58
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FALL/WINTER2016
out on a vehicle. “The cost andmaintenance
of a truck is easily the most expensive part of
owning a sled.”
But a beater truck-sled combo was the least
of the troubles inmaking the co-operative a
successful venture. Cudlip had zero experience
riding a snowmobile, so the first few outings in
early season conditions were an interesting
learning experience.
“I wasn’t part of a sledding crew and didn’t
really have anyone tomentor me,” he says.
“But after a while, I could tow two skiers no
problem, in good conditions. Early and late
season conditions on the roads slowed things
down with the snowmelt and ditches, but the
biggest challenge was the logistics; having
the right people with the right avalanche skills
available on the right days. That was the only
way to keep it economical.”
After a few trips to work out the kinks, Cudlips’
co-op system actually worked. Hemanaged
ten sled-assisted ski touring trips last winter
(including a fewmulti-day excursions) and
together with a stack of maps andmany hours
trawling Google Earth, the sled co-op crew
succeeded in accessing zones far beyond the
standard, well-punched skin tracks of local
touring hotspots. Of course, the season included
plenty of days of touring without the sled, but
seizing thosemotor-assisted opportunities on
the right days with the right people allowed
Cudlip to reach corners of the Coast Mountains
he previously didn’t know existed.
“Where the dividends paid off was on the multi-
day trips, where the trip cost for fuel rewarded
us with up to three days of touring in these
remote zones,” says Cudlip. “Over the season it
still came out as a substantial cost per day, but
I don’t see how anyone could have done it for
cheaper than we did.”
Thisparticularbackcountrysledco-op is
not currentlyacceptinganynewmembers, but
enthusiastsareencouraged to form theirown.
Together with a stack of maps andmany hours trawlingGoogle Earth, the sled co-op crew succeeded
in accessing zones far beyond the standard, well-punched skin tracks of local touring hotspots.
The ride up is cooperative, the ride down is all you. VINCE SHULEY
