Snowshoeing. The idea of exploration in the way of long forgotten inhabitants of the winter landscape, the way of first Indian tribes and later the 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 the snow covered, beauty of the winter season. To be able to go onto the secluded trail and experience the breathtaking views and the 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 the two week trip with scout group of first year, medical students. Being only 15, and the youngest one in the group, I looked up to all of those great scouts that agreed to take us kids, with them to explore and enjoy the winter in the 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 the fire. When the break was over, we were getting ready to get the backpacks up and on each other backs. (we are talking HUGE equipment here) Well, instead of putting my snowshoes on first, I stepped of the solid trail to reach for my load and... ended up stack in the snow up to my hip.
It took a while for our older companions to pick themselves up, after rolling in the snow and laughing hysterically, finally they pulled themselves together and pulled me out of the snow, helped me with the snowshoes and loaded the 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 the base, when everyone else heard about my little adventure on the 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 the middle of February, by most of my winter is spend on the slopes or trails of glories Ontario.
In a way, the residents of Ontario are quite lucky, having the luxury of a long winter, we can choose to use the cold season for our benefit. Some of us still spend that time indoors, hibernating, and being afraid of the cold, but they too, eventually discover that they could be playing outside in the snow.
Yes we go out and fight the freezing temperatures that are so normal here. We try new things and find the right activities just for us. Snowshoeing is one of those things that even the ones who stayed by the fireplace all those winter nights, will love if they only try it once. It truly is available to anyone who can put one foot in front of
the other.
The way that the Snowshoes support us allows for stepping onto the snow and not fighting our way through it. The feeling of each step sinking just a little in the soft blanket of powdery flakes, is like nothing else you ever experienced.
Freedom to get off the track and go between the trees to find the animal feeder hidden in the forest , to discover spots not yet disturbed by others and to be the very first one in that most perfect little white area. Yes, you can do that with snowshoes.
The beauty of it will astound you. If you allow yourself to become one with nature, to listen to the sounds of the forest. How often do you have the freedom to do just that? In our rushed society, we owe it to ourselves to have some time in the slower pace of the Sunday afternoon.
The time to breathe deep, enjoy the winter sun and the crisp winter air. The rejuvenating benefits of a slow outing like that will be much greater then anticipated.
Cardio workout, so needed by most of us will only make it easier to go back and do it again. The huge amount of air forced into your lungs, will overwhelm you at first, it may even trigger a little headache for a moment, but with time it will be like you were reborn and your mind will become clear. You will discover and love the new filling of deep, slow, measured breaths. You will remember, that this is the only way we were intended to use our lungs, because our poor bodies need the life giving oxygen in quantities much greater than the ones we are used to.
So forget your fears of cold, dress warmly, allow your lungs to fill with air and have fun discovering our Ontario back country.
