Split up from group/lost

[Magnumb]

Was just reading that story about the accident on Lake Gogebic and was reminded of the time I got lost on that lake for what seemed like hours. Late at night and snowing and couldn't make out the shoreline.

Anyone get turned around or split off from the group and what happened exactly?

 

[euphoric1]

Did not get split off from group, but got lost, was last year was freezing rain, sleet, snow enough that couldn't ride with shield down because would ice up heavily, had face of helmet open, had to shield face with hand because of sleet, got on lake at park in bergland, had to head down to root cellar so followed lakeshore and we would use lights on both sides of lake to judge where we were, only being able to creep along at minimal speed it seemed like it was taking a very long time and outside of being near shore line had no idea where we were, started to panic and almost turned around, couldn't see jack sh** was very disheartening feeling, kept going and about 2 miles ahead recognized lights on shore line so knew we were close, not the longest ride I made by mileage but felt like the longest ride. And one other time crossing the lake at night my son was riding my ZRT 800 and the chain case let loose and didn't realize as we were with group until we got to cabin, luckily my son left sled running for headlight otherwise would have been a very long night. Lake Gogebic can be a very scary place, especially at night, it can be dam near pitch black, all I have to say is ride her with respect.

Was just reading that story about the accident on Lake Gogebic and was reminded of the time I got lost on that lake for what seemed like hours. Late at night and snowing and could make out the shoreline.

Anyone get turned around or split off from the group and what happened exactly?

 

[bonnevier]

When we get on Gogebic at night and its snowing/blowing we take it really easy especially going from East to West on the north side of the lake. Instead of pinning it from Bergland to the Hoop I'll hug the shore line (within reason).

In a typical split up we can usually turn around and find the group...most likely a sled issue.
Otherwise we have sent text messages to all and indicate a meet up spot like a bar in the nearest town.

 

[rev07]

Group of 7 sleds entered onto the lake at the park also-2:00AM (after 240 mile day) and its snowing to beat the band. Leader was only one familiar with Lake and also staying at Root Cellar. Rest of us 6 first time to UP.
Decided we would travel in a pack at 50 MPH until there and all follow leader off lake. I stayed on a taillight as this was only thing I could barely see and i greatly feared getting separated. 50 turned to 75 but still stayed on that light. Guess its about three miles or so later 6 of 7 pulled into RC. We located #7 headlight and retrieved. She was not happy-jumped from sled-pulled helmet and screamed 'what the F happened to 50MPH?!'
I've been on many lakes but nothing like that one-

 

[slimcake]

Often wondered why they don't stake/mark it like they do on lakes in WI. Just something to keep a reference. Doesn't matter to me anymore as I avoid that area but seems simple enough.

 

[Magnumb]

Often wondered why they don't stake/mark it like they do on lakes in WI. Just something to keep a reference. Doesn't matter to me anymore as I avoid that area but seems simple enough.

Someone in our group years ago was running over tip-ups on there sled and the fisherman were waving at her to stop...and she waved back politely as she passed them by.

Maybe they are too much of a risk....

 

[Highflyer]

Often wondered why they don't stake/mark it like they do on lakes in WI. Just something to keep a reference. Doesn't matter to me anymore as I avoid that area but seems simple enough.

None of the lakes in Michigan get staked. I agree, it make things a heck of a lot easier on Gogebic.

 

[blkhwkbob]

I used to work with a guy was riding on Gogebic at night in a storm. Thought he was in the middle of the lake and wound up riding up onto shore and into trees. Busted himself up good enough to be transported to Minnesota the next day.

For trail purposes, we always tell our groups: if you think you lost us or made a wrong turn, go back to or stop and stay at the last intersection. We will come back. Don't go wandering trying to find us. We will find you.

 

[Deleted member 10829]

My wife and I and another couple were out on LG one night when it was snowing so hard you could hardly see your ski tips. We thought we were going in a straight line but we were turning just enough that we were actually going in circles. We thought we were getting close to Bergland and came across the Root Cellar light and I decided we are jumping on East Shore Drive, with about 10" of fresh snow on it, and take it back to our rental home right on that road. My wife was very upset and I don't blame her. It was scary for sure.

As far as getting lost in a group, I tell everyone you are responsible for the person behind you. If we make a turn, you don't move until the person behind you shows up and so on up to the last person. If anyone gets lost they are to stay put and we will come back and find them. I find if you take care of the person behind you, we don't have many problems.

 

[POLARISDAN]

this is the scariest lake ive ever been on..and i know it ok..but leaving toms(back when it rocked) in a storm we had a guy tell us he'd lead us back to trail to go to mass, and save some time..prob 13..well he blasted off and goodbye..we were UP to the cowling in slush and figured we were in big truble..couldnt stop at all so we found an off in a backyard..woke the dam place UP..bunch of guys come to the door and we got some directions to a trail..longest dam ride ever back to mass..think we got there 5am..we dont do goegibic late nights without a stayover plan anymore..

and dont forget about the ice heaves u cant see in a storm..lose someone every cupl years

pd

 

[1fujifilm]

this is the scariest lake ive ever been on..and i know it ok..but leaving toms(back when it rocked) in a storm we had a guy tell us he'd lead us back to trail to go to mass, and save some time..prob 13..well he blasted off and goodbye..we were UP to the cowling in slush and figured we were in big truble..couldnt stop at all so we found an off in a backyard..woke the dam place UP..bunch of guys come to the door and we got some directions to a trail..longest dam ride ever back to mass..think we got there 5am..we dont do goegibic late nights without a stayover plan anymore..

and dont forget about the ice heaves u cant see in a storm..lose someone every cupl years

pd

Back in the late 90's when we rode out of Hurley it was as simple as riding the trails to the Root Cellar and wanting to take a short cut across the lake to the Gogebic lodge and on to Hurley, more than once got turned around a bit going 40 MPH in a snow storm.
****, I was more worried about getting hit by another sled going 100MPH and not seeing me than anything.

Bear

 

[uncle_ed]

Got to have a compass or gps when riding across a large lake winter or summer. To easy to get turned around without the sun to assist you with directions.

Years ago I did a day trip with my cousin and had to cross lake Simcoe to get north to the trail system. Its about 20 some miles across the lake so you lose sight of shore a ways out and navigation gets tougher. On the return trip home it started to snow quarter sized snow flakes to beat the band and did not let up for hours so to say the least navigating the lake got even tougher. We had to slow down to a crawl so we didnt pile into a shanty or another sledder and lucky enough i had a gps mounted to the handle bars. Not so lucky for the 2 guys we met out in the storm pulling their portable shanty in by hand. They flagged us down and said they had been trying to get back in to shore for more than an hour and had only walked out a mile or so to fish so they were definitely lost. I pointed them in the right direction but knew they would never make it back in with white out conditions so I gave them my pin on ball compass and told them to keep heading west which would get them to shore from where we were. I bet they werent the only ones lost out here that night!

I keep a compass with me all the time even though I have a gps....... just in case

 

[slimcake]

Polaris PIDD is nice in these situations....

 

[farmrmac01]

I know it is illegal, but i take the road around that lake when it is a white out... its legal on east shore but not west shore. Ill take a ticket over being lost any day.

 

[chunk06]

My wife and I hit some bad slush out on Gogebic years ago in the dark. A bunch of tracks slowly turned to a few on the East side heading north from RC. I had a XC 700 with M10 that was kind of a dog that barely powered through it. My wife was hitting and kicking me when we made it to shore. Hit the Hoop and had a double thinking about how dumb we were. I now only travel the path on the west side.

 

[slimcake]

I have been with guys that took helicopter from lodge to rc. Or so they thought. We used to stay a few doors up from lodge and I hit a tree on that lake going only a quarter mile. Gogebic and me got lots of stories. Most of which I won't post on the internet....

 

[POLARISDAN]

I have been with guys that took helicopter from lodge to rc. Or so they thought. We used to stay a few doors up from lodge and I hit a tree on that lake going only a quarter mile. Gogebic and me got lots of stories. Most of which I won't post on the internet....

ha..ill bet..i threw out a clean one..remember the skeleton sled shirts? dont think they sell them anymore

 

[snomoman]

Lake goebic sure has stirred up a lot of stories..i have a few also, back in the 90's we were going from north side
to south side (supposedly 18 miles) going 75-80 mph thinking maybe just a little too fast, so I slow down
to around 50 (thank god) all of a sudden me and my machine are straight up and down, uhoh separation anxiety.
I had hit a snow drift, time to bail, I flip flop around and come to a stop, look at my sled around 150 feet away
sitting there idling away waiting to continue. I have used a tether switch from then on.
Just last trip we were coming from the trail by hoot and holler and figured we take a short cut on the lake to
the northeast corner because the trails were awful. I was convinced that I had past it and was going south
down the east side but hadn't gone far enough. finally stopped where there was a light and found out I need
to go just another 500 yards. In the dark out there it brings on a real eerie feeling of anxiety when you don't
know where your headed.

 

[slowsi00]

That lake demands respect.

 

[joboy65ss]

All lakes demand respect, whether you are familiar with them or not. We are all reminded when a tragedy like this happens to slow down and make sure you know where, and can see everyone in your group. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of her family and friends.