A sad day for me!  You all know how much I enjoy snowmobiling.  It all went out with a bang yesterday.  We had two great tours to end it off though!  Friday was fantastic.  Still lots of snow but it got pretty soft towards the end of the day.  However we still did the regular route to the top of Hodges, through Peace Valley, back-country chalet, Monica Bog and out.  We only had one small brook go out on us which wasn’t a big deal.    It was over 20 degrees and we were riding with shirts or thin jackets on.  On the way back out to greet Saturdays tour (my family was spending Easter in the back-country chalet) it was clear the snow was going to take a beating that day.  I met the group, drove to the top of Hodges and looked down on Peace Valley (where I passed just 2 hours before with very little slush evident) and saw that the  whole valley was filling up with water.  It looked like fun to me and after consulting with the group, we decided that we would take the fun route….through Peace Valley where we normally go.  Keep in mind the water was not deep and the group was very interested at learning what this “skipping water” was all about.  It was a laugh!  I would go through first on my wide track which cleared the slush which filled in with water and the group, one by one would follow.  Out of the group there was only one guy who had skipped water before so it was a wonderful learning experience for them all as they found out the true capabilities of them and their machines.  I think when it came to the Peace Valley portion of the trip we did more sea-doing than ski-dooing with no incidents and no-one getting stuck.    All arrived to the back-country chalet with-out incident.  One exception actually…a brand new floater coat got sucked into the suspension and torn to shreds.   In hindsight we all had a good laughat that.   The temp at the chalet was nearly 20 degrees and sunny…a beautiful day and it was hard to leave.  We had lots of water skipping up to the higher country again with one ski doo getting stuck which only took a few minutes to get out.  There is till lots of snow on the back-country roads, over 2 feet for much of it.  I was in for a ride this morning.  With these higher temps though, it won’t last long.  Now its a waiting game until enough snow is melted off the tracks to get to the Gaff Topsails where I hope to get another couple weeks.  Other than that, my cousin and I are heading to the West coast for some playing soon.   As you all know I am very grateful for all the snowmobilers who rode and toured with us this year and I thank you all.   I make so many freinds with this business..how lucky am I at all?  Now the only thing I have to do is prevent that pit that is proposed for just upstream of us.  Please visit savetheexploitsriver.ca for more details.  See you all next year and even this summer for most of you.

Paul

Hello everyone.  I apologize for the lack of Blog updates since this Fall.  Been busy sledding pretty well everyday!  Its been a struggle all winter convincing people we have snow here, and lots of it.  I realize how dismal it looks as you drive by the chalets but i9ts actually been a pretty good winter just North of the chalets.  In fact, its been the best year in my memory for getting to the tower top of Hodges!  Customer feedback for this season, like last season, has been 100% overwhelmingly fantastic!  Thanks for all the compliments and encouragement guys…we have to adapt the slogan “come as customers, leave as friends”.  I know its old and overused but it suits us so perfectly!  The season is far from over yet so if you haven’t got your fill of sledding yet, come on out to Central and treat yourself.  See the picture I have attached taken 2 days ago on the Gaff.  It is Hinds Hill and winter wonderland doesn’t even come close to describing it!  This year has been a fantastic year for pics.  I have a new Nikon SLR which is always on my back and always in use.  It has been paying off.  Check out our facebook page for all the best pics from this season.  We still have a couple openings for this weekend which I suspect won’t last long and if, by freak of nature we lose our snow, your downpayment will be refunded.  What have you got to lose?  Come on out and go sledding!

Paul

Not a rock or tree to be seen! Just point the skis and go!

Had an awesome family move in today from England.  They had never been on snowshoes or snowmachine before so their experience was rich to say the least.  We went for a hike up to Thunder Brook Falls and had a boill-up.  Little Charolette of 7 years did ver well!  Got some great shots as the day was clear and cool.  They will be posted under CHALETS in the gallery later today.  The next day we went for a snowmobile ride using two machines and sleds up to the Badger Chute for a boil-up.  Another beautiful day…as always in Central!  The two days far exceeded their expectations so I can’t wait to see their expression when we go into the camp for the night this afternoon.  They are going to love it!

Had a group of 10 men in for the weekend for the double whammy…we did the Gaff Topsails run on Saturday and Hodges run on Sunday.  The temp was well below zero so there was plenty powder around to keep machines cool.  Had to stop once after a stretch without powder.  Among the group were two muscians who kept us all entertained for the weekend, both at the chalets and the camp.  They were awesome!  Between the guitar, fiddle, mandolin, voice and a banjo they put off a great duo show.  I even got out my drums for a beat.  What a weekend!  I am headed to Thruway today to purchase a new Shadow 750 from the empties of Coors Lite and Lambs bottles they left!  ha ha!  See you this summer on the river guys and bring the instruments!

Had another awesome day up to the camp.  Took the Smith group from the Avalon in today.  Very cold today…about minus 20.  Lots of snow in Central still so if you are looking to squeeze another couple days riding in this is the place to go.  We should be good until into April unless we get a major mild.  The snow is quite hard so riding two up may cause some slide overheating but it wasn’t much of a problem today.  Went to the top of Hodges for a quick look but did’t stay too long as it was very cold up there.  A big pot of chili was on the menu for today and it hit the spot at the camp.  We all had a great time!  Can’t wait to take in the next group.  The Smith group booked in from Wed – Thursday but staryed all weekend too.  Before they left they booked in for rafting too.  See this summer guys!

Paul

We lost a LOT of snow about a week ago but we still have lots left.  The lakes and ponds still have 2.5 feet of good ice so that should last a while too.  My main concern was losing the brooks and cutting off access to the backcountry.  Although we have had a major flooding of the backcountry, it is now all frozen and good to go.  Got to be careful with two-stroke liquid cooled machines though.  So for those of you booked in for thye rest of March…it ain’t over yet so bring your sleds along!  We just had a tour with the Orielly clan on Sat and the going was excellent!  Not much around in for powder but as the day went on the snow softened up a little.  We had another group of 6 jump on board last minute amongst whom were 3 small engine mechanics.  Good thing to because we had a few technical probblems with machines and they kept us going!  Went to the top of Hodges but the view was limited because we were up in the clouds.  Headed to the camp and had a great lunch of chili, cheeze, buns and cookies before heading back out to the chalets.  Wendy Orielly made a cake for the occasion of which I posted a picture under chalets on the website along with the other pics of the day.  I would like this to become a tradition of staying here, especailly if I get some….Wendys cake was awesome (for those of you who don’t know me yet, I have a sweet tooth!).  We have a busy week coming up with tours on Wed, Thurs, Frid, Sat and Sunday so you can expect a few posts.  Talk soon!

Paul

Had an awesome trip to the Gaff today with the Jenkins group.  There was no wind early this morning, it was warm and the sky was clear and blue so we had good expectations for a Gaff crossing.  We left at 10am and traveled the “groomed trail” to Rocky Brook Camps on Badger Lake where we met up with Leo.  From there we headed cross country though PowderHorn Lake, Dawes Pond and onto South Brook.  Instead of heading to the Gaff via Little Sandy Pond we turned South and traveled up South Brook for about 18 KM.  The ride was very nice as we broke the trail up the brook.  It was not long before we saw caribou on the brook…four of them.  Within 200 meters up stream from the caribou a moose struggled up the steep bank.  He was far deeper than his belly.  We gave him lots of space so he wouldn’t feel too pressured to get over the embankment….we had lots of time to observe him.  By the time we stopped for lunch (after gaining significant altitude) it became blustery and we decided the going was much better on the fringes of the Gaff.  We continued up South Brook until we found an passage to the open country to the East.  From there we picked our way to a logging road that lead to little Joe Glodes Pond.  Very nice going with lots of snow up here!  We saw several Ptarmigan which I got within 5 feet of for pictures.  I posted them and the caribou under chalets on the website.  Lot of machines on the groomed trail on the way back to the Chalets.  Helped a group from St. Johns get a snowmachine out of the ditch.  He was stuck pretty good and head-on into a tree.  Not too difficult for my widetrack Expedition though.  I just backed through the powder, tied on to the machine and hauled it to the trail.  Ther were pretty impressed with my machine I think!  Looking forward to the next trip.

Distance traveled 135km

OK thats enough snow now for a couple days!  Took the Cahill group to Hodges today.  Got as far as the edge, Mary March Brook and decided to head back to lower ground.  Not a big lot falling at this point but a lot blowing around.  We were hoping to play in the drifts for a while but the way the wind was blowing, directly over the top, you couldn’t see a thing as you approached.  We decided to head to Bakepot to a friends chalet for lunch.  A good bit of the trail was not touched since the last storm so breaking the trail was fun.  Sooo much powder!  The guys were having a great time zipping around on their crotch rockets.  The other machines were confined to the beaten path to avoid getting stuck.  It was a lot nicer weatherwise down here than on the Gaff.  It was getting late so we took a short-cut to cut off some of the groomed trail back to the chalets.  Very nice bunch and a good day in the powder.

Distance traveled 165km

Another great day with the Haley group!  Left 10:30 this morning and headed into Hodges.  Lots of snow with huge drifts.  Took the Aspen gullies – Aspen Pond route to stay off the groomed trail as much as possible.  The trail up to Hodges was beautiful with all the fresh snow on the branches.  A few drifts near the top caused a few difficulties but the climb was worth it.  It was actually bearable without gloves on up there so we got a few nice snaps.  The ride down over the shoulder was very nice.  Lots of moose, caribou and coyote tracks.  When we got to the chalet we all chipped in to get the fire in and the kettle on.  The camp warmed up quickly with the sun shining in the large windows facing South.  The guys took up a load of salt fish and salty it was, even after 2 – 3 soakings…but it was thick and good!  We broke the trail over to Mary-Anne Lake where we got some nice shots of jumping snow drifts.  Some of them are posted in the gallery under chalets.  Headed back out the 10-mile route.  Great day…great people!

Distance traveled-92km