Yesterday, three inbound snowmobilers passed us as we were climbing up the north end of West Willow Ridge at about 5,000 ft. They passed us again on their way out at about 6,400 as we were nearing the shoulder of Stevens Peak near the head of West Willow basin. The photo above (click 2x to zoom in) shows what we saw when we reached the vantage point on the ridge above the basin and what three snowmobilers can do in a short time. The precedent is being set.
That makes me mad! Several of us have been waiting all season to start skiing the basin, we’ve toured in the area 6 times this season patiently waiting and profiling the snowpack. And now this!!!! And how nothing cut loose….LUCKY! My desire to ski the basin has diminished.
It won’t be long before there is no where safe for us to ski. One of these days some snowmobile is going to bring a slope down on a group.
That was really dangerous highmarking. Several people have died in avalanches in that basin. Note the massive overhanging cornice and the cornice debris downslope. Nice picture by the way.
Pretty depressing sight isn’t it. It was preceeded by the usual annoying sound. I don’t think anyone will have to worry about the snowmobiles bringing an avalanche down on them. These three got into the basin, completely tracked it out, and headed for home in less than 2 hours. The snomobiles will be riding back out before you pull your skins for your first run. On the bright side, the slope will be throughly “tested.”
Sorry for the sarcasm, but I am concerned folks are missing the point. This posting should upset you, it also should motivate you. We want you to share your thoughts here and on the trip reorts page. We also need you to share them with the Forest Service as well. Call the IPNF office or use their website to submit comments through the Contact Us link. Start with this incident and then send a message in every time you are out skiing, every time you have a snomobile encounter that detracts from your experience. Even let them know when you have a really good day. The motorized groups are constantly talking with the FS. Silence is acceptance, the old saying goes. We are out of time for silence.
This is pretty troubling. Machine riders are completely oblivious to what goes on around them and how others might be affected by what they have done. Non-motorized people who get out in the woods to finally enjoy peace and quite for a change are often disturbed my machine riders miles away by noise, not to mention the tracks and resource distruction by wheels. We are surrounded by machines all day long in our cities and work life. We should be able to have some place to escape to for the sound of silence, wind, snow, rain, rivers and streams, and wildlife.
Some of the comments on here are very narrow-minded. A lot of motorized users enjoy getting out into the wilderness just as much as non-motorized users. What would happen to people with physical disabilities that cannot make it into an environment like this area without the use of a machine?
No area can be considered 100% safe at all times. Snowmobiler or skier while ascending or descending an incline, is always at risk.
Just to share a few thoughts here as I am a snowmobiler. Were the skiers going into that area to “track” it up just as the snowmobilers did? What makes a skier have more of a right to ski public land that isn’t wilderness compared to a snowmobilier? The truth is really simple. The skier had just as much of a chance to set off an avalanche as the snowmobilier did. What would have happend if all of the skiers were at the bottem and the last skier taking their run set off the avalanche while everybody was in the run out zone? Would the skiers have been praised for being safe that day? Would it have been any different if the snowmobilers had dug a pit and tested conditions but still set off an avy?
It is simple folks. Enjoy the outdoors. Snowmobilers like myself and skiers like yourself live for winter. We wake up every morning wishing for a fresh dump of virgin powder. Don’t bash us because we beat you there. Everybody that day was going in there to enjoy a great day in god’s country. The snowmobilers did absolutly nothing wrong there from the picture I can see. Niether did the skiers. I suggest waking up earlier next time and beating us there. We would be glad to give you guys a ride to the top so you can enjoy multiple runs but instead you bash us for waking up early to enjoy the pristine day.
Your car made noise that day getting to your take off point. So did ours. Enjoy the outdoors instead of bitching about it.
See you on the mountain!
couldn’t agree with you more brian…its there for everyone to enjoy and why does everyone have to be against each other instead of working together for a common goal of some winter fun.
Skiers going down a slope is no more dangerous as a sledder going up it. Snowmobilers and skiers alike, are all in it for the same reason: we love winter. Nothing like waking up at 4am to be riding at 6 and to see the sunrise on fresh sparkly powder at 7. Some people like to take more of a risk; everybody has their limits and some people like to push it to the edge despite the immanent dangers and consequences/rewards.
I have to agree, the backcountry is there for everyone. when my dad could no longer walk, let alone snowshoe, he turned to a sled to haul him in…..why take that away? I see plenty of lines that can still be carved.
I ski and sled as well as spend 15 plus days in the wilderness every year. I enjoy the fact that there are places where I will not hear or see anything mechanized, yet I am always happy to know there are reasonably wild areas that are easily accessable too.
derek hanson quote…” We should be able to have some place to escape to for the sound of silence, wind, snow, rain, rivers and streams, and wildlife” you do, it’s called wilderness, where you can’t take a motorized vehicle into it…check it out, idaho has a lot of it…
as far as snowmobile tracks and tracking up the mtn..well there is a really cool thing that happens every spring/summer…wait for it…your going to be surprised…here it comes….SNOW MELTS! tah dah, no more tracks!!!
also skiers, you have a really cool thing available to you..it’s called ski resorts…you know like the one you could of kept goint to called lookout pass, or the one that you drove by in your noisey car called silver moutain…
what it boils down to is, we all have the right to use the backcountry…Sorry
also, i find it funny how snowshoers, cross country skiers and backcountry skiers use snowmobile trails and money to get around…you walk and ski on the groomed trails..
i’m sorry, but i love the backcountry, we have every right to be there as much as you…