Cooke City Advice

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denagain

New member
Going to Cooke City in the middle of March and I am looking for advice. I have never been out west I am looking for advice on preparing for the trip. I am flying out there and renting a sled. For instance someone told me to hydrate myself a week prior by drinking lots of water because the altitude will dehydrate you, is this true? Also thinking about renting a helmet out there instead of dragging my helmet along in luggage. How about gloves etc, with the digging out do you go through a lot of wet gloves wet clothes? Do I need a backpack for the day trips? Anything else I should consider.

Thanks
 
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snoluver1

Active member
I sure hope your springing for a guide along with your rental. Thats the best advice I can give you. Cook is not the best of choices for your first time. Major avalanche territory, ESPECIALLY this year!!!
 
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polarisrider1

New member
Cooke is not the place to go for a first trip west. Togwotee is a much better fit for that. No matter where you fly in to, You will need a rental car and still do a bit of driving on some pretty hairy roads in the park to get to Cooke. I could type you up 3 pages worth on just what you asked, which means take baby steps and Cooke is the big league. Tog. offer the entire Pkg. If you are set on Cooke then get with Bearclaw Bob and he will hook you up with knowledge, beacons, probes, shovel, rental stuff, etc. Take an avy class is your next step.
 
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denagain

New member
snoluver1 said:
I sure hope your springing for a guide along with your rental. Thats the best advice I can give you. Cook is not the best of choices for your first time. Major avalanche territory, ESPECIALLY this year!!!
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Probably should have that mentioned that also, we do have a guide lined up.
 
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willey

New member
denagain said:
Going to Cooke City in the middle of March and I am looking for advice. I have never been out west I am looking for advice on preparing for the trip. I am flying out there and renting a sled. For instance someone told me to hydrate myself a week prior by drinking lots of water because the altitude will dehydrate you, is this true? Also thinking about renting a helmet out there instead of dragging my helmet along in luggage. How about gloves etc, with the digging out do you go through a lot of wet gloves wet clothes? Do I need a backpack for the day trips? Anything else I should consider.

Thanks
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You are gonna want your own gear. Light weight breathable stuff that allows you to remove layers if needed. Klim gear is a good place to start. Pack with probe, shuvel, extra socks, gloves, goggles, face mask, saw, kitchen sink, food, fire starting stuff, etc.............. You almost can't have enough gear on you or your sled for riding in the moutains. Get a guide! Take avy class! Know how to use your gear and make sure your riding buddies do also!
 
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polarisrider1

New member
willey said:
You are gonna want your own gear. Light weight breathable stuff that allows you to remove layers if needed. Klim gear is a good place to start. Pack with probe, shuvel, extra socks, gloves, goggles, face mask, saw, kitchen sink, food, fire starting stuff, etc.............. You almost can't have enough gear on you or your sled for riding in the moutains. Get a guide! Take avy class! Know how to use your gear and make sure your riding buddies do also!
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Perfect! and make it an aluminum kitchen sink, the cast iron ones simply weigh to much. Pack like your spending the week. I have a blue tarp and 50' of cord to build a makeshift tent/ igloo with. Plan is to not use any of it, well a shovel and a saw, (unless your ego is as big as a house) aid in getting a sled out. Snobunje is on top of the list also. Don't forget... a beacon with new batteries is manditory in my book. Shovel made of steel also is a must. add in walkie talkies and make sure everyone is on same channel before you leave.
 
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Mark@TimberlineSports

New member
If your staying at antlers lodge, try and ride will Bill and Kay (the owners). Bill can do things on a snowmobile that I never thought was possible.

-Mark
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thebreeze

Member
Bill Whittle is far and away the best rider I have ever seen ride in person. UNBELIEVABLE what he can do on a STOCK sled.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
thebreeze said:
Bill Whittle is far and away the best rider I have ever seen ride in person. UNBELIEVABLE what he can do on a STOCK sled.
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That's great and all, but these guys are newbies and they need training not entertainment. Will Bill do that? I have not met him. I am a fan of Bob at the Bear Claw to get started out for first timers. He may not have the time to guide you but he still makes an excellent "Go to guy" to get the right knowledge and gear for the task at hand.
 
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tom_s

New member
You said you had a guide. That's great, try and talk to him the night before or a few hour's prior to your leaving town on the sled. Ask him what to bring. Find out if your coming back to town mid day. If not bring as much stuff as possible in a back pack. snack's, water, extra glove's, sock's. And just be carefull. This year is bad for avy's. I leave for cooke in one week. This will make lucky 13 trip's to cooke. IF your unable to take an avy class, youtube has some good vid's on avy prep. What to look for and when to stay clear of certain slopes. You will have a blast. X2 on bring your own gear. You will feel much more comfy. Regarding back pack, like posted above. Shovel probe and Beacon. Youtube also has beacon training, if you cant get into a class. Atleast you will have somewhat of an idea on how to use it. Have Fun. Bring a camera.
 
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