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  1. MichaelMerry

    Strength training for canoeing

    I also lift and row quite a bit. The lifting is something I’ve done for 25 years. I just added the rowing a couple years ago when I had some running injuries as a way to maintain my cardio. I really like the full body workout it gives me in addition to getting the heart rate up. I also backpack...
  2. MichaelMerry

    Headlamps. Do you guys use 'em?

    I did a ton of frog hunting by canoe in my younger years. It’s less frequent now, but I love that headlamps have improved enough so that a frog can be spot lit. Before they got this good, we had to balance the gig on a large flashlight and hold it all steady long enough to get the frog. Much...
  3. MichaelMerry

    Spring weather on a winter backpacking trip in Quehanna wild area

    Four of us just returned from a nice little backpacking trip in Quehanna. The foursome included my wife, father in law (78 years old) and our old, very experienced friend (81 years old). We kept the mileage pretty low at 16 miles over three days. We hiked 5.25 Monday, 6.75 Tuesday and the...
  4. MichaelMerry

    Photo of the day

    My wife’s winter backpacking valentine surprise for me.
  5. MichaelMerry

    Don't Get Me Wrong - I Love Winter, But...

    Yeah, I’m in no rush for this wonderful winter to end. I’ve spent more time strapped to skis and snowshoes than I have in many years. It’s replaced my running for most of 2026 so far! And I’ve had 6 great backcountry nights in the beautiful snow as well. Love it! Before I know it, I’ll be...
  6. MichaelMerry

    Weekend snowshoe backpacking trip in Pennsylvania

    Quehanna is one of our favorite places in the world.
  7. MichaelMerry

    Weekend snowshoe backpacking trip in Pennsylvania

    We rely on our gear for warmth. The fire is ambiance. I don’t prefer the odor of the fire on me or my gear and worry about sparks damaging my gear. Even when we stay in lean tos, we prefer to sleep in a cold lean to and, if we have a fire, have it outside. I’ve been following that Sierra dump...
  8. MichaelMerry

    Weekend snowshoe backpacking trip in Pennsylvania

    We broke trail about half the time. Another snowshoer, ironically from the Cleveland area, came through some of our route from the opposite direction. It saved a lot of energy for that portion. The days were unseasonably warm. Once the sun was up, temps quickly climbed above freezing. Clear...
  9. MichaelMerry

    Weekend snowshoe backpacking trip in Pennsylvania

    If weather allows, we cowboy camp. We pitched the tarp for frost as the nights were incredibly still. The first night, we arrived to a brief, intense snow squall. The only reason we ever really use a tent is to keep insects away. That is one of many reasons we love winter wilderness travel. We...
  10. MichaelMerry

    Weekend snowshoe backpacking trip in Pennsylvania

    We got in late Friday and hiked out Sunday afternoon. Two nights! Thanks for the kind words. We love to do this and spend a lot of time out there.
  11. MichaelMerry

    Weekend snowshoe backpacking trip in Pennsylvania

    My wife and I just wrapped a perfectly wonderful snowshoe backpacking trip on the Morrison trail in Allegheny National Forest, PA. It’s a favorite place for us to play in the deep snow because of multiple loop options, plowed parking lots and great camping. We hiked about 14 tough miles. Snow...
  12. MichaelMerry

    Wabakimi solo trip spring 2022

    The lady slipper on the lichen carpet makes for a striking photo!
  13. MichaelMerry

    Great Lakes ice coverage - Winter 2026

    Frozen Lake Erie today off sunny Cleveland.
  14. MichaelMerry

    Photo of the day

    Snowshoe day trip in cuyahoga valley national park with my wife, father in law and Abby just before a snow squall hit yesterday afternoon. Beautiful.
  15. MichaelMerry

    Happens every year

    Grew up on a NE Ohio farm. I’ve eaten many groundhogs. Better to stick with the young ones.
  16. MichaelMerry

    Great Lakes ice coverage - Winter 2026

    I skied in sunshine yesterday and ran in sunshine (and 5 degrees) this morning just south of downtown Cleveland!
  17. MichaelMerry

    Great Lakes ice coverage - Winter 2026

    We’ve been having sunny skies in Cleveland since Lake Erie largely froze and the lake effect stopped.
  18. MichaelMerry

    What got you into canoeing?

    I was in diapers when my dad and grandfather took me on my first overnight canoe trip. Growing up on the banks of the tuscarawas river in Ohio, I spent my childhood in a canoe year round; simple day trips, nighttime frog hunting, trapping forays and occasional overnighters. This fostered an...
  19. MichaelMerry

    Late Jan. 2026: Snow where you are?

    About 16 beautiful inches in Cleveland, Ohio. We usually have to chase it to x country ski, but it’s all right here and looks to be for weeks! Love it!
  20. MichaelMerry

    Food handling while tripping

    This is how I’ve always handled it and have yet to get sick. On a trip last year, we caught a couple of large fish just after lunch that we’d have for dinner. We did the fillet in zip lock thing. Severe storms delayed our travel and it ended up being about 8 hours before we ate those fish. I...
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