Into the Gray

Nice one Ari, like you I love that neck of the world in winter.

Wonderful article and pictures Ike.

Ike, I truly enjoyed the article. You were able to capture the feeling inside many of us, the need to get outside. For some, the nastier the conditions, the deeper the drive.
Superbly written!
Tad

'Orright

Cheers

Good stuff as always Ike. I'd love to be around watching you work to get some of your photos shot.

What a fantastic look at that area in Winter! It's a good reminder that there are many places to backpack besides the mountains.

What kind of skis are you using? I've used wider cross country skis designed for backcountry/trail breaking use, but yours look fatter yet.

Thanks for the (warm) armchair journey :)

…

I love everything about this article, starting with Superior Jack. It makes me want to get out and renew my winter exploration of the Baltic Sea coast.

Great article, you make that gray look beautiful, thanks for sharing.

Yeah this can get tricky. I swear, my dachshund can perfectly detect my excitement level and it gets him totally amped up. I have to watch my mood before heading out for an adventure without him so he doesn't get heartbroken!
Great article Roger. You really captured the way some of us look at the world as an opportunity to appreciate, even if we have to zip up our jackets & bundle up w/mittens.

"Great article Roger."

Into the Gray, by Ari “Ike” Jutkowitz

"Yeah this can get tricky. I swear, my dachshund can perfectly detect my excitement…"

My Aussie recognizes what shoes I'm putting on which is enough to get him excited and the sight of a backpack or trekking pole puts him into high gear. The appearance of his backpack launches him into crying and running sound the house. We've found it helps to take him for a short walk before putting him in the car, so he lays down and sleeps rather than crying loudly in my ear. Needless to say, he LOVES to go hiking.

Brilliant as always Ike! You live in a winter wonderland, wish we had winter like that down here.

Cheers,

Scott

I love your trip reports.

The best of trip reports- great words and great images!

What a great article! It was this sort of thing that first got me interested in BPL.com. Wish we had more of them. Thank you so much, Ike/Ari!

Ike,
Wonderful read. Thanks.

Question:

Were you alone when this was taken? If "Yes" –
Did you delay the camera and sprint?
Or have a far reaching remote?
Or…?

Thanks.

Look at this guy! What a romantic!

Right out of a Caspar David Friedrich painting…

Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog, oil, 1818.

An awesome trip report. The words and images took me back to my days growing up/living in da UP… and made me want to go back ASAP. :)

Now I want some pancake ice! Beautiful!

Great trip report… Thanks!

Wonderful story! Not only are the photographs a wonder to take the time to slowly contemplate, but the tone of the story… starting with that clandestine beginning… gives it a real feeling of adventure. Loved it!

Craig, +1 on the Caspar David Friedrich painting!

Well, dang! A few of the ads that have shown up on BPL recently had predisposed me to expect this article to be about the next ten shades of that color. Imagine my disappointment! (just kidding)

That lake is a powerful magnet, I'll be yielding to the attractive force emanating from its north shore the weekend after next … but not solo and only day tripping.

Great report Ike. I continue to be impressed by your pushing your solo envelope. Also impressed by your spouse's tolerance (possibly even acceptance?).

Such wonderful writing and photography, Ike! Thank you.