How to get your sled out of slush

In light of the present running conditions on Borderland waters I feel like it’s prudent to share how to get both you and your sled out of a slush pocket. Slush can kill you and each year anglers are actually far more apt to find themselves in harms way by the way of getting stuck than than falling through the ice. This slush/snow is truly “Heart Attack Heavy”. Slush forms when massive amounts of heavy snow weigh down a sheet of ice. Water seeps though pressure cracks and drilled holes. This water will not freeze in temperatures 30-40 below zero while being protected by the incredible insulating factors of heavy blankets of snow. The overall R-Value amazes people and goes to show, should you ever become stranded in the winter to build a FORT and start a fire!! You’ll be fine if you use your head. DO NOT PANIC!!

The first thing you want to be sure of is to have a few basic materials along if you feel you might encounter harsh running conditions. A shovel, a few boards, extra gloves and a survival kit. Of course should you be in cell phone coverage BRING YOUR PHONE!! At the very least tell someone where you are and when you will be returning.

Step #1 Just like being lost in the woods you need to accept that you are STUCK and gather yourself to start getting into survival mode. Work smart as you surely will be working hard.

Let’s call this picture “YEP……I’m stuck” Take a deep breath team!!! Your going to need it.

Step #2 is building a back ramp. One thing I’ve learned is never to make the situation worse. Should you think you can actually get through it continuing on forward I suggest to walk it first. If you see a light at the end of the darknes this is your call. Often times you can make the situation worse. As soon as your sled starts to slow your likely going to come to a halt. Be careful not to get yourself too far into trouble. Build a back ramp and pack down a turn around area for your sled. This ramp will soon freeze up being exposed to the cold air, and eventually allow you to spin out your track.

Now if you have reverse you’ll now think it’s worth the extra money as you can start to ramp yourself backwards by sliding snow under your track. Keep in mind as you start to inch your sled backwards to be sure your front skis are ramping upwards as well or they will simply dig into the makeshift ramp.

This is what your shooting for. Sled on the newly formed Ice pack you constructed with track clear of the slush. Now spin out your track and keep it free!! This needs to get you back home.

Behind your sled is your access back to safe ice. As your sled is now sitting on blocks you can use your shovel to make your runway back to safety. Assuming it’s cold enough the packing factor will allow you to get out of that trouble in due time.

This is great advice Chris and spelled out in detail.
Something I would add is that this is very hard, sweat producing work potentially. It is important while working in this environment to be patient enough. If it is say -20 or -30 you can and will still work up a big sweat if you don’t monitor and control your efforts. You should also shed clothes or vent as needed in and effort to stay comfortably cool while working. If you need a break put those layers back on or zip up while you rest. Soaking yourself from the inside out can be deadly in very short order in bitter cold temps.

That is nasty! Thanks for the tips!

Like old Archie used to tell us – when we would chase LT in the BWCA – “…take your time, stay calm, use your head…you can spend the rest of your life out there if you don’t…”

Wise words from a very wise old woodsman…

Dog

Chris:

Vital info for peeps running lots of snow on ice!!! Even non-fishing sledders would be wise to heed this advice!!! When we get situations like this, we like to prepare our fishing area by running it the night before. Running the sled out to your location with out an otter it a huge advantage in this slush deal.

Therefore the night before we run a track out to our location and past, then circling back and creating a second pass to widen it out . Then repeat so that you can widen one more time and widen the last time on your way back in.

This allows the ice water mixture to freeze down and provide a path for the next days event. Also when you get there and start punching holes the water you put onto the ice at that time goes tot he edge of the frozen trail and drains in other directions, keeping your path dry!!!

Dragging an otter behind once it starts to cake in slush is like dragging a big cement anchor!!!

If you have the time the night before I hope this helps prevent what Chris got into!!! Again Chris, solid info!!!

Mark

Good information guys. Keep in mind this is not my snowmobile. I was simply a helper. The guy who got stuck was not pulling a sled. Mark’s advice is good. If you have the time to break trail without a portable house in tow….DO SO. Keep in mind it is a bit difficult while pulling a portable to stay on a packed trail, and if you go off of it you’ll have a tough time getting back on it. Don’t try to break these trails alone when at all possible. I assure you that sleds get stuck without portables in tow as well. The morale of the story is beyond obviously taking every precaution possibly; IF you get stuck be prepared.

I learned all about this the hard way a number of years back!

When me and my FW found ourselves stuck in knee deep slush and water on a remote Ontario lake more than 20 miles from our cabin.. there was not a sled track on the lake so hoping for help was out!

I was pulling my otter and my FW was behind on her sled! with temp -30 as soon as I hit the slush the snow and ice froze in chunks to the otter and my sled.. the wife was right behind me so she got stuck too… Now it -30 and we are 20 + miles from safety.. I did have my shack and a heater but how long would that really last..

Now I will tell you at a time like this you better hope you have your sled studded cuz I know that saved us..

with the snow shovel i carry in my otter I shoveled all the snow out in a path in front of my sled for over 100 yards to get back to good snow.. made this trail wide for my sled and otter.. It now only had water in the trail just under knee deep…

got back to my FW threw her over my shoulders and carried her to the good snow so she wouldnt get wet.. then went back chipped all the ice off the otter and my sled and made a run for it.. Without studs the snow machine would never had pushed threw the water but thank god it was studded.. it had a hard time since water was up to the drive belt but I made it to good snow.. then i hurried unhooked the otter and mad a buzz around in the good snow to dry my track out.. then walked back with the shovel and dug the trail back to the FW sled and rode that out..

this all took me about 4 hours and my wife had been just sitting there and she was already cold.. so when i carried her back to the packed snow I had her start doing jumping jacks and told her not to stop till i get both sleds ready to roll.. -30 Im dripping wet in sweat and soaked from my waist down.. we got a good 20 miles to go

Ill tell ya when i got back to the cabin my legs were numb and my snow pants were froze so hard i couldnt bend my legs@ I probably looked kinda funny rolling threw the snow to get in the warm cabin…

after that we decided it was better to spend the rest of the day in the cabin keeping each other warm

Yeah Mother Nature can pretty much kick your butt when ever she feels like it, I have been told I worry to much, but it’s all those little things that can really add up fast, what happens if you did not carry a shovel?

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Yeah Mother Nature can pretty much kick your butt when ever she feels like it, I have been told I worry to much, but it’s all those little things that can really add up fast, what happens if you did not carry a shovel?

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Well that will severely hinder your efforts. Goal is to try stay as dry as possible as you get your sled to safety which eventually will get you to safety. Let’s just say this; Bring a shovel and bring a board. The board will allow you to pick up your back end and free your track, so you can spin it out alone. Of course EVERY situation is different.

Definitely a work out when you are in the slush. How about a write up on getting a wheeler out? Burrrrrrrrrrrr!

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Definitely a work out when you are in the slush. How about a write up on getting a wheeler out? Burrrrrrrrrrrr!

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Bring waterproof gauntlet gloves comes to mind.

We had this happen years ago with about 8 machines. It took hours. We would lift the back end and slide it over to snow then nail it while someone pulled on a ski and another guy pushed. Eventually we would get enough momentum to keep it on top and drive to safety but I think your method looks better. That event changed the way I ride and I am VERY leery of slush. If you are alone or just with your wife with no tools you are in trouble.

A great story Chris. You helping someone out is not much of a surprise because that is just the kind of guy you are. Way to go Daze clan. See you in April.

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If you are alone or just with your wife with no tools you are in trouble.

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With no tools? Is that what you call your buddies?

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A great story Chris. You helping someone out is not much of a surprise because that is just the kind of guy you are. Way to go Daze clan. See you in April.

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See you then Mike!! Sorry I’m so late in responses!! This ice fishing season is taking everything out of me. LOL!!