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!

After last weeks popular "The Week in Review - Mystery Edition" we're back with a reload!

Okay, not today =) It's the "Video Madness" edition.













News & Various:

Mike Clelland! thinks about a wilderness-themed graphic novel. Check out his mood study and let him know that you want one!

A new lightweight backpacking blog from Finland worthy of your attention is http://korpijaakko.wordpress.com/. Jaakko is a regular reader and we met last year at the Erämessut in Riihimäki, and his site surely will become a wealth of knowledge for people who're interested in Arctic adventures.

Antti's blog is also worth checking out at http://longdistancetrail.wordpress.com/. He writes about Long Distances trails around the world, and if that is only remotely of interest to you, you should surf there immediately.

Want to take your photography up a notch? Then read The Photographer’s Guide to Depth of Field.

Gavin realized that a Photo in the Hand is worth a thousand in the Hard Drive. I concur. Though Dropbox is a awesome alternative.

Ed likes trees. I like Ed's photos of trees.

thf2 needs a Trail Name. I think so, too.

Jeremy blogs about The Runner in Winter and yes, it includes a fine video.

Timo reports on the new ski binding from Kuusamon Uistin and made one himself. Sweet.

Angelo recommends the Hoh Rain Forest in case you find yourself on the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington.

Who is the lightest of them all? was a post this week by yours truly, in which I tried to say that it is not gear, but the outdoors, that count for me. Dave takes it a step further, and in his great article (re)defines lightweight backpacking - a recommended read.

The Jolly Green Giant is back and writes A Little Bit About Not a Lot.

Steven presents his version of "The Week In Review". Imitation is the best flattery, right ;)

Here's a great video which shows how two women break camp in the morning. They're ready in a minute - can you beat that, man?!



Trip Reports:

James went to Wensleydale and found death moles.

terrybnd was under the moon but above the cloud. Stunning photos of sunset, a rising moon, and lovely Peal District scenery. Oh yeah, video included as well.

Martin and James enjoyed rain and wind. Well, almost.

John and Jean from panafoot want the rain to go away. It seems their wish was granted, as there are stunning photos from their Alaska trip.

David serves a delicious set of photos from his Cairngorms trip. If this be a restaurant, and I a waiter, and you an undecided guest, I'd recommend this to you. Take with a glass of Coulée d'Or.

Mr. Dial is rocking his packraft in Tasmania. You saw the video above, now go read the blog post. Then watch the video again.

Geoff presents the Hebog circuit.

creep from Japan went winter hiking with friends near North Yatsugadake Sunohaikingu.

Peter went on a short overnighter on the Kuhankuono ski route, and experienced that Snowmobilers are morons.

Alex enjoyed mist and magic on Ben Lui.



Gear Addicts confess:

Brian looks at the Terra Nova Laser 20L Backpack.

Robin wears boots for walking. Boots like the Adidas Terrex Fast X FM Mid GTX.

Dave discloses a few Mounting tricks for skis.

Northern Walker takes a first look at the Vaude Hogan XT.

Jack introduces us to the Sub-35 Pound Touring Rig (including gear).

Ryan enjoys warm toes in winter and now you can, too!

This is the video edition, so how better to wrap it up with a review of videos? Wizards of the PCT and the Walk Series are reviewed by Fax.

And because I know that you enjoyed this post heaps, I'd appreciate if you Flattr me via the underneath button or drop some coins in the tip jar at the bottom of this page =)

Goof-off Thursday strikes again, and after a great discussion on "Who is the lightest of them all?" and some inspiring comments there, and the recent 300€ UL gearlist series from ausgeruestet.com (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5) I thought what better for us to relax, slack off from work or studies and create a budget lightweight/ UL gearlist this Thursday, show casing that lightening up doesn't need to be expensive.



So here's the idea:

- 300€ (lets make that 400 USD) budget
- included needs to be backpack, sleeping mat, quilt/ sleepingbag, tarp/ tent, kitchen (that's pot & stove)
- try to include clothing if your budget allows
- try to stay under 7 kg, under 5 kg would be awesome
- 3 season worthy (Spring - Summer - Autumn) till 0°C.
- MYOG is allowed, only include costs for the materials in that case
- Structure is free, though name, (estimated) weight, costs and possibly a link would be great

Post the finished list, which should be beginner's friendly and give people interested in lightening up a vast resources of options available, on your own blog or in the comments. I will add my example during the day (or tomorrow =). Enjoy!