Green Bay Press-Gazette from Green Bay, Wisconsin • Page 60

Good going, on white stuff Snowshoes are work shoes in north country fit P. tf.fW i A 4. WixisMkl' 4 ') four or five steps as you walk, Erlandson advises. For cross-country travel in open or lightly-wooded terrain, skis are preferable in most cases. They will enable the user to travel one to three miles per hour faster than he would on snowshoes if snow conditions are right.

Waterproofing, waxing important Key to using skis fr cross-country travel is in the waterproofing and waxing of the running surface. Steel edges now standard equipment on downhill skis are not needed for cross-country work and add quite a bit of weight. According to Erlandson, commercial bindings are good but require special ski boots. Homemade bindings can be fashioned of leather to fit rubber or leather field boots. Erlandson recommends waterproofing the running surface by painting pine tar on the bottom and heating it into the ski with a torch or by using a commercial lacquer developed for this purpose.

After the waterproofing is applied, the ski must be waxed so it will slide easily on the snow. A good system is to use a hard downhill-type wax on the tip and near the tail of the ski, and a soft wax under the foot. The hard wax will smooth and pack the snow and make it easy to move forward, and upon stopping the soft wax will catch the snow crystals until the forward movement starts again. Ski poles are important accessories. For the cross-country skier, they should be light, have large snow rings and be long enough to provide power and control.

The snowshoe fan is more likely to be a loner, intent on inspecting a remote forest or gliding through swamplands inaccessible to humans at any other time of the year. Skiers, on the other hand, take to the trail in bands. Many skiing families are learning that not all the winter fun is to be found at the end of a ski tow. Cross-country skiing can be enjoyed most anywhere but most popular spots are places like Pota-watomie and Peninsula State Parks. Here vast expanses of forest and open land, unfenced, provide trails that bring the winter visitor to areas seldom penetrated by the summer tourist.

With proper planning, equipment and the desire to enjoy nature in wintertime, the Green Bay area family can enjoy these state parks and other recreational areas during a part of the year when they are uncrowded and at their scenic best. FOR day in -day out footwear, snowshoes may be for the hares. But there comes a time when the outdoorsman hankers to leave plowed roads and explore the quiet mystery of a countryside in mid-winter isolation. If the winter is such a one as we" experienced last year, the proper way to achieve foot traction and buoyancy is with snowshoes and skis. Snowshoes are work shoes for many men in Wisconsin's north country.

Wardens, foresters, trappers, predator hunters find them indispensable when the deep snows come. Last winter snowshoes were required to inspect deer yards here in Brown, Outagamie and Kewau- Jollll LtC nee Counties. Due tO intense dry COld Prest-Gazetta Staff Writer and little wind, the deep snow cover remained fluffy. "Breaking trail" was an ordeal even for the veteran snowshoer; skis were of little value for cross-country travel. Under more normal snow conditions, snowshoe-ing and cross-country skiing can be an exhilarating adventure for young and old, the greenhorn and the veteran woodsman.

Snowshoes are not as common and popular hereabouts as skis. But the man who owns a pair, be they Michigans, Alaskas or bear-paw, can get full money's worth for his investment in one season's activity. Snowshoes are easy to walk on after some practice. Do not take long walks until you have used the snowshoes on short hikes for awhile so that leg and foot muscles are hardened in. That is the advice of Dale L.

Erlandson, whose job as conservation warden put him on snowshoes while serving in the Wausaukee area. Expert advice from Erlandson Erlandson says to use a shambling, loose-kneed gait and keep the ankles relaxed. If you run, keep the shoe close to the surface of the snow. Running and raising the knees high will cause the tails to raise too high and the toes will catch and trip you, he warns. When snowshoeing in early spring or during a thaw, the wet snow will plug the holes in the webbing and make the shoes heavy.

It is best to plan late-season trips for early morning when the snow is hard. When snow does begin to stick it is helpful to carry a short, heavy stick and tap the shoes every Presj-Gazette Photo on the bear den trail Herman StikI Improvements made at Moon Valley 'HE MOON VALLEY SKI CLUB, oldest skiing organization in the Green Bay .1 III TELEmflRK7 MORE TIME SKIING, 1ESS TIME TIMVEllflG I I SKI MOUNT TELEAAARK i ii ii WHEN YOU SKI Cable, Wisconsin area, is marking time, waiting for the season's first snow to open its new installation at Middle Inlet, south of Wausaukee. Two years ago the club purchased the Fun Valley Ski Area from the widow of its founder, Jim Olmstead. It transferred its activities there last year and has ambitious plans for the future. Presently, however, it plans to operate the area as a membership activity, according to presi- jy dent Bob Schaefer.

The club, which dates from 1938, was Jack RlUlol)l originally formed with 1 10 yOUng Green Bay Ski PressGazette Statt Writer enthusiasts as a nucleus. These skiers had been hitting the surrounding hills together on an informal basis since the middle 30s before they decided to organize as a non-profit corporation. A majority of the charter membership is still active in the club, which operated originally on a hill leased on the John Kroll farm east of De Pere. Present membership is approximately 75, of whom threequarters are veterans. Baird's Creek, then Fun Valley In 1946 the club purchased acres of rolling land in the Baird's Creek area, where it maintained its facilities until it purchased the Fun Valley spread in 1960.

The first year on the new site was a disappointing one lack of snow made it impossible to ski. Last season the club moved its electric tow from Baird's Creek to Fun Valley and made a few other improvements to the property. A major project was the remodeling of the former Olmsted home into a clubhouse. Among the projects slated for future development are a remodeled main rope tow, a changed transition point and upper level and a number of terrain improvements to get better use from the property. Many of these, however, are Jong range plans.

"Sri! ii il 1 About Mount Telemark Named after the Norwegian province where modern skiing began, Telemark is one of the finest and most complete ski areas in America. Three T-Bar lifts or ten other rope tows serve a vast skiing area of giant open slopes and trails. The luxurious Telemark Chalet contains every comfort for the skier and skiing family, including cafeteria, soda fountain, dancing room and de luxe club- Here', Why World's largest snow making system Hill grooming with sno-Cat. Tetemark's Tucker Sno-Cot is constantly grooming out any rough or icy patches. Complete Ski Rental Service.

Ski School operating every day with certified instructors. 'Alert, qualified, paid Ski Patrol on duty at all times. Complete Ski Shop and two repair shops. The luxurious Telemark Chalet with complete food service and Cocktail Lounge. XX II I.

trim wV II ii 1 i i ir Mountatrt I II IRON MOUNTAIN, MICHIGAN Only six houn by auto from Chicago and Minneapolis Iron Mountain, Michigan, ski cap ital of the middle west. Chair lifts, ropt tow, ski school. room. port bhop.irental department, NKW lodce room, fki patrol all the glittering paraphernalia of a modern ski center. I.an hmont Snow Making Equipment assures the finest tkiing condition! from Thanksgiving to Easter! II 111 Mil.

For reservation or free color folder call or rite 1 Tate Hyt. ond 63 Approximately 150 WWet No'tli of tf Citl IVlounff Telemark SKI AREA Box 254, Coble, Wisconsin. For Information Phone Cable PY 8-3255 or Hayward, Wis. 15 or 254 Pine Mountain Corporation, Iron Mountain, Mich. I IL 12 Sundoy, Dec.

9, 1962 GREEN BAY PRESS GAZETTE.