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