High Prairie, Alberta

With three guides from the Athabasca River Runners Snowmobile Club leading the way, the riders started their run on the Athabasca River, but it turned unexpectedly sour. The original plan had been to ride the trails overland to Valley View, Alberta. However, given the minimal snow conditions, the decision was made to cancel the hotel reservations at Valley View and instead book new reservations at the Pomeroy Inn in High Prairie, Alberta (a few miles west of Slave Lake.)

"On paper," it looked like a good plan, but only on paper. The run up the Athabasca River was reported to have been a great ride; but when they came to Slave Lake, instead of finding a smooth trail across the entire 80 mile length of the Lake, the conditions varied from wind swept drifts to bare ice.

So much for a great plan; as is often the case, the plan did not play out as expected. Instead of smoothly connecting from the river to the lake they left the river and rode overland for a few rough miles. So rough, in fact, that a couple of veteran riders tipped their sleds over.

All the riders had expected to have a controlled ride for entire length of the lake, but it was not to be. Without sufficient snow lubricate the sliders; and they were forced to abandon their mission, and once again load the sleds on the trailers, and make the drive to High Prairie.

Despite the conditions, there were still few "hard core" riders who chose to continue on, under the guidance of the three guides from Athabasca River Runners Snowmobile Club, to "ditch-bang" their way to High Prairie. They arrived, after a couple of hours, tired and weary, but having no regrets.