RE: fed up with this! need help choosing an esc
The ribbed motor was a 35A motor which is suitable for on-road, or very light offroad use. That is why it fried. 2S on that rig would have probably been pushing the temps with that motor. it MIGHT have worked a little better with a 17t motor.
The HK esc probably died due to a short caused by snow seeing from what I remember they are not water proof (but outside marine ESC's I wouldn't trust the waterproof claim on ANY esc)