52 Winter 2015 LOCALadk Magazine
LOCALadk
We remained attentive during our return to the trailhead. It is not un-
common for backpackers, savoring the triumph of their ascent, to un-
knowingly venture from the trail as they return to civilization. More than
a few, in fact, have plummeted to their deaths in nearby Panther Gorge.
Once we passed the trail junction the fog dispersed and we could once
again see for miles in every direction.
Muska and I spent the remainder of our hike tracking snowshoe hare,
but our most exciting discovery occurred when we returned to our camp.
Not thirty feet from the entrance to our shelter we identified the tracks
of one of the most arboreal members of the mustelid family—the fisher.
For all of our meanderings, this enigmatic gem of the north had passed
right in front of our doorstep!
For anyone looking to deepen his or her connection with nature, I can
attest that learning survival skills—particularly winter survival skills and
the construction of snow shelters—can be an empowering and deeply re-
warding experience. There is an array of traditional skills that, once mas-
tered, will provide you with reassurance during unexpected cold-weath-
er situations. But more importantly, they will enable you to establish a
true comfort and kinship with the outdoors.
Dave Hall's book, Winter in the Wilderness: A Field Guide to Primitive Sur-
vival Skills (with Jon Ulrich), is now available from Comstock Publishing
Associates, an imprint of Cornell University Press.
Dave Muska is the founder of Ondatra Adventures. He and Dave Hall will
be leading a Winter in the Wilderness immersion experience in the Hur-
ricane Mountain Wilderness the weekend of January 8 – 10, 2016. For
more information, please visit ondatraadventures.com.
Dave Hall
All photos on this page: Dave Muska during various stages of a classic
Adirondack Winter Overnight.
