This was the activity where I was potentially looking for trouble, as I've been on XC skis one day lifetime in 1992 before this. Midwest president Frida Waara encouraged me to do the more advanced Devil Track River, which also involves a rappel down a short frozen waterfall. Our hosts did not think this was a good idea so with some discussion I went for the intermediate Cascade River. Lutsen provided 3 guides, so one could stay with me if necessary and not hold up the rest of the group.
Our guide near the start. I fell and tweaked an ankle about 5 minutes along, but that was minor as it did not get any worse as the skiing continued. I was OK on the downhill sections if there was flat runout below to slow down gradually. But in some more confined places I took the skis off to walk down a few feet.
This was the waterfall the Staples and some other members tried ice climbing that afternoon. No it's not the camera, that ice really is yellow.
Skiing along the river, next to some holes that opened during the warm weather the previous week. When it's extra warm the river flow rises and sometimes comes up through the holes, flows on the surfaces and then refreezes. The guides inspected the rivers just before we arrived, as they might have been unsafe if the warmth had continued. They said the ice breakups, when they finally occur, tend to be very abrupt.
Approaching a smaller frozen waterfall
This one is blue, as it's fed by a spring coming directly out of the rock.
Some larger holes we maneuvered around.
Deer skull and vertebrae from a recent wolf kill. The morning snowmobilers also found a new wolf kill on their trail.
I fell a few more times. Here is the result of my face-to-face encounter with the frozen Cascade River. :lol:
I finished with my guide about 10 minutes after the rest of the group, but still in time for the afternoon's activity.
Our guide near the start. I fell and tweaked an ankle about 5 minutes along, but that was minor as it did not get any worse as the skiing continued. I was OK on the downhill sections if there was flat runout below to slow down gradually. But in some more confined places I took the skis off to walk down a few feet.
This was the waterfall the Staples and some other members tried ice climbing that afternoon. No it's not the camera, that ice really is yellow.
Skiing along the river, next to some holes that opened during the warm weather the previous week. When it's extra warm the river flow rises and sometimes comes up through the holes, flows on the surfaces and then refreezes. The guides inspected the rivers just before we arrived, as they might have been unsafe if the warmth had continued. They said the ice breakups, when they finally occur, tend to be very abrupt.
Approaching a smaller frozen waterfall
This one is blue, as it's fed by a spring coming directly out of the rock.
Some larger holes we maneuvered around.
Deer skull and vertebrae from a recent wolf kill. The morning snowmobilers also found a new wolf kill on their trail.
I fell a few more times. Here is the result of my face-to-face encounter with the frozen Cascade River. :lol:
I finished with my guide about 10 minutes after the rest of the group, but still in time for the afternoon's activity.