Yeah the amount of load on those clutches is extreme. Lucky they geared down or they would have been having catastrophic failures a long time ago. I dont know if the Norseman has the better clutch but I know earlier some of the Team clutches were garbage. So if they have those surprised they havent had problems sooner.
Sorry, meant FAIRBANKS in my last post, not Anchorage. I believe that’s their final destination. Anchorage would add SUBSTANTIAL MILES to their trip 
Sorry, meant FAIRBANKS in my last post, not Anchorage. I believe that’s their final destination. Anchorage would add SUBSTANTIAL MILES to their trip
Yeah dont punish them even more! LOL
Yeah the amount of load on those clutches is extreme. Lucky they geared down or they would have been having catastrophic failures a long time ago. I dont know if the Norseman has the better clutch but I know earlier some of the Team clutches were garbage. So if they have those surprised they havent had problems sooner.
Yeah coming up on 5000 miles, especially those kind of miles, if those are the clutches they started with they certainly don’t owe them anything. Just thinking they must be really bad if they’re going to sit and wait for parts this close to the finish line. And then to realize they did the mountain pass in that condition 
You can tell from that last report that the 3 Guys are EXPERIENCED Arctic travelers. They are patient and know when NOT to press on and instead, retreat and wait for the right conditions. Real hallmarks of experienced travelers, pressing your luck in the Arctic only ends one way.
I can’t wait to see the pictures and video. That last report when they were crossing that pass, I can only imagine how desolate that is and how isolated that must feel to be crossing a pass in a treeless region, in high winds and snow. Wow.
I believe they brought a couple clutches along, but not sure if they were complete or not. Lots of other parts, A Arms, shocks, etc.
Looks like another started fire in one of the sleds over the weekend. Possible fuel line leak. So close, yet so far away! About 137 miles as a crow flies to get to Fairbanks.
Cool story about how the support team back home through social media, etc were able to get word out to people anticipating their arrival in the next town and a bunch of locals rode out to meet them and help them get into town. Might be a day or two of fixing but their going keep pressing on. Would’ve been a shame to see it end there.
Yeah those machines have taken a savage beating as have the 3 old guys. They better display them at the AC plant after this. When my dad is finally ready to retire his 650 TRV ATV I am going to donate it to AC so they can display it. It has around 60,000 miles on it. Getting pretty tired though, but still pops right off.
60,000 miles on it.
On a ATV ???? What the hell does he use it for????
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>CaptainMusky wrote:</div>
60,000 miles on it.On a ATV ???? What the hell does he use it for????
Yep. He plows driveways, but when he first got it he would drive around 200 miles a day. He can drive right from his house in Pequot and would routinely go to Remer/Outing, Aikley, etc. I went on a ride with him one time and it was so boring. ATVs are so dang slow, but he has fun. Its a 2007 and I have the same year and model and I have 1500 miles on mine LOL He doesnt go on long rides anymore. I actually found him street ATV tires for it and I think he has like 40,000 miles on those but they are about toast.
Looks like the 3 old guys should be pulling in to Fairbanks anytime now.
It was a cool adventure, lots of details to come. I’ll miss the anticipation of further updates.
They Made It!!! But not without some troubles on the homestretch.. What and incredible adventure! I hope there are some interviews with these guys to get first hand accounts of how the trip was.
Here’s the last write up.
3 Old Guys RODE to Alaska
On April 6 the 3 Old Guys accomplished their mission, they successfully rode to Alaska on snowmobile after departing from Grand Rapids, Minnesota on March 6 – but their journey was not complete and they set their sites on the final destination of Fairbanks. The final stretch proved grueling- and after thousands of miles of extreme riding, everyone (and everything) was getting tired. Exhaustion did not stand in the way of the 3 Old Guys and they arrived at their final destination on the evening of April 12….but not without challenge.
With only a short distance remaining, the 3 Old Guys struggled with Rob’s snowmobile yesterday (Tues) as they rode into Circle. Thinking it was some water in the gas, they also noticed the hyfax was completely wore out. By luck, another individual happened to be riding through and was headed to Circle. They towed Rob’s snowmobile by sleigh into Circle and the Guys spent the evening putting new hyfax on and stored the machines indoors overnight in preparation for today.
They intended to take the Yukon Quest trail, but with fresh snow on the highway and continued issues, it was determined that they would try to ride the road as much as possible.
Unfortunately, when they ventured out this morning, they found Rob’s machine was dead; they needed a coil, but didn’t have a spare. The decision was made to leave the snowmobile in Circle and have it hauled to town in a few days. The Guys took off from Circle on 2 sleds with 3 sleighs, and 3 Old Guys…. They were making good time until Rex’s engine locked up. With two snowmobiles down, they now had 1 snowmobile, 3 sleighs and 3 Old Guys remaining in the fight.
With only one snowmobile, the message was sent to the “home crew” requesting a trailer. The Guys made the best of it, with a few runs on the single sled they hauled their equipment about 10 miles back down the road to where they had pit-stopped earlier and enjoyed coffee. It wasn’t long before the trailer arrived and the 3 Old Guys loaded up. It wasn’t their intent to drive/trailer the last ~60(?) miles into town, but they were close enough and there is no question it was a successful run.
Despite every obstacle, obstacles that would have stopped anyone else, the 3 Old Guys successfully rode to Alaska. Man > Machine.
Glad they made it safe and nobody got hurt along the way.
Only 1 out of 3 cats mechanically survived the trip though.
Glad they made it safe and nobody got hurt along the way.
Only 1 out of 3 cats mechanically survived the trip though.
With that kind of a journey, I’d bet it’d be about the same outcome no matter what brand sled you were riding. It was a grueling trip to say the least.
Glad they made it safe and nobody got hurt along the way.
Only 1 out of 3 cats mechanically survived the trip though.
Yeah, there arent many man or machine that are going to survive that journey. The one just needed a coil so no big deal. I cant imagine riding 2 up on a journey like this.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Jason wrote:</div>
Glad they made it safe and nobody got hurt along the way.
Only 1 out of 3 cats mechanically survived the trip though.With that kind of a journey, I’d bet it’d be about the same outcome no matter what brand sled you were riding. It was a grueling trip to say the least.
My guess is it would be worse. Those cat motors are stout and the chassis is nearly bulletproof. Ive seen far too many etec failures and chassis/suspension problems from the other two that you just dont see on AC.
dont matter what brand you have your going to run into problems in 5000 miles of riding and pulling a 300-500# sled the whole time
dont matter what brand you have your going to run into problems in 5000 miles of riding and pulling a 300-500# sled the whole time
Truth. Im impressed they didnt have more problems. The two fires alone are pretty dang ridiculous.
When they crossed into Alaska did “snowmobile” change to “snow machine”? 
When they crossed into Alaska did “snowmobile” change to “snow machine”?
Even my buddy in NW MN calls them that. 
DT
What an awesome trip. I’m glad they documented it so we could all follow along with them.
Ive seen far too many etec failures and chassis/suspension problems from the other two that you just dont see on AC.
How many Ace failures have you seen? 4stroke would make so much more sense on a marathon like this.
How many Ace failures have you seen? 4stroke would make so much more sense on a marathon like this.
not many Ace failures and I tend to agree about a 4 stroke. I believe in that long interview they talked about the choice to use a 2 stroke due to ease of repairs, but also AC didnt have a machine similar to the Norseman with a 4 stroke. Ideally they bearcat would make a perfect choice with a 998 4 stroke and 3 speed transmission. Plus its a widetrack for better flotation. They are really missing the boat by not having that model in the lineup.
Even my buddy in NW MN calls them that.
DT
Most call them snow cats.
Most call them snow cats.
Roughly 50 mile radius around TRF it’s mandatory to call them snowcats
Cross the border into canada and they are snow machines
I think it’s eastern canada where the francophones just call them ski doos
but also AC didnt have a machine similar to the Norseman with a 4 stroke. Ideally they bearcat would make a perfect choice with a 998 4 stroke and 3 speed transmission. Plus its a widetrack for better flotation. They are really missing the boat by not having that model in the lineup.
ding ding ding I miss the Bearcats, Cat has definitely neglected the utility segment but I suppose there’s just not enough sales there. Which is ironic because used ones are worth their weight in gold
So did I read this right ? They got trailered in the last 60 miles ? 
Sounds like the old guys did a lot better that the Arctic Cats……
So did I read this right ? They got trailered in the last 60 miles ?
Yeah major bummer but down to 1 sled with 3 sleighs and 3 guys isnt exactly ideal. Im sure they traveled around 6000 miles over this trek so trailering 60 miles isnt exactly a disappointment.
So did I read this right ? They got trailered in the last 60 miles
yea they only had one sled left and 3 sleds full of equipment and had to trailer about 60 miles. still a success in my book considering all the extra miles they had to put on
Sounds like the old guys did a lot better that the Arctic Cats……
Very impressed those old dudes made it. I wouldnt have survived, but these 3 have lived on sleds for decades. I havent really ridden much in the last 20 years.
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