That's interesting. They must work well if that's what they're going with
3 Old Guys; Daily Update
- Thread starter gary_in_neenah
- Start date
Bunny boots- on 3 old guys trip to fairbanks facebook stories-
It was explained the advantage
If water gets in the boot, take it off, dump out water, take off wet sock/s, put on dry sock and you are ready to ride.
The insulation is incased in rubber so the insulation does not get wet, and then the bunny boot made all the sense in the world.
Considering what these gentlemen have done/ridden over the years, I would consider them as the best field testing team - for helmets, outerwear, machines, sleds (although the sleds being pulled are made by one of the guys) or any gear necessary for such trips these have made over the years.
It was explained the advantage
If water gets in the boot, take it off, dump out water, take off wet sock/s, put on dry sock and you are ready to ride.
The insulation is incased in rubber so the insulation does not get wet, and then the bunny boot made all the sense in the world.
Considering what these gentlemen have done/ridden over the years, I would consider them as the best field testing team - for helmets, outerwear, machines, sleds (although the sleds being pulled are made by one of the guys) or any gear necessary for such trips these have made over the years.
The sleds are really cool. You can tell they were tailor made for their trips. Everything loaded on those sleds fit like a glove.
Just a couple of pictures and a short report from the Drummond Island Tourism folks.
3 Old Guys Spotted on Drummond Island!Three snowmobile legends—Paul Dick, Rex Hibbert, and Rob Hallstorm—are on an epic journey across North America, and they just made a stop here! These winter warriors are proving that adventure has no age limit as they carve through snow-covered trails, conquering mile after mile of rugged terrain.
Their route has just taken them across the 12-mile ice bridge to St. Joseph Island, Canada, an adrenaline-pumping feat in itself! They kicked off this incredible expedition on February 13th and have their sights set on Newfoundland, Canada as their final destination.
History is being made on the trails!
That sticker should be a hot commodity after all is said and done!
Day 7 / Feb 19
The 3 Old Guys hit the trails early this morning, leaving the Clarke Motel in Eckerman, Michigan and making great time to DeTour Village. There, they caught the Drummond Island Ferry. Access to Drummond Island has always been by boat —whether by ancient canoe or today’s modern ferry schedule. The guys had a quick and seamless ride across the St. Mary’s River, loading up their snowmobiles and sleighs with ease.
Once on Drummond Island, they stopped for lunch and worked on getting their Ontario trail passes. In the midst of managing the trip logistics (imagine old guys trying to use a too-small phone screen to purchase passes online….), they were unable to properly visit with, and thank, the kind-hearted individuals that bought them lunch —so if that was you, know that the 3 Old Guys truly appreciate your generosity!
From there, they hit the Christmas Tree Trail, a 12-mile international ice bridge connecting Drummond Island, Michigan, to St. Joseph’s Island, Ontario. Fun fact: the trail gets its name from the Christmas trees that mark the trail every 1/8 mile. This is the only direct legal access to Canada over ice from the U.S….And speaking of Canada… they checked in with customs via telephone booth—a process that felt oddly familiar (Alaska trip, anyone?) but still a bit like sneaking in through the back door!
Once in Ontario, they ran into a few closed trails and got caught tangled up in the trail system, but with the help of some friendly locals, they found their way and made good time to Iron River, Ontario.
The good news? The guys are feeling great, the machines are running strong, and the adventure continues! The only real challenge so far? The food. Unlike their Alaska trip, where they literally survived on granola bars and beef jerky, this time around, it’s been a lot of bar food. Will they return home leaner from the long days of riding or heavier from all the pub stops? Time will tell!
The 3 Old Guys hit the trails early this morning, leaving the Clarke Motel in Eckerman, Michigan and making great time to DeTour Village. There, they caught the Drummond Island Ferry. Access to Drummond Island has always been by boat —whether by ancient canoe or today’s modern ferry schedule. The guys had a quick and seamless ride across the St. Mary’s River, loading up their snowmobiles and sleighs with ease.
Once on Drummond Island, they stopped for lunch and worked on getting their Ontario trail passes. In the midst of managing the trip logistics (imagine old guys trying to use a too-small phone screen to purchase passes online….), they were unable to properly visit with, and thank, the kind-hearted individuals that bought them lunch —so if that was you, know that the 3 Old Guys truly appreciate your generosity!
From there, they hit the Christmas Tree Trail, a 12-mile international ice bridge connecting Drummond Island, Michigan, to St. Joseph’s Island, Ontario. Fun fact: the trail gets its name from the Christmas trees that mark the trail every 1/8 mile. This is the only direct legal access to Canada over ice from the U.S….And speaking of Canada… they checked in with customs via telephone booth—a process that felt oddly familiar (Alaska trip, anyone?) but still a bit like sneaking in through the back door!
Once in Ontario, they ran into a few closed trails and got caught tangled up in the trail system, but with the help of some friendly locals, they found their way and made good time to Iron River, Ontario.
The good news? The guys are feeling great, the machines are running strong, and the adventure continues! The only real challenge so far? The food. Unlike their Alaska trip, where they literally survived on granola bars and beef jerky, this time around, it’s been a lot of bar food. Will they return home leaner from the long days of riding or heavier from all the pub stops? Time will tell!
Attachments
Day 8 / Feb 20
Today was a big mileage day, with the 3 Old Guys covering over 200 miles across Ontario. Now that they’re further into Canada, the landscape is shifting—hello Canadian Shield!
For those unfamiliar, the Canadian Shield is one of the oldest and most rugged landscapes in the world, formed by ancient rock dating back billions of years. It stretches across much of Canada and is known for its rolling hills, exposed bedrock, dense forests, and countless lakes. The Guys are making their way through this terrain, enjoying the scenery as they continue east.
Trail traffic was minimal today, making for a smooth and steady ride—but let’s talk about the real highlight of the day… Tim Hortons. The Guys made not one, not two, but three stops at the beloved Canadian institution!
We’ve been getting a lot of commentary about the 3 Old Guys footwear, so I figured I’d dig up an old post and share a bit about one of their most vital pieces of gear: the Bunny Boots…. These are military surplus Bunny Boots, also known as Mickey Mouse boots or even Alaska tennis shoes—whatever you want to call them, they’re built for extreme cold. Designed with thick insulation encased in rubber, they don’t need to be dried out each night like traditional boots. Even if you step into water, you can simply pour it out, and the insulation will still keep your feet warm.
Paul learned just how essential these boots are the hard way during the Iron Dog race when he suffered frostbite and lost part of a toe. As his feet were literally freezing (in a different type of boot), a generous bystander took off his own Bunny Boots and gave them to Paul—allowing him to finish the race.
These boots were also a critical lifesaver when Rob broke through the ice during their Alaska trip. Thankfully, it was only a stream, but he was soaked up to his knees—a dangerous situation in the remote wilderness with high winds and freezing temperatures. All three guys knew the severity of the moment. Acting quickly, Rex and Paul wrapped Rob in an emergency blanket, helped him change into dry gear, and dumped the water from his Bunny Boots. Despite being fully submerged, the boots’ insulation still did its job—with dry socks and pants, Rob was able to put them back on and stay warm, continuing the journey until they reached a cabin where he could fully dry out.
A perfect example of why having the right gear can mean the difference between discomfort and danger in extreme conditions!
Another solid day in the books—onward to Newfoundland!
About Tim Hortons; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Hortons
Today was a big mileage day, with the 3 Old Guys covering over 200 miles across Ontario. Now that they’re further into Canada, the landscape is shifting—hello Canadian Shield!
For those unfamiliar, the Canadian Shield is one of the oldest and most rugged landscapes in the world, formed by ancient rock dating back billions of years. It stretches across much of Canada and is known for its rolling hills, exposed bedrock, dense forests, and countless lakes. The Guys are making their way through this terrain, enjoying the scenery as they continue east.
Trail traffic was minimal today, making for a smooth and steady ride—but let’s talk about the real highlight of the day… Tim Hortons. The Guys made not one, not two, but three stops at the beloved Canadian institution!
We’ve been getting a lot of commentary about the 3 Old Guys footwear, so I figured I’d dig up an old post and share a bit about one of their most vital pieces of gear: the Bunny Boots…. These are military surplus Bunny Boots, also known as Mickey Mouse boots or even Alaska tennis shoes—whatever you want to call them, they’re built for extreme cold. Designed with thick insulation encased in rubber, they don’t need to be dried out each night like traditional boots. Even if you step into water, you can simply pour it out, and the insulation will still keep your feet warm.
Paul learned just how essential these boots are the hard way during the Iron Dog race when he suffered frostbite and lost part of a toe. As his feet were literally freezing (in a different type of boot), a generous bystander took off his own Bunny Boots and gave them to Paul—allowing him to finish the race.
These boots were also a critical lifesaver when Rob broke through the ice during their Alaska trip. Thankfully, it was only a stream, but he was soaked up to his knees—a dangerous situation in the remote wilderness with high winds and freezing temperatures. All three guys knew the severity of the moment. Acting quickly, Rex and Paul wrapped Rob in an emergency blanket, helped him change into dry gear, and dumped the water from his Bunny Boots. Despite being fully submerged, the boots’ insulation still did its job—with dry socks and pants, Rob was able to put them back on and stay warm, continuing the journey until they reached a cabin where he could fully dry out.
A perfect example of why having the right gear can mean the difference between discomfort and danger in extreme conditions!
Another solid day in the books—onward to Newfoundland!
About Tim Hortons; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Hortons
Years ago, I sued to have a pair of these. Mine were extremely heavy and cumbersome, and I gave them away/or tossed them., don't remember. Maybe I should have kept them.Day 8 / Feb 20
Today was a big mileage day, with the 3 Old Guys covering over 200 miles across Ontario. Now that they’re further into Canada, the landscape is shifting—hello Canadian Shield!
For those unfamiliar, the Canadian Shield is one of the oldest and most rugged landscapes in the world, formed by ancient rock dating back billions of years. It stretches across much of Canada and is known for its rolling hills, exposed bedrock, dense forests, and countless lakes. The Guys are making their way through this terrain, enjoying the scenery as they continue east.
Trail traffic was minimal today, making for a smooth and steady ride—but let’s talk about the real highlight of the day… Tim Hortons. The Guys made not one, not two, but three stops at the beloved Canadian institution!
We’ve been getting a lot of commentary about the 3 Old Guys footwear, so I figured I’d dig up an old post and share a bit about one of their most vital pieces of gear: the Bunny Boots…. These are military surplus Bunny Boots, also known as Mickey Mouse boots or even Alaska tennis shoes—whatever you want to call them, they’re built for extreme cold. Designed with thick insulation encased in rubber, they don’t need to be dried out each night like traditional boots. Even if you step into water, you can simply pour it out, and the insulation will still keep your feet warm.
Paul learned just how essential these boots are the hard way during the Iron Dog race when he suffered frostbite and lost part of a toe. As his feet were literally freezing (in a different type of boot), a generous bystander took off his own Bunny Boots and gave them to Paul—allowing him to finish the race.
These boots were also a critical lifesaver when Rob broke through the ice during their Alaska trip. Thankfully, it was only a stream, but he was soaked up to his knees—a dangerous situation in the remote wilderness with high winds and freezing temperatures. All three guys knew the severity of the moment. Acting quickly, Rex and Paul wrapped Rob in an emergency blanket, helped him change into dry gear, and dumped the water from his Bunny Boots. Despite being fully submerged, the boots’ insulation still did its job—with dry socks and pants, Rob was able to put them back on and stay warm, continuing the journey until they reached a cabin where he could fully dry out.
A perfect example of why having the right gear can mean the difference between discomfort and danger in extreme conditions!
Another solid day in the books—onward to Newfoundland!
About Tim Hortons; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Hortons
Yeah, we'll, perhaps, hopefully, you'll never know? Seems you must have wanted these 'Snow Bunny boots pretty bad? To me the biggest reason to have these, and yes they are heavy to wear if you're moving, is the ability of them to keep your feet warm while not actively moving. Such as when riding for long distances in between recovery, rest stops. The other outstanding part of these boot are what happened to Paul, and especially Ron by getting wet. They aren't for walking.
This was years before I even knew what a snowmobile was. Didn't know until '91 when I graduated and assigned to Bergland, MI. That's where I got my vice for snowmobiling.
Video Recap of Week 1
Day 9 / Feb 21Another high-mileage day for the 3 Old Guys, covering well over 300 miles as they made their way into Quebec around midday. Crossing into the province, they got a firsthand look at Quebec’s unique snowmobile infrastructure—where instead of blocking off trails at main roads, a third lane is dedicated for snowmobiling, ensuring well-maintained routes for riders.
Not long into their ride in Quebec, they had a little “welcome party” from trail patrol. Fortunately, they were fully legal with their trail permits in hand. If they hadn’t been, it would’ve been a very expensive day—trail permits in Quebec range from $400 to $500 annually depending on when you buy, but if you get caught on the trail without one, you’ll be shelling out $900 on the spot! The high cost supports everything from trail maintenance and infrastructure to volunteer efforts and insurance, keeping Quebec’s snowmobile network in top shape.
Speaking of trail maintenance, they passed by four groomers throughout the day and had the chance to meet some of the people behind the scenes. The groomers are the unsung heroes of this sport, and the Guys are beyond grateful for the work they do!
The wildlife made an appearance too—a moose and a lynx crossed their path, adding a little excitement to a long day. With flat gray skies, visibility of the trail and snow conditions has been tricky, making the night riding a welcome change. The Guys rarely ride after dark these days, but as they continued into the evening hours, they were reminded how much easier it is to spot bumps, anticipate oncoming sleds, and navigate the trails more smoothly in the darker hours.
The Guys finally rolled into Val d’Or around 9 p.m. EST—tired but feeling great. The sleds are running strong, the adventure is going full throttle, and… they were so exhausted, they forgot to send pictures!
Stay tuned for more from the trail—onward east!
Pictured; Quebec's Third Lane for snowmobiles.
