Not referring to you as arrogant Zacmied, but the inexperienced guide I was with.

There's guys on here with much more knowledge then me (and please correct me guys), but I'll tell you what I know.

What you don't do in Alaska, is start down a trail that is already broke and start setting traps. Traplines in Alaska are already established through years of hard work. Most of the time, if not all the time, they will be marked by the individual who "owns" the trapline. Once a trapper has established a trapline, and the time has come to hang it up due to age or physical disabilities, the trapline is sold. Also, if a trapline goes 3 years unmaintained, and the owner has not trapped it, it is free game.

A big learning curve and mistakes will be made, but you're asking the right questions, and a lot of very knowledgable people on here to help.

I don't want to come across as cocky, if I did, I apologize. I feel riding on ice over flowing water is always risky since you never know what is underneath you. Overflow and slush are hard to ride on for the same reason, it will catch you quick out of nowhere especially drifted over. Probably just as hard to lay out a good trapline that avoids much of this as it is to not ride over the stuff you can't even see. That slush builds up in your skid and tunnel too, and once it overcomes your momentum it is game over.

I ride a lot standing up, my definition of in the seat means I have not lost my footing on the boards or my grip on the bars, my body is always finding center of balance. A sled purpose built for deep powder would be in order, not the one I have parked outside right now for sure. Add in pulling a sled full of gear, that wood stove sounds better every minute...