2016-02-18 63 28

Location

Valtimo, the point lies in a ditch off the road Murtomäentie.

Participants

Pastori
The Wife

Expedition

Skiing through the unbroken snow.

Pastori awakened from his hibernation to observe life outside the cottage and noticed there was a hashpoint nearby, only 2 km away. I shall go thither, thought Pastori. He suggested to Wife an excursion through the unbroken snow. Wife was instantly raring to go.

The weather was very favourable to cross-country skiing, with a couple of degrees below zero temperatures, a little bit of sun and skis only sinking 5-10 cm into the snow. Pastori broke the snow and Wife followed behind him on the path he made. Skiing through unbroken snow is Pastori's most favourite winter hobby but it also takes the most effort. Skiing through unbroken snow is truly the epitome of freedom. Pastori agrees wholeheartedly with the poet Aaro Hellaakoski, who said that ”The road will be your prison, only pristine snow has freedom.” (Translator's note: I did my best, but this is just a rough translation of the poem. The real thing even rhymes!) After the arduous and tiresome stretch of unbroken snow the last kilometre was travelled on a ploughed road and the hashpoint itself was easy to find about 5 m away from the side of the road. Again the mandatory pictures must be taken and of course the setting is in the middle of the bushes but at least the scenery was beautifully wintry. Then back home the way they came and of course straight into the sauna.

The result of the trip was 2,5 hours spent, 6,5 kilometres travelled, 1,856 m accuracy on the point, loads of fresh air and definitely enough physical exertion. Phew!!