Rise of the Machines

On a tour up at Crystal on Saturday I was surprised to see what looked like multiple sets of boot tracks right up the center of the Brain Damage chute leading to the top of Silver King. Than I realized, to my horror, that they were snowmobile tacks. Is it possible? Can those things just drive up 45 degree chutes? If so judgement day must be near.

Ovrthhills,
I regret to inform you that yes it is possible to climb over 45 degree pitches.
As an avid back country skier and a part time sled neck, I can only hope that the "Allmighty" will have a little remorse for my soul

P.S.
They can also "Huck" cliffs...

Oh, struck a nerve.  That's cool and all, and I am not opposed to smart people using sleds and doing some talented tricks.  However, I've got to say that I have seen more stupidity coming from sledders in the last week than I can handle. 

I've had sledders that are really cool tow us in and out of the bc in a pinch.  They've been really friendly and cautious in passing, and have been helpful more than once.  I have some responsible and careful friends who sled that are willing to give me a haul, just because they feel good about it and get to go in different areas they didn't know they could (of course within forest service guidelines).

I've also had a sno-mo blast by me and cross a snowbridge while my partner was on it.  I've watched them cruise up to the crater on Baker, nearly knocking climbers out of the way to do so on the Easton.  Just this last weekend, a sno-mo "sniped" a slope a few skiers were about to drop into, triggering a significant slide.  I've seen them haul their ridiculous rigs up to the "end" of the road, and then try to get through the snow with their mighty 4WD, just to get stuck and act like it's my fault 'cause I stood there watching in disbelief at their stupidity.

I'm not sure where I'm at on this, but I thought I'd throw in some fish bait to see what other thoughts people have.  Here's a video to stimulate some thoughts...

_{(I'm guessing it's a few bc skiers filming this...judging by the explicit commentary)}

I was once a full time hater of the sled. Now, I think that can be ok, depending upon the driver.
There is no doubt that they should not be on the summit of Baker, was not an issue until the technology improved allow them to go that high and that steep.
Since USFS does not have the resources to enforce this will continue until everyone who owns a sled decides to observe the rules. On Adams this last weekend, there were a number of sledders, all were considerate, perhaps we were lucky.
FYI, in the days before beacons, people used avalanche cords, basically long parachute cords that they trailed behind them. 25 lb test fishing line, when caught in the track of a sled can totally disable it, costing time and money... Just an FYI.

Here is a movie trailer of some snowmobiling. This will give you an idea of what sleds are capable of today...

And a short clip of the trouble sledders can get into riding such terrain...