Feb 16th : Sweetheart Run

[john]

This is a Sunday ride, plan is to leave from Chena Pump Landing at 9:00 AM.

I have some concerns with the river this year. The ice is OK I think, but I'm not sure how the snow will be for keeping sleds cool or safe without studs.

I plan to do a scouting trip to decide if its s go or not.

Snow would help

[Stephen E. Enochs]

Sunday paper(2/2/14) has the ice thickness in Nenana around 23 in sounds pretty scary to me would prefer well over 30 inches or more

[mit]

Looked good from the air Sunday. Some open water but it was obvious. Looked like a freeway close to town.

[john]

Ice thickness weight limits, from Corp of Engineers below. It's not so much the ice thickness I'm concerned with as cooling for most sleds on the run. If we have little to no snow overheating will be a big issue.

Tim, anyway you could/would be able to fly the river to Nenena? I believe the trail is set and probable well used. Wondering if we'd have any snow for folks to jump off the trail and get some snow in their tracks.

Based on the chart below, 23 inches would safely hold a truck.

Slush ice has only half the strength of blue ice. The strength value of river ice is 15 percent less

Thickness in inches:

1-3/4 One person on skies
2 One person on foot or skates
3 One snowmobile
3 A group of people walking single file
7 A single passenger automobile
8 A 2-1/2 ton truck
9 A 3-1/2 ton truck
10 A 7 to 8 ton truck

[Summit800]

Says nothing about a Bearcat tho.

[larry morris]

O' it sinks quickly

[john]

I'm thinking pontoons for running board.

[john]

As it now stands the run is a go.

Temp cutoff is -15 below at the airport at 8:00 AM. As it will be colder down the river :<)

1-800-472-0391 1 1 1

[skelsey]

John,
You still planning on during a run down to take a look? I am out of town now but
will be up for a Sat Ride to take a peek if anybody is interested.

Steve

[alaskasc]

Hello everyone,

I have a nephew coming up from Anchorage for the weekend. He got stationed there in November. Was wondering if anyone had an extra snow machine and is willing to let him ride it on the Sunday ride? This would be his first time on a snow machine. I will have him watch some Youtube training videos and do some training on my machine on Saturday. Let me know and we can make arrangements. 907-378-4216

[john]

skelsey, I ran part of the river and it looks good. Their is some fresh snow on it and should be OK for cooling.

[john]

It looks like the temps are going to be close, so please check the temp before you head out.

If it is -15 below or colder at the airport at 8:00 the ride will be canceled.

[larry morris]

Come on John!!! I just got a new helmet and the "freezer burn" I got last Saturday is almost healed. I want to ride.

[Badgersam]

Lisa and I should be there

[john]

Looks like you'll get your wish Larry.

Tonight: Cloudy with scattered snow showers. Areas of fog after midnight. Lows around 13 below. Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday: Cloudy. Snow likely in the morning. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Highs around 2 above. Light winds.

Of course it may also be some flat light, so maybe I'll let you lead and you can try out that new helmet and tinted shield