Winter at Obatanga

I made a trip up to enjoy the winter wonderland and get a bit of business done in Wawa at the end of January. My trip just happened to coincide with an Artic blast of cold air that saw temperatures dip to truly frigid conditions. As usual the airline was kind enough to lose my luggage with my cold weather gear and snowshoes. Ever the opportunist, I took this as an opportunity to buy more gear (“honey, I had no choice it was that or risk freezing to death!”). I stopped at an outfitter on the way out of Sault Ste Marie and picked up a great pair of snowshoes and a pair of winter boots.

Hitting Highway 17 for the tremendously scenic 2.5 hour drive up the Lake Superior coastline I made it into Wawa just as it was getting dark but still with enough time to hit the General Store. There I picked up a great pair of heavy wool lumberjack pants and a hat that were much cheaper than I expected. I was ready for the elements.

I had a lunch meeting scheduled in town but I was determined to get a good snowshoe hike in while I was up there. So was up way before dawn for the 30 minute drive up to Paint Lake Road and Obatanga. The rental Ford Explorer started right up despite the frigid temperatures and I pulled into the Barn at Lake Kabenung about 45 minutes before dawn. Looking at the thermometer I knew I was in for an interesting experience. It showed -25F (-32C)! Just how cold is -25F I wondered?

Quickly getting the snowshoes on before my fingers froze I set out across the ice on LakeKabenung and headed south toward Iserhoff Island. With all the cold weather the ice must be thick enough I thought. Better safe than sorry so I stopped to chop a quick test hole. Getting through 8” of solid ice without breaking through I figured I was safe to start really moving. Luckily it was dead still with absolutely no wind. Moving quickly I built up some good body heat and found that I was actually quite warm as long as I was moving.

I made it about 1 km out onto the lake just as the sun started to rise. What a beautiful place to be. Crisp, clean air filled my lungs and the beautiful sights of the frozen North woods filled my vision. Pushing on to the place where someone has built a high dive off the rock cliff I stopped to snap a few photos. With the angle of the sun my shadow made me look like a giant stick man. I think I will send those to the Patagonia and see if they will put me in their catalogue. At -25 stopping for even a few minutes to take the photos results in cold fingers and toes so I press on.

Farther out I cross an otter trail in the snow that connects the island with shore. About 2 hours into the hike I make a lap around the smaller Island just West of Iserhoff and I am headed back North toward the truck. I now notice a light but steady breeze directly out of the North. It not much but at -25 it stings my exposed face. Cursing the airlines that have my balaclava at the bottom of my lost suitcase I make a face guard with both hands to keep my nose from falling off and haul ass toward the truck.

Back at the truck after 3 hours out on the ice I congratulate myself on once again cheating death. Not really that bad but definitely a new experience. In the time it takes to get my snowshoes off and stored my fingers flash freeze. Thankfully the trusty Explorer starts right up and I fire up the heater. Sure that the bright sun must be warming things a bit I check the temp. Still stuck at -25 it has not moved a bit. It looks like we are in for a cold weekend.

Back to Wawa just in time for a hearty lunch at the Embassy and then off to meet with a road building contractor. He gives me a tour of roads he is building in the bush North of town for the people doing diamond exploration. I am amazed at the equipment he has and how well he works with the natural contours of the land to get the roads in. It looks like we have found our contact for any new roads we need.

I was fortunate to be invited to attend an annual dinner held be the Speaker of the Ontario Provincial Parliament, Mike Brown on his annual snowmobile tour of the province with his Ministers. Local dignitaries including the Mayor, the Chief of the Michipicoten Nation, Economic development officials and other local officials attended. It was a great opportunity to get to know many of the leaders of the great community of Wawa and the province of Ontario.

I am looking forward to my next trip in May. The contractor was scheduled to start on the Iron Lake Log Lodge at the beginning of April but a late season snowstorm left over 3 feet of fresh snow and drifts over 6 feet deep. He now plans to be up in late April when the snow thins out. We are keeping our fingers crossed for a good spring.

I will post a new update after the May trip with more photos. I look forward to seeing you up there and sharing the great Estates of Obatanga with you.

Ilan Plaltrow

sales@obatanga.com