Great property, how to deal with snow..suggestions

[Thoughts-from-Jules]

DH wondered about a snow blower on a tractor.....I worried about catching a rock and there being frequent repairs needed?  I agree a tractor would be more useful year round.....but we may just need that pushing capacity of a dozer should we get 18" of snow in one night.

Here is our latest issue to overcome.  Ice on an outsloping turn!  Yikes.
 
Here is what was waiting for us when we got there.


We are praying for good news from the planning commission, DH is going to call a few contacts in the office to see what the likelihood of being able to build would be in that location. 

[rick91351]

With a mile of road if the snows return to your area you are going to need a crawler.  Right now and if it stays this way as it has been for the last bunch of years a tractor with a blade and a front end loader is worlds of plenty......but if the snows return coupled with the winds that just will not work.

Question:  Could you just lease from your father a crawler in the winter time.  Or you buy one and lease it to him in the spring, summer, fall?  Or does you family know any one that might.  Seems to me all you really might need it for is the winter.  However there could be a few of them sitting around in the Pendleton / Hermiston area in the winter when the jobs slow down for winter.  A buddy of mine was telling me that they are going right now for scarp prices.  I really have not looked.  Mostly likely I will have to put off buying until the prices come back up and I cant afford one.     

[Thoughts-from-Jules]

You really are brilliant!  If we got a good quality dozer, it is highly likely we could find someone to lease it during the summers to help pay for the cost of buying it.  It is also a possibility to lease one from family members who already have one.....but we do stay working most of the year (or that is when they schedule all the repairs on equipment) so there is slim option there too. 

[Thoughts-from-Jules]

Well Dh talked to the planning commission with the tribe and they said they were doubtful we'd get approval to build there # 1 we aren't tribal members, # 2 that piece of property is kinda the gateway between the tribal land to the south and north.....and there are a lot of wild horses and big game that they want to preserve the grazing areas for etc.  So from what they said we have a nill chance of ever building there.  We also realized that the deed does not guarantee access and that the land is landlocked by the tribe, not a real promising siutation to be in. 

So our search for land continues.  I really liked that area and the terrain and the views so we might have to consider something else nearby not on the reservation I guess.  It is hard to find something decent that you would want to build on and something that won't break the bank either.

[rick91351]

Wow if it is tribal issues you best keep on looking.  But don't give up!  At least you have some ideas on paper.  You also have a start on understanding solar / wind power.  I feel we all should plan at least a little that direction even if on grid.  I don't like the prospect of computer attacks on our infrastructure, much less the economy doing a royal dump.  If one has a certain level of sufficiency life just got a whole lot better.     

[OlJarhead]

Do you already live in that area?  Or is this for a move to where the land is?

If you are looking for land and willing to move check the area around Tonasket and Republic WA.

[Thoughts-from-Jules]

Yes, we live in the same area as that land. We have decided to just keep saving up money and watching for areas we want to live in around here and be patient for the right piece of property to come along.  We have feelers out with lots of people about looking for land.  I can't wait to get back on here regularly and talk about plans and ideas for building.  This place has been such a huge inspiration. I have many projects bookmarked on here that I check on almost daily for updates!:)

[eddiescabin]

Jules, You'll have much better luck with another parcel.  The tribal problems alone can be horrid.  That mile of snow/ice covered (is it dirt also) road you so casually mention would be hectic.  Using a skid steer or a small tractor would not do the job in a reasonable amount of time.  A large tire loader or track loader/dozer will take a huge amount just to maintain. For actual travel on the snow (provided you have roadside storage) nothing beats a snowcat/ Thikol...with cable winches they can handle all conditions including the face at Kirkwood (steeper than steep ski run).  You are better off with county maintained road and paying someone to clear your driveway.