Alive!

AP News Service
Minot, ND
12/23/2005

Ten American skiers missing for several days in Canada's northwoods have been found. Authorities say the group walked out of the Adam Lake area late Thursday afternoon after a harrowing escape from packs of marauding beaver.

Expedition leader Mike Fogarty told authorities that the group was attacked by angry beavers shortly after arriving at the remote James Lake Cabin Wednesday night.

Fogarty spoke briefly to the media about his ordeal: "The were rabid, man! They ate the skis and poles first, making sure we couldn't escape, then they started to gnaw the door down! We thought we'd better hightail it out of there, so we set fire to the place to distract them. It worked. We spent the rest of the night running for our lives."

Search crews have confirmed that the cabin burned to the ground. Wild packs of beaver were spotted near the site, but no attacks were reported.

"All I found was splinters of skis and stuff. They were pretty hungry," local woodsman Jeff Birkie told the media after visiting the site, which is located near his mink farming operation. "I think the failure of the Aspen crop this year had a lot to do with it. I mean, they do have to keep them teeth pared down, ya know?"

The group was flown back the the U.S. aboard Apache gunships that were later used to quell the fury of the voracious animals amid protests from members of PETA, who arrived on the scene after word of the beaver attack was broadcast nationwide on CTV.

First Time XC-Ski Expedition

December 21, 2005 was an important date for the Craig Jennings family and friend Josh Neiss. It would be their first time on xc-skis, and it would be their first winter overnight 'expedition' to the James Lake Cabin at Adam Lake, Turtle Mountain Provincial Park, Manitoba Canada.

Accompanied by Steve, Lynette and daughter Krista Tonneson, and led by Mike and Heather Fogarty, Craig, Karen, Brian and David Jennings and close friend Josh Neiss left the parking lot at Adam Lake at about 4:00pm on Wednesday afternoon. The 10 member party set out to ski the approximately 4 miles to the rustic cabin on James Lake. After a somewhat excited and nervous start in the parking lot, the jolly group enjoyed pristine trail conditions and beautiful weather (and an occasional fall, or two!) as they journeyed through the beautiful, and silent birch forest. About 1.3 kilometers from their destination, the sun set, so they donned headlights to brave the biggest decent of the trip thus far. One by one the party accomplished the downhill with some nervousness, some luck, and some skill along with a tumble or two. A corner, a long climb, and another exhilarating descent later, they were at the cabin.

Mike fired up the wood stove, and to the weary, sweaty, and now chilled first-time xc skiers, the stove didn't quite warm the cabin fast enough. At the same time, water was boiled to make hot chocolate, and to prepare dinner for the evening which consisted of freeze dried meals. Initially, the water was provided by each skier, who carried several bottles of water in their packs. Eventually, we melted snow, then filtered that for drinking and cooking.

After supper, the guys went skiing sans packs, and had an enjoyable time at that! As the evening wound down the gang sat around and traded stories, jokes, and had good conversation until tired bodies persuaded even the heartiest among the group to crawl into their sleeping bags for the evening.

The next morning, breakfast consisted of oatmeal and blueberry pancakes. While breakfast was being prepared, Steve and Lynette Tonneson, and Josh Neiss and Brian Jennings explored the trail that lead south from the cabin. The 4 arrived back at the cabin just in time for hot meal after which the expedition packed up, and headed back to the trail head taking the "Yellow" trail.

The temps were warm, somewhere in the mid 30's, and the skies were clear. The warm snow, made for slow going as the snow wanted to stick to everything and gliding became difficult. About 1/2 way back the group took a long break and after a short while continued on their journey feeling rested and ready to go.

Once back at the trail head, Brian and Josh just had to give the sledding hill a try. Josh actually skied down the icy hill and after an unsuccessful first, or was that a second attempt, made it down in one piece, only to try again and fall!

It was a great outing. Everyone had fun, and everyone did an excellent job skiing, in spite of the fact that this was the first time on skis for the Jennings and for Josh Neiss.

A full slide show can be found at:
Jennings XC-Ski Expedition, 2005

Autumn Misty Morning on James Lake

The last post featured a story, with some pics, from our Oct. 28 night-time mtn bike ride to the cabin at James Lake.

James Lake Cabin, Manitoba Canada

Today, Dave Zodrow dropped off some pics he took during the trip. Dave's photographs of James Lake early in the morning are particularly beautiful, and Terry Redlin like.

Click a photo for a larger view.

Enjoy!

(Photographs © Dave Zodrow, 2005)

James Lake Cabin, Manitoba Canada

"The Bunch" (Bob Darby, Steve Fogarty, Dave Zodrow and I) drove up to Adam Lake Friday night after work to mtn bike to the James Lake cabin. By the time we hit the trailhead it was about 7:30pm and pretty dark once we were into the forrest, especially since the skies were overcast. Our headlights illuminated the way, but nothing outside of the light beam was visible. It was like riding in a long dark tunnel.

About 20 minutes into the ride. Z-Man went down with a yelp, a thud, and a cracking noise. He ended up OK, but his Gary Fisher Joshua suffered a broken derailure hanger. After discussing our options we decided to remove the derailure, the cables, shorten the chain and turn his expensive multi-speed mtn bike into a single speed. After minor surgery under a couple of helmet lights, we were on our way.

It was then that we noticed it was raining. The damp trail became a little more slippery, and Bob hit the deck almost right away. He picked himself up, the fall being partially the result of the backpack altering his center of gravity as his bike slipped slightly. We took off again, although somewhat slower and more carefully than before.

The rest of the ride to the cabin was enjoyable in spite of the rain, and the slippery ground. The forrest at night is somewhat erie, but it can also be peaceful. Our journey to the cabin, including the semi-extensive repairs took about 2.5 hours.

Once at the cabin we stoked the stove, shed our wet gear, unpacked our bags, and prepared supper. Spaghetti with italian sausage and french bread was on the menu! The warm food, the friendly conversation, the warmth of the stove made for a relaxing evening. Sleep came shortly after.

The next morning we woke to chilly temps and heavy fog outside, but inside the cabin it was warm and cozy. Eventually everyone emerged from their sleeping bags... I think Steve was the last one to rise. His cold was hard at work making him feel miserable. For breakfast we had scrambled eggs, blueberry pancakes, and fried spam.

I think it was around 11:30 when we finally saddled up and left the cabin. About 1.4k down the trail Z-Man's front chainring snapped off of the crank arm, a victim of the single speed conversion as the chain jumped cogs, increasing the chain tension to the point where the chainring gave way. Our only option was to walk back out.

The walk was actually enjoyable, but Dave was a little bummed about his broken bike. I think I would have been too.

All in all however, everyone enjoyed themselves and began to look forward to the next adventure.