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Snowmobiling: Grim Start Reminder of Need to Ride Safely

January 07, 2009 - During the last two weeks of December two teenagers died in snowmobile accidents, just as this column was being written. On Dec. 27, a 15-year old from Windham died after his sled went off the trail and hit a tree in the Portage area. Five days earlier, a 19-year-old from Cushing operating a sled on River Road was thrown from the sled and struck by a car. Game Wardens are investigating both of these fatalities.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the parents, families and friends of these teens. It is a sad way to start off the snowmobile season, which gives so much joy to so many people and brings in money to businesses in Maine that rely on the snowmobile industry.

The season of 2002-2003 had a record number of 16 fatalities. Our hope is that we never surpass or even meet that number again.

Last season, there were 12 snowmobile fatalities in Maine. Game wardens, snowmobile clubs and others involved in the sport preach safety all the time. Snowmobiling is a safe sport for those who obey the rules and exercise common sense. Of course, accidents and the unexpected happen.

In many cases involving fatalities, operators were traveling too fast for existing conditions. In the excitement of hitting the trail early in the season, it can be difficult to control the urge to travel at a higher rate of speed than is safe. Ultimately, the control of one's sled and the safety of one's life is in the hands of the operator.

With this grim start, we need to exercise extreme caution and sound judgment. Many trails in the northern and western parts of the state have been groomed for two weeks or more.

"We do seem to have a considerable amount of trail reports. There did seem to be a push to get things done and trails groomed," said Bob Meyers, executive director of the Maine Snowmobile Association. "The drop in gas prices has made many people happy – especially the groomers. It takes a lot of gas to fill the tanks on these big pieces of grooming equipment."

In Madawaska, there is a 2-foot pack on the trails. Mike Guerrette is the president of the Madawaska Snowmobile Club, which grooms nearly 50 miles of main trails, along with some side trails.

"The riding is excellent right now. Not all the trail markers are up just yet. We are starting to see snow machines around," said Guerrette. "People need to stay on marked trails and not venture out on their own."

Although gas prices are lower than they have been in years, the economy has had an impact on businesses that rely on snowmobilers, such as hotels, restaurants, gas stations and snowmobile dealers.

"People are still leery because times are rough right now. Even though gas prices are down, people are watching their money," said Guerrette. "Right now the hotels are slowly starting to get booked and people are calling from out of state to ask about trail conditions. Everyone is itching to go."

Guerrette and Meyers both caution snowmobilers to stay off the ice because it is too early in the season for many bodies of water to be frozen with adequate ice depth to support snowmobiling. Also, before you head out on a trail, contact the local club to find out if there are any trail re-routes or closings that you should know about. For example, according to Guerrette, ITS 81 that runs from Van Buren to Grand Isle is temporarily closed because of a logging operation.

"Everything is super here," said Guerrette. "People might as well come up here while gas prices are cheap and the snow is deep."

CATHY GENTHNER, Portlad Press Herald, January 1, 2009


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