People in grief will often deal out harsh judgement. Sometimes justified, sometimes not. Hard to tell which is which when evaluating through the news.
+1 to that
Looking ahead, I would wonder why a snowmobile tooling around in the winter would not have a fairly substantial survival kit. While space is somewhat limited on a snowmobile, surely there is room for enough to ensure that an unexpected night out would be more or less routine;to say nothing of a PLB and other nice things. Hopefully people will eventually move away from the blame game and think of lessons to be learned.
I should confess that I have absolutely no first hand experience with a snowmobile they aren't used very often in the southern Arizona desert.
I have owned three snowmobiles over the years, and have logged thousands of miles in northern MN, WI, and MI with them. On a long weekend day in good snow conditions, I would travel 200 miles on wilderness trails.
There are multiple stock carry options for emergency gear; a small trunk about the size of a big shoebox, and a container under the hood for tools and spare parts. You can also purchase various metal racks and canvas 'saddlebags', a snowmobile axe rack, plastic rescue snowshoes, and even a trailer (which I had for ice fishing gear).
Even in my more reckless pre-prepper days, I always had tools, spare parts (lightbulbs, spark plugs, drive belt), a hatchet, whistle, Leatherman Super Tool, fire making supplies, rope, energy food, bandana, sierra cup, Mini-Mag light, maps, a heavy hat (so I wouldn't have to wear my helmet for warmth if stuck in the woods overnight), and a compass mounted to the cowl.
Over the years, I used all of it.
I too, have seen young kids out driving snowmobiles in the hinterlands. I think it is OK with proper training and with established boundaries, emergency equipment and provisions and the training to use them.
Previous Topic
Index
