The Kananaskis Caper

Sounds like the title to a spy novel, when all we did was go snowshoeing – a thrilling enough true life adventure, but no mystery, unless you are mystified that people enjoy the ancient and honourable tradition of plodding through snow on old tennis rackets (or racquets?)IMG_20180225_114233

Sailing a bit close to an untruth there; we’ve never used the old school snowshoes, handmade, traditional and really rather romantic. No, we opt for the modern form when it comes to snowshoes. Perhaps we’ll tackle the classics sometime? I can see it already, pure PlaidCamper poetry in motion. Speculative fiction, at any rate.IMG_20180225_121552

It was wonderful to be back in some mountain and forest scenery for the weekend, after rather too many consecutive weekends in the big city. All the recent snowfall created landscapes blanketed in snow, much of it deep, thigh deep if we stepped off the trail. Or fell off the trail, if one wasn’t too attentive to matters underfoot, all too distracted by the sheer delight of being in the woods. Did I mention poetry in motion? Flailing, failing and falling can be balletic.

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Mrs. PC makes it look easy
Some of the tracks ran parallel with and occasionally crossed some xc ski trails, and although we saw no others out on snowshoes, there were a few skiers sliding along and enjoying the day. It was generally pretty quiet, noise wise, just the happy cries of speeding skiers as they hit some of the steeper patches, and these cries were muffled by the trees and snow. We’ll have to investigate some flat tracks next winter, see if we can navigate them on skis with a well trained dog padding alongside. If only we knew a well trained dog…or a dog with well trained humans?

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“Let’s both pretend we’re well trained, ok?”
A short post about a brief trip, but the energy boost and recharge from our Kananaskis caper lasted long after we returned to the city – I can still feel the effects. Temperatures are edging up dangerously close to spring-like numbers, but perhaps we’ll manage one or two more mountain jaunts on snowshoes? Ooh, a serial adventure…

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“Stop falling off the trail, PC. It’s embarrassing…”
Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful weekend!fullsizeoutput_550

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plaidcamper

I am a would be outdoorsman - that is if I had more time, skills and knowledge. When I can, I love being outdoors, just camping, hiking, snowboarding, xc skiing, snowshoeing, paddling a canoe or trying something new. What I lack in ability, I make up for in enthusiasm and having a go. I'd never really survive for long out there in the wild, but I enjoy pretending I could if I had to...

13 thoughts on “The Kananaskis Caper”

  1. Wonderful photos and I’ve missed the snowshoeing adventures! Thankfully you now have Mrs. PC and Scout to help you out of the snowbanks! I’m not out on the ski trails to have ever seen a dog running along with skiers, but Scout already looks ready for the adventure and hopefully you will be able to keep up with her and Mrs. PC. I did try navigating roller blades with a dog years ago and that did not end well. I hope everyone enjoys this weekend’s adventure!

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    1. Thank you! The consensus seems to be that dogs and skis (or roller blades!) aren’t the easiest mix. A challenge to look forward too…
      We were hopeful for some snowshoe fun today, but the warm weather of the last few days meant it was YakTrax not snowshoes out on the trails.
      I hope your weekend has been a good one!

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  2. The snowfall was beautiful, even here in Edmonton. I like the big flakes and snow-drooped tree branches with the muffled sound. glad you enjoyed your jaunt, even the skiers shouting with glee. Your dog comments made me smile as I remember my wishful thinking about a well-mannered friend’s dog-then a rabbit would run by , and off she went!

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    1. I hope your weekend has been as warm and sunny up there as it was here! I think any attempts to train Scout to keep alongside us when we are skiing will have to wait until next season…
      Enjoy your week ahead!

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  3. Your snowshoe capers in Canadian Rockies are poetry in motion, falling, flailing or forwarding along– evocative reading, PC, and the pictures of you and yours with forest details and a misty mountain background surely reinforce the winter fun out there. Here’s hoping there’s more to come before the mud season rolls around!

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    1. Thanks, Walt! It was icy trails and YakTrax this weekend, with a morning start to avoid the slush and mud later in the day.
      Hope you’re doing well in the aftermath of the late winter blast you seem to be getting, and it hasn’t hindered any stream walking. (Amazon is delivering a copy of your latest, promised to arrive before Friday – looking forward to it!)

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    1. Apologies for the late reply (your comment was in the spam folder) and yes, trees and snow are a fine mix! After a few warm(ish) days, snow is falling once again.
      Thoroughly enjoyed your “ruins in the jungle” piece today – an entirely contrasting and very beautiful forest!

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  5. This looks so beautiful. I know what you mean about being in the city too long and needing to get out to nature. That’s how I’m feeling too. I think a weekend of camping might be on the cards!

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    1. She sure is! We were out earlier, meeting her adoring public, and a guy shovelling snow (still snowing here!) asked her age. When I said seven, meaning months, he thought I meant years!

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