Just off of Sunset Point there is a collection of ice shacks and sign posts pointing to cold destinations. Enthusiastic sledders drive their trailer-towing trucks onto the ice for a convenient unload. I couldn't resist the path and ventured out in my
MPV. Things looked good. Multiple vehicles had packed the snow and the sense of safety was reassured by the view of vehicles out in the distance. About 100 metres from the ice parking lot, there is a collection of sign posts. I headed in that direction for a "beautiful shot." As I approached the sign, the snow pack crumbled beneath my tires and I sunk about 5 inches. Enough of a plunge to halt my progress. I was able to rock the van back and forth and then gun'er in reverse to re-trace my path to safety.
I still wanted the shot so I walked back up to the sign to view my tread tracks and placed my camera in the tread for a shot. The photo looks like two guys walking along a major snow ditch, but actually the guys are about 200 metres from the camera and the trench is really only about 4 inches deep.
The un-zoomed photo is below.
Just east of the current Laurentian Ski Club, a set of snow shoe trails snakes their way east then north to the pipeline, completing the loop back to the chalet. The hike was only about 40 minutes with Chris Beatty leading the way.
About half way through the hike we came across the foundation from the old ski jump that was built sometime in the 30's. It seems that ski jumping, has been part of North Bay's winter activities for decades.
