HOME
24 May, 2008
I was supposed to go on the lake on the map. The route leads from the dry riverbed to the lake. No matter how long I walk, I can't see the lake. I noticed later the lake was just under my way.
There is no snow here. The surface of the river isn't frozen and some parts of black ice have melted into a puddle. I pull my sled on the field of soil and mud instead of stones and rocks about for 100 meters just in front of icy ground.
It is no worry about the runner of the sled, though. On the other hand, what I am concerned about is that my boots, sled and skis become black with mud. I really wanted to cry because I hadn't expected there is no snow there. Toki gave me an advice, "Climb the higher mountain around there, and you'll see the place better where snow and ice spread over." on iridium satellite cell-phone. As soon as I heard the advice, I climbed a mountain and was able to see icy parts and snow field on the big lake. When I encounter the place without any snow and ice, I pull my sled on a stone and mud field like a hen. Some places are covered with snow and other places bare. Especially snow in dry riverbeds tends to disappear very early because it is a pathway of wind.
Having come down the white river covered with snow, I had a feeling like I'm down because a dry riverbed without any snow lead kilometers ahead. I appreciate Toki for his correct advice.
Mitsuro Ohba
