained the map and told me there had been several instances like this. As I rode back down the trail, I stopped and offered the map to the group of skiers and suggested that instead of verbally attacking a sledder, she should have her facts straight. She wadded up the map and threw it at my feet. I think her husband/lover was actually embarrassed by her action. At Baker, I was naïve and shocked at the obnoxious trail blocking and angry comments we got from the skiers as we were preparing to go up Baker. It is officially declared open/closed by some magical spot in Schriebers meadow. There were some low spots of snow and there were 4 foot piles. I was glad to enjoy the nice weather and an opportunity to be on the mountain. In some of the narrow trail spots going through the trees, the click-clicks refused to move off the trail as they stood there and rested. The part that I don’t understand from my Multiple use viewpoint is why would you go to the NRA of Baker on a sunny day late in the spring, knowing it was open to snowmobilers, then complain about it. That mountain has way more area open for you than us. Kind of like buying a prime spot of real estate at the airport runway, then complaining/suing over the noise. If you hate us so much, just go somewhere else until the 24” min is hit. Bottom line, I respect the forests and the opportunity to enjoy them as much as you do. I would rather see 50 miles worth in a day with a motor than 10 without! And if any of you think that riding a snowmobile is not physically demanding, I have a bridge to sell. It can be very physically challenging. Come along for a ride and I garuntee muscles you didn't know you had will ache the first few rides. (Arms, Legs, Shoulders) Flame away now but remember, “let him without sin cast the first stone”. All climbers are not as pure as you want to portray