Paws to TrailFeb 25

First full day at the cabin!

We ventured out onto Poplar Lake for a bit of Hok (backcountry) "skijoring" to check out conditions on the ice. It was slow going, especially for huskies who were breaking trail.

There's at least a foot of snow on top of the ice, with a slight crust on top of that, and then another 2-3" of powder on top of that. If you're lucky, you can float on top of the crust, but sometimes (especially in drifts) you break through and have to march along, compacting snow that can't support your weight.

Zeena was the most elf-like, staying on top for much of the open, wind-swept areas, but still struggled in the drifty alcoves.

(That's the roof of our cabin poking out of the trees on the very left side of the image.)

#skijoring #Huskies

Show threadPaws to TrailFeb 25

Heavier and more spindly-legged Tonttu struggled more in the deep snow, though he did well when the hidden crust layer could support his weight. It was a lot of work! He was happy to relax whenever we stopped.

Dale and Zeena tended to lead for most of the way, while Jeff and Tonttu followed in the packed track.

Our Altai Hok skis are backcountry-style, but with permanently-attached "skins" to allow rambling through deep snow. They've been called "the gravel bikes of skis" and it's a fitting moniker! They definitely floated over the ungroomed snow better than regular X-C skis would have.

We also were trying out the Altai "Tiak" poles instead of ski poles. They work well in deep snow (but not TOO deep), and also help control your descent on downhills (not an issue here...).

https://us-store.altaiskis.com/product/tiak/

#skijoring #Huskies

Show threadPaws to Trail

One of the hazards of skiing on lakes is slush! It's very disconcerting when you first encounter it because it makes you wonder whether there's any ice at all under the snow!

The problem is that light, fluffy snow has mass, and also insulating properties! So, when you get a lot of snow on the ice, its weight presses the ice down, forcing water up through cracks, and then it stays liquid under the snow.

And if your skis break through the snow layer, and touch the slush, ice rapidly forms on the bottom of the skis. Not good! That's a lot more weight and friction to carry along.

Here's some Insta360 video Jeff captured in a drifty area on the backside of an island. Tonttu was regularly getting into the slush here, getting his paws wet. 😞 🐺 Fortunately we were on the final stretch back to the cabin.

#skijoring #huskies #slush #insta360

Feb 25 at 2:01amWeb
Show threadPaws to TrailFeb 25
(Tonttu probably wouldn't sink so deep if he were more patient and not straining against his lead to catch up with Zeena!)
Show threadPaws to TrailMar 6
On to Day #2: the freshly groomed Banadad Trail!
https://mountains.social/@Paws2Trail/116134506475468504