snow storm

[Jerry]

Wolf Creek Pass ski area (SW Colorado) is reporting 148 inch base with some new powder. There are about 2 months of snow season to go. I had about 10 inches of new at my house last week, but temps now getting back into the low 40s (F) so it is starting to melt. 40s is normal for this time of year here in western Colorado. Went snowmobiling last Saturday, geogeous day with the fresh snow and sunshine. Sunday I had the XJ out for a short (64 mile) ride. More snow forcast for this week, Wednesday into Thursday.

You guys who only have warm weather are missing some good winter sports! Still, am glad to have my old 16hp Gilson lawn tractor with blade to clear out the driveway and sidewalks.

[DiverRay]

Jerry,
Is your tractor a "Gilson" or a "Gibson"?? I know what a Gibson is, as my dad had one, and I'm supposed to be getting it back.

[Jerry]

Its a Gilson. Hydrostatic transmission with a power lift for the blade and other accessories. Gilson was later bought by Lawn Boy, who has since been sold a few more times to Troy-Built then MTD. Good thing it has a B&S engine and Peerless axle. Only parts I had to search for were front wheel bearings; they use a flanged type that I had to get from a specialty shop in Texas; found them through the internet. Blade is power up and either fixed or floating when down by choice, I use floating for snow removeal.

I have the wheel weights as well, also have tire chains but don't use them often as the wheel weights and larger tires I put on back work very well under all but the most extreme conditions. Also have the OEM cab, but the clear plastic windows have largely broken out over time. Engine has a 1977 serial number, so the unit dates from the late '70s. Was the last of the 1-cylinder 16 HP modles, later ones (1978?) began using the 2-cylinder 16 HP B&S engine.

Montgomery Wards sold a lot of Gilson gear, but the brand was also available through other outlets. Will take a photo of my rig and post it if you are interested in seeing it. Accessories I have but have not used: snow blower and mower deck. I was given the rig when friends were getting ready to sell a deceased parent's property; the tractor was sinking into the mud in a corner of a dirt-floor shed. They told me to come and get it or it was gong to the junkyard. Naturally I couldn't let that happen. I've owned it since '97 or '98.

[Ken Talbot]

Whew, snow has finally let up here and the temperature has popped above freezing. Did a bit of clean-up in the back yard yesterday:



then got the driveway cleaned up tonight:



I'm just about ready for spring...

[JWSanders]

Jeez! Damn Ken, pile that up a little higher and you could open your own ski resort!

[John]

Ken

Do you cold weather fellers give your snowblowers names too?

[Ken Talbot]

What, name an inanimate machine? Who would ever do that? I may not name them, but I do have more than one, just like some guys I know with more than one motorcycle. The Big Husky you see above is an '07 model, while the Green Giant it replaced is a '79, and it is still doing duty for a local non-profit.

[red bandit]

That's nothin! My Farmall C is what I do my plowin and other stuff with, it's a 52. Runs great and it starts right up even if it's -10 F. I tuned it up, points-n-plugs... about 13 yrs ago.

[Jerry]

Do you cold weather fellers give your snowblowers names too?

SWMBO calls my tractor rig "The Blade" as in "Are you going to take out the blade and clear the driveway?"

I am not even close to Ken's level of snow.

Below is a pic taken last Saturday out on Grand Mesa:



Step off the trail and you go down to your shoulders, very difficult to move.

Another shot down the trail, West Elk Mountains in the background.



You get to see places you would never see from the seat of a street bike. Winter dosn't have to be bad....

[Ken Talbot]

Jerry, you gotta' come back to Revelstoke in the winter. I could get you out into this kind of area:

[Jerry]

Jerry, you gotta' come back to Revelstoke in the winter. I could get you out into this kind of area:

Ken, would love to visit during the winter. However, since I usually ride alone - not a good idea - I don't do a lot of high-pointing, mostly stay on trails. We do get the 'flocked' trees, though:



The southern guys must get bored with having summer all the time.

[planedick]

Admittedly...

My heart misses the wonderful winter times I had when I was younger. I really like being able to drive for 45 minutes and enjoy the snow and when I've had enough I can just go down the hill.

[Jerry]

Well, that is one difference between me and Ken...my photos were taken on trails about 35 minutes from my house, elevation between 9K and 11K. My house is at just under 5K, so I get home to clear roads and motorcycle riding weather, upper 30s to low 40s F. This is about 20 deg F warmer than on the trails. I can - literally - ride my sled one day and ride the XJ the next, or both on the same day if I get home early enough. Not every day; I get plenty of snow, but some days every month fall into that category. Ken doesn't have that dual-sport opportunity.

Drawbacks, though. 2 weeks ago I took a snowmobile route that included a place known as Little Box Canyon. 6 days later the son of one of my co-workers was killed there in an avalanche. His funeral was last Friday. Left behind a 4-year old and young wife. I enjoy both sports, but both have risks as well as rewards.

[planedick]

Big chill

Yeaterday we had a big cool down. Went from the low 80's to the mid 60's... BBbbrrrrrrrrrrrrr