The new year has begun with record cold…in terms of multiple days with the temps never going above zero (f). In addition to the cold temps, a recent ice storm has left trails and sledding tracks as firm as concrete, and a bit too slippery for safe skijoring or sledding. So off we went for some cold weather hiking and snowshoeing.

Just before the ice storm hit, we took the dogs out for a Gryphon birthday hike

I have found that Kahtoola Microspikes are essential for hiking in these conditions. I previously tried IceSpikes ( screw in spikes), and they worked well, but did tend to fall out when kicksledding, and were a bit pricey to replace.

Gryphon has a tender foot, so he is quite appreciative of booties , when temps are below 12-15 degrees. He keeps them on, and ignores them…we use basic cordura musher booties, from Nooksack racing Supply. I have just ordered him a pair of fleece booties from there, so we can double them up, in extreme cold such as we had last night ( negative 24 degrees f.).

Edgar, on the other hand, would absolutely not, no way,  tolerate the boots last winter. We have lovely fleece boots from Eromit K9, which match his harnesses…but he refused to let us even get them on. However, this year, maybe he is more mature ( age 2), he let us put them on the first try. He did a little of the classic “hi-step”, but then forgot they were on. He loves the snow, and we feel he is safer having a layer of protection on his feet…even if it merely to go out to the dogs’ play yard.

We also carry either “Paw-tect”, Bag Balm, or Musher’s Secret  paw wax with us on all winter adventures…even if we do not use booties, we may encounter changing conditions, or need the extra layer for the dogs’ feet.

The forecast is for snow, turning to sleet, turning to rain overnight. Not sure what that will mean for our activities in the upcoming week, but as usual here in northern New England,  we can’t change it, so we learn to live with it!

Thank you for sharing our adventures…we hope to keep you updated as we enter the

                                New Year…Lots of snow to play in, we hope!

Yes, off to get the tree. The wreath is hanging in it’s place of honor over the mantle, and it is now time to bring a balsam companion into our home.

For the past 2 years, Griff has helped us pull out the tree after we cut it, and this year, Edgar will join us.  We’ve lost most of our snow, but have lovely patches of grey frozen crust, and frozen brown mud.

The dogs had a great time snorffling through the ground cover, where many a field mouse had burrowed. We selected a fine tree, hooked up the dogs, and headed down the trail.  With a great deal of speed and power, off they went…running almost side by side ( we did not use the neck line), and back down to the car.

Click here for a short video—-

Bringing the tree home….

The dogs are now resting comfortably, having earned the right to spend the rest of the day lounging!

The morning started off a bit cool…minus 5 degrees (f), but by noon, it was a balmy 16 degrees. Since rifle season does not end until tomorrow, we headed off to one of our “safe spots” for hiking. At one of our favorite local paddling spots, there are a few nice trails, allowing for a different view of the water.  The dogs had a great time, though they seemed a bit confused as to why we were not getting into a canoe.  Soon, we will be needing snowshoes!

Why aren’t we heading out there in the boat?

Edgar checking out the pair of loons that have yet to leave for their winter habitat….

Beautiful rime frost blossoms on the top of the ice layer forming on the water…..

Paddle # 25….heading out at 0900 ( late for us!), on a clear, sunny fall day. 48 degrees air temperature, no wind, foliage well past peak—yet not a single other person or boat on the water. What a delight!

The lack of wind, and lack of powerboats enabled us to paddle freely and explore some areas we avoid during the summer season. The dogs were relaxed, and even got to romp when we put in for a break at the off-season beach.

There were no loon, herons, or eagles…just a lot of seagulls and blue jays….maybe those wonderful birds know something we don’t…in a few weeks we’ll be into Shivery Season, and we’ll be snowshoeing and skijoring. But for now, we enjoyed a placid morning on the water, taking in the remnants of foliage, and checking out remote campsites not visible when the trees are green.

This paddling season has seen us progress from a very short,tentative excursion introducing Edgar to the old heavy OT Discovery boat…to multi-hour day trips and canoe camping in our lightweight kevlar Swift canoe.

I am fortunate to have 3 of the best paddling buddies anyone could ask for.  As we put the canoe to bed for the winter, we have many great memories to keep us warm on the frigid winter days ahead…and great anticipation of the first time we get the hull wet in the spring!

We have been fortunate this past year, in that we have faced very little in terms of adverse weather, or paddling conditions. This weekend was our final canoe/camping trip of the year. Though we only made it as far as 24 paddling excursions, we have the possibility of one more paddle, if the air and water temperatures don’t start to plummet.

We took the paddle pups to a new ( for us) campground…small, on a small lake, in New Hampshire. Very different in terms of geology and flora from our home areas, and a nice change. The colors were a bit past peak, but nicely noted, against the grey sky.

We managed to get in an easy afternoon paddle, and even a bit of solo practice. The dogs were relaxed ( more likely tired, as they had been to a sled dog fair that morning), and we realized we have almost taken for granted how good their boat behavior has become. We did have a near catastrophe when a shore dog suddenly bolted out, barking up a storm…we had our two dog suddenly bolt upright, looking for the source of the commotion…but all is well, and control was maintained.

A shore hike took the place of an evening paddle. Unfortunately, our plans for sunrise paddling were washed away ( along with most of the leaves on the trees) by a windy rain, which arrived 8 hours before the forecast had indicated.  We managed to get the car loaded in the pouring rain, didn’t leave any gear behind, and selected a preferred site for our return next season!

An unseasonably warm ( 70’s) late fall afternoon…foliage still hanging on to the trees, light fading…a weekday paddle, taking advantage of the lingering paddling weather.