Snowshoeing. The idea of exploration in
way of long forgotten inhabitants of winter landscape, way of first Indian tribes and later pioneers way, is quite exciting in it’s simplicity. With over 6000 years of history we can say that snowshoeing is tried and true way to venture into snow covered, beauty of winter season. To be able to go onto secluded trail and experience breathtaking views and peace they offer, is like discovering new passion hidden deep within your soul.
...My very first experience with snowshoeing is remembered with a smile, sometimes a laugh. I discovered, and was amazed by snowshoeing back in Poland, while on two week trip with scout group of first year, medical students. Being only 15, and youngest one in group, I looked up to all of those great scouts that agreed to take us kids, with them to explore and enjoy winter in Polish Carpathian Region. While on a day outing, we took a break, and happy to be free of huge backpacks, enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate by fire. When break was over, we were getting ready to get backpacks up and on each other backs. (we are talking HUGE equipment here) Well, instead of putting my snowshoes on first, I stepped of solid trail to reach for my load and... ended up stack in snow up to my hip.
It took a while for our older companions to pick themselves up, after rolling in snow and laughing hysterically, finally they pulled themselves together and pulled me out of snow, helped me with snowshoes and loaded heavy backpack on my back, so we could be on our way... Needless to say, there was some more hysterical laughter, after we got back to base, when everyone else heard about my little adventure on trail...
Soon after that we came to frozen Canada and I stayed inside for more then a decade. How sorry I am now, that I did.
Only recently I discovered how beautiful Canadian winters truly are. Sure, I indulge myself with a week of hot sun, down south, somewhere in middle of February, by most of my winter is spend on slopes or trails of glories Ontario.
In a way, residents of Ontario are quite lucky, having luxury of a long winter, we can choose to use cold season for our benefit. Some of us still spend that time indoors, hibernating, and being afraid of cold, but they too, eventually discover that they could be playing outside in snow.
