safety
Cross Country Safety Tools
If you were given the opportunity to bring a handful of items, which would they be?
-
The Almighty Axe
This critical and versatile item is a must have. You can break the ice getting your sled out of a creek. You can use the axe to pull yourself to surface and back onto the ice if you fall through and of course, use it to clear brush along your cross-country route.
As the author of this article, an axe is my 1st choice in cross-country snowmobiling.
-
Ice Picks
Ask someone who has fallen through the ice and survived, they will likely share this recommendation, having a set of ice picks wrapped around your neck is a must-have. Watch a video
-
Chain Saw
If you have room on your sled, a chainsaw is also a must have in cross country snowmobiling. Not only to clear trees, but to assemble make-shift bridges, cut ice, cut firewood and make shelter.
-
Silky Saw
If you haven't got room on the sled for a chainsaw, then a good barracuda-toothed silky-saw is a practical alternative. These sharply-toothed tools can surprisingly rip through wood quickly. Watch a video