❄️Welcome New Members:
Reagan & Tim Stapleton- They have been riding for 3 years and have a Polaris & Skidoo! They live in the Renton area and are excited to learn new areas to ride.
Mark Traverso-rides 800 Skidoo and Snow Scooter! He lives in Fall City.
Stephanie reminded everyone to check out Chris Mayer's information on FB. He did a presentation at the International Snow Science Workshop in Innsbruck Austria on his Avy Training program Backcountry Ascender! Continuing his life saving International Avy awareness campaign! If you haven't worked on this program yet, you definitely should! https://backcountryascender.com/
❄️Upcoming Events:
3/23/2019 Baker Shootout with the NW Glacier Cruisers
3/30/2019 Lee & Shirley Koger's Famous Steak Ride, BYOB & BYOS ( Bring your own sled)
4/10/2019 CDS Meeting & Board Elections
5/18/2019 FS (Forest Service) Snow park clean up
6/01/2019 CDS Annual Award Banquet & End of the year Party-Pig Roast at Lake Sammamish State Park Potluck & Fun.
Stephanie reminded everyone to go to FB & vote for the fun club awards: Snowmobilet/couple of the Year, Horse's Patoot, Rubber-side up, & Mileage Award.
❄️Ride Reports:
Tony & Kylie rode Gold Creek & Crystal Springs last weekend. Meadow Mountain SW of parking had deep snow & weather was sunny. Great time riding. 2 weeks ago they went to Margaret Mountain 2000' above parking.
Kyle Engleberg rode McCall & NWAC Poker run with SnoJammers.
Marc Childs rode with Glen, & the Ferrians doing a Beacon Outreach on Alpental.
Tom Shields did Catbox with Alex & Kyle at the NW Glacier Cruiser Mt. Baker ride. Visibility was bad.
Jon Ferrian reported on the WSSA Rendezvous. Glenn Markovitz coordinated some great Mountain rides. Encouraged everyone to go next year for the fun events and to help support the Legal Action fund that keeps our trails open.
Ken Trout rode Stehekin and Chelan area.
Darren borrowed Carrie's sled and rode McCall & lost windshield. He now has a new Skidoo on snow check. Carrie rode Mt. Baker on the Ladies Ride.
❄️WSSA Report:
Tony Keys reported that the Snow Bike Bill has passed the House and heading to the Senate. The purpose of this bill is to resolve the issues of surrendering titles for motorcycles converted to snow bikesand the proper allocations of funds from the registration they will be able to obtain if passed For more information & to continue support for this bill go to: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1436&Year=2019&Initiative=false
New Issue after the Snow Bike Bill has passed will be, "Side by Side" regulations. Glenn Markovitz talked about determining weight and width restrictions. Club discussion on why, where, & repercussions.
New WSSA Board Members:
www.wssa.us
President Dean Meakin (509) 220-1001 dean.meakin@wssa.us (800) 783-WSSA (9772)
Vice President Delia Alred (509) 965-8305 delia.alred@wssa.us
Past President Jim Kingman (509) 698-3658 jim.kingman@wssa.us
Recording Secretary Shannon Lawler (206) 423-5584 Shannon.lawler@wssa.us
Treasurer Fred Pitzer P.O. Box 668 Yakima, WA 98907 (509) 698-4001 fred.pitzer@wssa.us
Membership Secretaries Wayne & Florence Mohler (509) 674-4401 fwmohler@msn.com
Publicity Secretary Matt Mead (509) 424-1575 matt.mead@wssa.us
WSSA Awards:
- Snowmobile Couple of the Year - Ron & Dee Alred
- Snowmobile Club President of the Year - Tom Shields
- Snowmobile Club of the Year - Spokane Winter Knights
- Snowmobile Dealer of the Year - Lifestyles Honda, Mt. Vernon
- Snowmobile Groomer of the Year - Travis Martinek, Back Country Grooming
International Snowmobile Congress
Date: June 5th-8th, 2019
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
A gathering of snowmobilers from around the U.S., Canada and Europe. Find out what goes on behind the scenes to make snowmobiling possible! Details available at: www.snowmobilers.org/isc
❄️Grooming Report-
Bill Yager reported on the Grooming Council meeting.
Grooming ends the end of March. FS must give special permissions for more grooming which is doubtful.
Discussion on snowmobilers crossing private paroperties in the Easton John Wayne Trail area. Long discussion on areas over bridge where only dog sleds are allowed.
Warning: FS has been issuing many tickets for non-registered sleds.
❄️NWAC report:
Jon Ferrian reported that FS will be at Gold Creek to sell snow park permits.
Ambassador project has been successful! NWAC volunteers are going out to educate Avy awareness on the trails. They sled to different areas and talk to groups out on the trails to help promote safe riding practices and gear.
NWAC App is Back. Links to weather etc will be updated on a regular basis. Go to: www.nwac.us
❄Board Elections:
Tony Keys was nominated for President
Kyle Engberg was nominated for VP
Darren King was nominated for Secretary
Edythe Ferrian has graciously agreed to continue being Treasurer.
Kurt Zeutschel Past President & Stephanie Presentation. Review of Tips & Tricks from previous Board member presentation.
“Safer Riders. Better Riders”
Micro-Jet Butane Torch –Chris $20.00
Stephanie’s BC Link Radio Tips
Always ensure batteries are charged before you ride. Carry a spare on destination trips
Channel Pre-Programming
A: 15.1 (Club Channel)
B: 15.1 (Club Channel)
C: Weather Channel
D: Alternate Channel
E: Alternate Channel
F: 9.11
Clear Communication
Radio check before you leave the SnoPark
Push button, wait one second, then speak
Stephanie’s BC Link Radio
Tips, Continued
Frog SkinzBCA Radio Vent Kit ($4.95)
This company provides a cover that fits over the speaker and microphone area on the BC Link Radio. The FrogzskinBCA Vent Kit helps to prevent water, snow, dirt, debris and other particles from entering the speaker and microphone area on the BC Link Radio.
http://www.frogzskin.com/
In Reach Tips –Carl:
Send and receive 160-character text messages
Communicate 24/7 with a rescue center
Global coverage from Iridium (66 Satellites)
Service Charge –Monthly subscription with multiple plans available
InReach-Send Mapsharelink in free preset
Standard Preset
Actual Message
Link that only shows location:
Customized Preset with Mapsharelink
Check In -OK -Map link for tracking daily activity. https://share.delorme.com/7a0bd29776054008b285484df881
http://dlor.me/A2NY6WB-Jack Davis
•Map share is typically sent via email to someone and can be accessed anytime
•It has all data points including tracking
•It can be configured to allow web users to send messages and Locate Inreach (ping)
•RESOLVES the need for people to SAVE the link
Byron’s CDS Tips and Tricks Easy Unstuck:
•Today’s lighter sleds want to get up on top of snow –use it
•Rock sled to free it up
•No weight on sled
•One on throttle, One pulling ski
•Strap and BRAAP
Newbies -Learn to Lean and Get Sled on Edge
•Build confidence on leaning sled on edge and maintaining momentum
•Learn to stop fighting the sled and trying to ‘pull it over’
•Use someone else's trench turn as ‘banked’ turn in meadow or slight grade
•Put one ski in trench and other outside –accelerate through turn
•Try not to ‘fat hippo’ it
Jacks CDS Tips and Tricks 4 Tips :
(3 Different Sections)
*Sled Dollies that just work for $30 and a little assembly time
*Simple way to organize survival gear
*Travelling as a group thoughts
Tracker saver that 1 person can do easily
Benefits:
•Saves the track by taking pressure off of paddles
•Can be inserted by one person by using the lever
•Can be made out of scrap 2x4
•Multi functional –use on sled deck , trailer, garage, on a dolly
Construction tips:
•Inset track block into stabilizer block by ½ inch for durability
•Use lots of waterproof glue
•Use 3 long screws
•Paint for extended life
Sled Dollies that just work -$30:
Ingredients:
•3 –18x12dollies Harbor Freight
•1 –2x4
•6 -4” screws for track dolly
•30 minutes of time Benefits
•Rock solid
•Can be inserted by one person
•Slot in ski dollies make it easier to put skis up onto dolly
•3000lbs of capacity and decent size wheels make these very functional
Simple way to organize survival gear::
Keep important items:
-Dry
-Clearly Organized
-Somewhat protected from being damaged Use Containters that can be used to transport liquid (water, gas, oil)
-Put a date on it to indicate the last time item was checked
*When Travelling as a Group-Important Things to Remember:
ASSUME THAT EVERY MINUTE COUNTS IN A CRITICAL SITUATION (e.g. You have 10 to 15 minutes to recover someone from an avalanche)
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ 
If you haven’t seen a companion rider for 5 minutes, they may be more than 5 minutes away from you to recover them. That’s a total of 10+ minutes if they are easy to find.
This is likely to be: Out of radio range, they could be seriously hurt, trapped under a sled, gone off a corner, had a serious sled failure, etc.
Group Riding Recommendations & Expectations:
*Always be a great example for others
*Explain your approach & communicate expectations for others. Even if you not a ride leader, it’s good to help our new riders.
*All riders give a collective thumbs up at every intersection, and “help the ride leader” count heads BEFORE you leave you more than double the gap if someone goes the wrong way.
*Stop occasionally and actually ask how people are doing you’ll be surprised what you find out.
*Look people in the eyes now and then…This leterally kept me from having serious frostbite once.
*Pair up when possible even when traveling in a group it provides Double Coverage
*Be a thoughtful & responsible ride companion or leader. You are setting the expectations and behavior with your actions.
*Keep a mental note of when & where you last saw riders. Tell people what you are doing.
Jason’s CDS Tips and Tricks - FIT FOR RIDING:
The Evolution of Snowmobiling:
*Snowmobiles are far more advanced than the typical rider.
*Boondocking continues to become more physically demanding.
The farther riders push into the backcountry…..the further out………..??
*The rider has become the limiting factor of snowmobiling.
*“Decreasing” your physical limitation(s) is imperative.
*More horsepower/bigger track + bigger ass = trouble.
4 Main Aspects of Conditioning for Snowmobiling
• Aerobic
• Anaerobic
• Balance
•Cardiovascular
How Are These 4 Areas Related?
The “CORE” The CORE is composed of muscle groups that attach to your pelvis resulting in a stabilized spine;
• Abdominal
• Lower Back
• Hip Flexors
• Glutes (your booty)
• Hamstrings
Important strength areas of focus for riding;
• Forearms
• Hands
• Upper Back/Lats
• Calf muscles
• STRETCHING
Balance? Why is it important?
*If you can’t balance:
*You’ll lose your line
*Severely limit accessibility
*End up winning a CDS award
Start with a dual axis wobble board
Advance to a 360 degree wobble board…and then….
Use one foot at a time to simulate riding with one leg off the running board
Stretching as an Exercise and its Benefits
Stretching for 5 minutes increases your blood flow, invigorating your body quicker than your daily shot of espresso.
*Studies have shown you are less likely to trip and all. (Better BALANCE)
*Avoid the “static stretch” Focus on mobility and range of motion.
Recommendations:
*Shoulder shrugs, wrist bends, knee lifts hip flexors. HIP FLEXORS!!!
*Soft tissue work with foam rollers.
*Stretching can help lower your blood sugar.
*Stretching helps tame physical and mental tension.
*CDS offers a program through SLEDFIT that incorporates many of these features.
*A very user friendly website for beginners is www.bodybuilding.com/training
Chris G’s CDS Tips and Tricks:
Carabiner style hook
Won’t come off on its own
Easy on and off
Swivel connection on carabiner
Industrial strength cam buckle
Strap loop to hook on to sled
No rubbing/scratches on Sled T
hick/secure strap (84” x 1.5”)
1200lb Capacity
Can be pulled very short or long
Velcro to secure unused strap length
Product Tip: Pro Taper Tie Downs
Where to get them? Amazon – $31.49
*Don’t forget to go through the http://cascadedriftskippers.com/ CDS gets money from every purchase!
Motorcycle Superstore - $31.99 Reviews 5 stars everywhere Many articles advocate them: