Winter Activity

 The last month and a half has produced a whirlwind of winter activity. I started the new year with a solo trip to my favorite rustic cabin. There I snowshoed for four days. The trip ended during a huge snow storm that produced more than 14 inches of snow. It was welcome however as it greatly increased the base or depth of the ski trails.

Next up was a winter sledge trip to the Lake Superior State Forest. This was a group trip sponsored by Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue. The players were all seasoned backpackers so it went fairly smoothly considering that there were 13 people. There was the usual sledge modifications and stove problems but most hikers had no issues. Several in the group practiced making snow shelters for the first time.

I have skied most days this winter when not snowshoeing! Fun times were had with my downstate friends (Connie, Lorraine, Randy, Gussie and Curt). We rented a log home in the Keweenaw where we skied Chassell Trails, Swedetown in Calumet and Michigan Tech Trails in Houghton.

I also "organized" two skirt skis at Blueberry Ridge Pathway again this winter celebrating a  friend's birthday and the other was a gathering of my women's mountain biking group.

I backcountry skied out to Echo Lake with another friend (Muir) who has now moved to Idaho. Most other days I have skied at the Noquemanon Trail either solo or with my Wednesday morning buddies.

I returned to the rustic cabin with three friends (Ursula, Paula and Rita) to spend several days in the outdoors. Deep but crusty snow conditions were par for the course so we ended up snowshoeing instead.

Grandbaby Emma just visited here with her parents so I hooked up my sledge to pull her around my yard.
 

Even though we've only had just over 100 inches of snow this year, things are still looking good skiing wise. Hope to get out most days until it all melts....please stay awhile!