CHAPTER FIVE: Bushwhacking
“If one just keeps on walking, everything will be all right.”
- Soren Kierkagaad, 19th century Danish philosopher
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a winter walking activity considered by some recreationists to
be superior in some ways to cross‑country skiing. It is true that cross‑country
skiing is faster than snowshoeing when traveling on groomed, tracked trails.
Moreover, cross‑country skiing sometimes gives people the sensation of gliding
across the snow similar to an ice skater gliding across the ice. On the other hand, because snowshoe
enthusiasts can’t glide like cross country skiers, snowshoeing uses more energy
than cross country skiing and therefore provides a slower but more strenuous
workout. Using ski poles while snowshoeing engages the upper body to
provide a total body exercise that burns about 25% more calories.
Moreover, snowshoeing does not require a machine made trail. A half dozen
snowshoe enthusiasts walking in single file and taking turns breaking trail,
can web in a snowshoe trail at the rate of about a mile every hour. Once
they have made it, the trail can usually be used for the rest of the snow
season providing a packed trail that is much easier going than breaking in a
new trail. Moreover, individual safety is another advantage of
snowshoeing because of its slower pace there is far less chance of you getting
injured from falling down or crashing into a tree. What's more, whereas
most people who take up cross‑country skiing require several hours of
instruction from a qualified coach before they can take to the trails with any
degree of confidence, with snowshoes, all it takes is 50 yards on the webs and
the basic lessons are over.
According to archaeological research, the first snowshoes were developed about
six thousand years ago in central Asia and might have been used in the great
migration across the Bering Strait land bridge to the New World. These
early snowshoes were a crude device made of a pair of round solid slabs of wood
with a leather tong harness. In Eurasia, these slabs of wood eventually
evolved into skis. A few years ago,
Italian archaeologists found an example of an old snowshoe in the Dolomites Mountains,
also known as the "Pale Mountains" taking their name from the massive
deposits of the carbonate rock dolomite.
That snowshoe was dated to be between 3800 and 3700 B.C. Moreover, there is also reference to the use
of snowshoes in 16th century Scandinavian literature.
In North America the same slabs of
wood were modified by Native Americans to the present well known frame and
rawhide laced contrivances that we know as snowshoes. Through years of
trial and error the size and design of snowshoes have been modified to meet a
variety of local terrain and snow conditions. In the past, snowshoes were
large, some as long as seven feet. Now, the current trend seems to be toward
a snowshoe with a length of three feet.
A new development in snowshoes combines a metal alloy frame with a solid fabric
deck that has integrated metal cleats for additional traction. These
smaller, lighter snowshoes also come in a variety of sizes and shapes to meet
the needs of terrain and snow conditions. In recent years the New World
modified snowshoes have become popular in the Old World where they are used for
recreation and work.
“Jobs fill your pocket. Adventures
fill your soul.”
- Jaime Lyn Beatty
Snowshoe Poles
Many snowshoe enthusiasts find that large basket ski poles are helpful to
maintaining balance and aid forward motion, especially in hilly terrain.
The use of ski poles also lifts the rib cage allowing an increased volume of
air to enter the lungs, provides an upper body exercise resulting in a more
balanced workout and burns about 25% more calories per mile.
“The unicorn is
not known for its horn, beauty, or purity; But for its strength and courage as
one.”
– Nicole Beckwith
What you should do if you encounter unicorns, lake and sea monsters, UFO
travelers, out of place animals, Bigfoot, Mothman, along with other rare or
presumed extinct creatures.
If you see a presumed extinct or paranormal creature, STOP! Don’t frighten
it away by any sudden forceful movements, bright lights, or shrill
sounds. Breathe quietly; try to avoid giving it a direct menacing
gaze. Photograph the creature if you can and then attempt to speak to it,
if you are brave enough. If it runs, swims, or flies away, map and
photograph the site where you saw it and then look for its tracks.
Afterwards, file a report with:
The International Cryptozoology Museum
4 Thompsons Point, Road STE 106
Portland, ME 04102
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