Last weekend M and I decided to go for a snowshoeing trip. Snow is plentiful here in Tampere, and we only need to walk 50 meters till we're in Pyynikki recreational area. So out of the door, down the road, and the snowshoes come on. I used my
MSR Lightning Ascents, well used with the colour chipping off in places, and M got to try the new MSR Lightning Axis.
I decided that it would be most fun to walk on the lake, along the shore on the ice. This decision was met with skepticism from M, who didn't find the occasional puddles and open ice along the shore inspiring confidence. I reassured here that we're safe, as besides the 50 cm or more of snow between us and the ice, there was at most 30 cm till the bottom. We're safe. Trust me. I'm an aspiring Wilderness Guide. I'm not gonna take a risk.
A Meadow Vole snow tunnel.
So off we went, at a leisurely speed, mostly because the heel strap of the Axis kept on slipping of M's shoe. This became quite annoying, so after a while we switched snowshoes, and from there on we were fine. We were following a path where there was one, and made our own track where there wasn't.
Following a path, enhancing it with our snowshoes. I will bill the city for that =)
M making tracks.
Yours truly leading the way.
Looking back.
We life in a nice area of Tampere, five minutes walking distance to the centre, and far less than that to the recreational area, the beach and lake. We can snowshoe/ ski on the lake till Nokia (the town where this one quite popular Finnish company is from) and further, going along some nice parts of Tampere, where small wooden houses are still the norm. Anyway.
Walking on ice and snow, besides the aforementioned issues, are fun. Lakes are even, and make for an easy and fun snowshoeing experience. Finding the best part to walk on was an enjoyable challenge, too close to the shore and you're walking in 75 cm of powder, to far from the shore and the ice-trust-issue came up. Walk in the middle of both and you sink into the snow only a few centimeters. Following the mountain hare tracks in the snow is also smart!
We walked for three hours, with little breaks enjoying the flora and fauna, had a cup of tea at the end and were amused by the cat we met along the way. Then it was off the lake and up to the street, from where we caught a bus home. To see a map with stats of this trip,
click here. And now go out and enjoy a walk in your neighbourhood!
Last weekend M and I decided to go for a snowshoeing trip. Snow is plentiful here in Tampere, and we only need to walk 50 meters till we're in Pyynikki recreational area. So out of the door, down the road, and the snowshoes come on. I used my
MSR Lightning Ascents, well used with the colour chipping off in places, and M got to try the new MSR Lightning Axis.
I decided that it would be most fun to walk on the lake, along the shore on the ice. This decision was met with skepticism from M, who didn't find the occasional puddles and open ice along the shore inspiring confidence. I reassured here that we're safe, as besides the 50 cm or more of snow between us and the ice, there was at most 30 cm till the bottom. We're safe. Trust me. I'm an aspiring Wilderness Guide. I'm not gonna take a risk.
A Meadow Vole snow tunnel.
So off we went, at a leisurely speed, mostly because the heel strap of the Axis kept on slipping of M's shoe. This became quite annoying, so after a while we switched snowshoes, and from there on we were fine. We were following a path where there was one, and made our own track where there wasn't.
Following a path, enhancing it with our snowshoes. I will bill the city for that =)
M making tracks.
Yours truly leading the way.
Looking back.
We life in a nice area of Tampere, five minutes walking distance to the centre, and far less than that to the recreational area, the beach and lake. We can snowshoe/ ski on the lake till Nokia (the town where this one quite popular Finnish company is from) and further, going along some nice parts of Tampere, where small wooden houses are still the norm. Anyway.
Walking on ice and snow, besides the aforementioned issues, are fun. Lakes are even, and make for an easy and fun snowshoeing experience. Finding the best part to walk on was an enjoyable challenge, too close to the shore and you're walking in 75 cm of powder, to far from the shore and the ice-trust-issue came up. Walk in the middle of both and you sink into the snow only a few centimeters. Following the mountain hare tracks in the snow is also smart!
We walked for three hours, with little breaks enjoying the flora and fauna, had a cup of tea at the end and were amused by the cat we met along the way. Then it was off the lake and up to the street, from where we caught a bus home. To see a map with stats of this trip,
click here. And now go out and enjoy a walk in your neighbourhood!
Snowshoein' Daytrippin'
nice report, cool shots - new camera? I've just been looking at these...
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! Love the boat with the trees behind it. You had great weather! There's nothing better than an overcast sky with fresh snow!
ReplyDeleteKarl
That looks like fun! No snow here now :(
ReplyDeleteDavid, I have been using the Sony NEX-5 since a few months now, nice camera. It is on loan only, though. Review forthcoming.
ReplyDeleteThanks Karl. I actually prefer -10°C and sunny, though it was a fine enough day to go out.
Kenburg, move to Finland - five or more months of snow =)
Very nice report - I wouldn't need 5 month of snow and dark, but still I envy you for this!
ReplyDeleteAll steps from your front door? You are a lucky guy!
ReplyDeleteMy sometime-hiking-partner/ex-girlfriend now sports a wry smile every time I mention the phrase 'Trust me, I'm a ski guide'. Too many "I know where I'm going"'s that turned into "Hang on, let me look at the map again"...
ReplyDeletesabi, darkness is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYeah right, you say, and you're right. Snow is fabolous, as is skiing and snowshoein' right in front of the door, but the darkness was killing me between December and 16th of January - since then days are again getting longer again. I reckon living Nov/ Dec/ January in South Africa or Amsterdam would be a good decision.
Dan, yeps! We pay a wickedly high rent but I rather pay much and life in such a place than pay less and life in a crappy neighbourhood.
Joe, we all know that your orienteering isn't up too scratch! Now my evaluation of ice-carrying-a-human-being-with-snowshoes-and-rucksack, on the other hand, is undoubtfully perfect! [/sarcasm]
I'm truly envious of the snow you get up there, drying to get out again with my snowshoes, hopefully soon, up to the Cairngorms!
ReplyDeleteWhen will we see a review of that Hornet?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, when I have time and 300 Followers ;)
ReplyDeleteFraser, hope you get some of that fine snow soon to try your new toys. Today in the morning, in the bus on the way to school, and it was the most gorgeous dawn, becoming a beautiful sunny day with temps in the -17°C to -22°C - I wished I would have been out hiking instead of commuting and studying inside! And of course I left my camera at home as well, d'oh!
wonderful pictures.
ReplyDeleteI also have been using NEX-5 since last year.
The operation in the state of wearing the glove is a little difficult. However, I like NEX.
Nice post once again.
ReplyDeleteI think that winter makes things easier in the land of thousand lakes. I don't own a kayak or a canoe (and not even a packraft, though they are not that great on lakes) and even if I did, taking one out would be quite hassle. On winter you can just put on snow shoes or skis and head out. It is all one big playground to enjoy. =)
Thanks creep! The NEX-5 is a very fine camera, I am able to operate it fine (the shutter button) even with woolen mittens, so that is enough for me!
ReplyDeleteJaakko, snow and ice make it indeed very easy to travel in Finland in winter! Just be careful with the thickness of the ice =)
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI have some comments about ice and safety. It's midwinter now and there is tens of centimeters of snow at the top of ice, as well as slush and/or water, but below that there's almost half a meter of solid ice. Thus, it's relatively safe to walk there, althought common sense, carefulness and knowledge about that particular lake (water currents etc.) you are walking is always recommended. Local fishesmen and salespersons of fishing stores usually have valuable knowledge.
Also, remember that snowshoes may lead you into a false feeling of safety. When walking without them and ice breaking under you, there is always safe ice very close -in that direction where you came from! But using snowshoes or skis it's possible to advance a long distance into weak ice, so there may quite a job to break ice before reaching safe zone again. I advice to wear ice picks and practise to use them if possible. Also having some dry clothes (as well as sleeping bag!)in a drysack is advisable on longer trips away from civilization -if walking on ice is included in a trip plan.
-haukikala
That was a beautiful trip report! I love the scenery there...How peaceful! I look forward to more like this! :) http://thf2.wordpress.com
ReplyDelete