We had the good fortune of connecting with Kat Knott and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kat, how do you think about risk?
As a snowmobile club, most of us are inherent risk-takers. Red Cliff Roosters was borne of our passion for snowmobiling. The risks involved in the sport compared to the rewards in our lives; are worth it. For us— there’s just nothing like seeing the joy of someone new to the sport smiling from ear to ear, having the time of their life, falling in love with snowmobiling.
Our co-founder Matt Okray lost most of his right hand in a firework accident in Wisconsin. Matt was depressed, in pain and felt like his disability would prevent him from everything he loved in life.
Snowmobiling saved him…
Matt moved to Colorado, figured out how to rig his snowmobile’s throttle to the left side, taught himself how to ride with his left hand and became one of the best snowmobilers as well as snowmobile mechanics in the county. Matt realized “if I can still snowmobile without my right hand, I can do anything.”
It’s our deep love of snowmobiling and recreating in the backcountry, that inspired us to start Red Cliff Roosters. We want to share our passion and inspire others to join us and give snowmobiling a try.
But, there’s a big difference between acceptable risks and unacceptable risks. Part of our club’s mission is to help snowmobilers reduce their risks to be as safe as possible out in the backcountry.
We believe the inherent risks of the sport are worth the rewards but, helping the community be as safe as possible is crucial to us.
Things like; riding alone, not knowing the terrain, not wearing a beacon, not letting others know you’re plans, not bringing avalanche gear or checking avalanche and weather forecasts, not being able to provide backcountry first aid; greatly increase the risks of snowmobiling. We help the community reduce those risks through a variety of ways.
Club members can connect to find a riding partner on our website, receive info about conditions, access the CSA’s (Colorado snowmobile association) database of trail and terrain maps, participate in Avalanche training workshops, purchase discounted avalanche and safety gear from our partner businesses and more.
We also groom the trails between Red Cliff and Vail Pass in partnership with Rocky Mountain Adventure Rentals (RMAR). RMAR’s founder, Stan Morris, is also a founding board member and Vice President of our club.
Red Cliff Roosters is more than just a snowmobile club— it’s a community that cares about each other, the sport, public lands, the backcountry and protecting all of those things that we care so much about.
What’s up with the name “Red Cliff Roosters?” Red Cliff is the town where the club was founded. And snowmobiles roost snow out the back— hence a rooster is a term for a snowmobiler.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
One of the most incredible things about the snowmobile community is it’s unwritten code of care, help and kindness.
Other riders will always stop to help another rider who’s stuck, flipped over, broken down, lost, injured or buried in an avalanche.
Whenever I’m stopped just for a break and another rider comes by, they will always ask if I’m ok or need help. Just like if we see someone needing help in the backcountry, we go help them.
Several close friends and club members were riding Feb 16, 2020 near Piney Lake in Vail and heard 3 snowmobilers got caught in an Avalanche by the 1 who managed to dig himself out and was going down to call for help as he couldn’t find his two friends still buried. The club members raced to the scene and spent hours (4pm to 11:30pm) using beacons, probes and shovels to locate and dig down to the two buried riders. Unfortunately they located both snowmobilers deceased, buried 30ft down. The club members risked their lives trying to save two strangers.
But thats the beauty of the snowmobile community. People will literally go out of their way to help another rider and even risk their lives to save another rider. That unwritten code makes the snowmobile community so special.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Snowmobiling Piney Lake, Shrine Pass and Camp Hale then to Mango’s in Red Cliff for food and drinks. To the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Sanctuary in Divide. To BWP Motorsports for gear.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Kevin Schmitt who shared his love of snowmobiling with me and taught me everything. Matt Okray, Stan Morris and Jon Cook for co-founding the club, building it and believing in it.
Website: RedCliffRoosters.com
Instagram: @redcliffroosters
Facebook: @redcliffroosters
Image Credits
@morethanmybreed or Kat Knott