How to Enjoy a Wisconsin Winter

JGON

JGON

Joined
Mar 12, 2010
Messages
975
Hello All,

I moved recently, and with all the madness of moving and setting up a new house while putting down the old one, I haven't had the time to post any pics of my most recent winter outings. I'm going to get caught up and show you what I've been up to this winter. This will be pic heavy...

Let's start with Kettle Moraine State Forest. This place is HUGE. I have only begun to scratch the surface of exploring all of the areas that are encompassed by this forest. The forest and the topography of the area was created by glaciers in the last ice age. The name, Kettle Moraine, actually comes from two different topographical terms describing land features created by glaciers. A kettle is a sediment filled area that was gouged out by a glacier, and often times these are left as lakes. A Moraine is a sediment or debris build up left by a glacier, and they look like large hills. The features are right next to each other, one after the other, taking up this whole area. It's amazing to hike through such scenery.

Here is a pic of what I saw as soon as I rounded the first bend in the trail on one of my January hikes.

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This was shortly after a brief thaw, and all the snow melted. It dumped on us again shortly after that. This area is about 20 minutes from my house, and I've been out here almost every weekend for some time now. Here are some more images of this area...

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MORE TO COME
 
I almost prefer winter hiking to summer hiking. Less bugs and humidity\sweltering heat. I don't know if I'd want to endure Wisconsin temperatures though :).
 
I've been able to practice some wilderness skills recently as well. I have never attempted to to create a friction fire with a bow drill, but that is what I am going to attempt next. This time I made a figure 4 deadfall. Also during my hike I found a scenic overlook that I did not know was there. It's a beautiful spot, and while I was there I had some grub and a chug.

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My most recent time out I went snowshoeing after we got 5 inches of snow in my area. I've only lived in this area for about 2 weeks, but I discovered a large ravine a two minute walk from where I live that I've been out to a couple of times now. The thing is pretty big, and I took the snowshoes out to explore it as well as test my new honey stove and firemaking skills.

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At one point in this hike, something very weird happened. I was sawing through wrist thick deadwood branches to make my firewood when I heard a commotion on the other side of the ravine. I could barely make out 3 people on the rim of the other side. I took out my binoculars and I saw three people that were wearing camoflauge They also appeared to have firearms. I didn't really know what to think at first, but I kept watching them. After some time, I realized that they were maybe 16 years old, and I believed they were airsoft rifles. They were just playing, but it was still a strange experience to be caught up in their little warzone while hiking! They were pretty far away, but you can make them out in this picture...

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Well this summarizes my most recent outing so far this winter. Since I started going to the same places almost weekly, I have really learned to appreciate the seasons and all that the changing weather and environments have to offer. Getting outside every day has changed my life. It's not always about those once a year or once in a lifetime wilderness experiences, like an African Safari or an Alaskan Bear hunt, or Yellowstone or whatever. I would love any one of those and I hope I can do them one day, but if you really want to enjoy nature and experience the best that your local world has to offer, you have to get your butt off the couch, find your local gems and explore them as much as you can.

JGON
 
It is the honey stove. I like it so far, but have only had it out a couple of times. I also got the expanded kit called the hive for bigger fires. I haven't put that together yet, but when I do you know there will be photos!

JGON
 
Awesome pics, You really have a great place to hike and camp in.
I have always wanted to visit your state. Maybe someday.
Neat stove.

Bryan
 
Kettle Moraine is a great area for the outdoors. There are lots of parks and trails that go through SE Wisconsin that are fairly remote and scenic.
 
Awesome, I'm originally from WI and your pics just reminded meofeverything i miss about back home. Thanks for sharing.
 
JGON, looks like a great place to explore & just to get away. How far is this from your new homestead, hiking distance or vehicle travel? The wooded area looks like it would be an interesting place to try and use a topo & compass to find you way. Great choice of gear as William.M said, thanks for taking us along.
Be safe.
 
JUST1MOR said:
JGON, looks like a great place to explore & just to get away. How far is this from your new homestead, hiking distance or vehicle travel? The wooded area looks like it would be an interesting place to try and use a topo & compass to find you way. Great choice of gear as William.M said, thanks for taking us along.
Be safe.
Click to expand...

One of these areas is walking distance from my house. The other is a 20 minute car ride. I frequent both weekly and I always have the camera and some sharp things with me... ;)

Thanks again everyone!

JGON
 
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