snowshoeing to the orange trail cabin

Some sort of hiking/snowshoeing/skiing/camping adventure is a mandatory event whenever I return to Manitoba. This year, my brother and I decided to check out the new log cabin on the xc ski trails around Pinawa. There wasn't enough snow for the ski trails to be set, so we ended up snowshoeing the 5 km to the cabin on the orange trail.

I'm pretty sure the ski trails around pinawa (the orange trail, the blue trail, the red trail) are named after the various colours of flagging tape that were available when the trails were first cut.  Never though about that until now.

arriving at the new cabin.  we were the 3rd to sign the guest book.

Snowy canadian shield.  not what i'm used to, but good times.

We had packs full of food and beverages and as soon as we got to the cabin be commenced "setting about the place".  We got a ripping fire, unrolled our sleepingbags and it began.

The old cabin was pretty beat up.  It was full of firewood and probably mice as well, but that's about it.  I remember biking to it when i was in jr. high and high school.  that was almost 20 years ago, so its not a surprise how much it's changed.  Glad we didn't have to sleep in it. 

the old cabin.  the new one is significantly better.

Dinner was "stuff in a thing".  its easy.  take some stuff, put it in a thing, and then cook it until the stuff is cooked.  then eat it.  don't eat the thing though, just the stuff in it.

mark, and fun with candles.

The beds were comfy and warm, but we (read "I") had to trow wood on the fire every 90 minutes or so to prevent us from waking up dead.  never got cold, but without the fire, we sure would have.  about -28 or so at night.

strapping up in the morning

In the morning we woke up, ate some breakfast and continued along the orange trail.  the cabin is at the 5km point of the 10 km trail.  the trail was generally easy walking, and the temps were good.

walking the 5 km back to the road.

The trail begins and ends at the Pinawa channel.  The channel runs from the winnipeg river to old pinawa.  Both the river and the channel are the site of numerous past canoe adventures.  And future ones too!!

the winnipeg river.  almost frozen.

pinawa channel.  good times in all seasons.

The whole trip was awesome.  one of the highlights of my time back in Pinawa for the holidays.  I can't really ask for a better adventure partner than my brother.  Never a dull moment.  Thanks Mo.