The Wingham Advance-Times, 1974-12-12, Page 22ernrnent
Allan Groom**, provin tel
secostary fir reseurees develop-
, has announced the the
Ontario goverment will estnb-
fish an extewivelstwork of
recreational trail throughout the
province. The trails will be avail.
able to PO01110 b wlho enjoy such
outdoor sports and recreational
activities as snowmobiling,
cras ntry ,horse -back
biles, ala trsilbike
Mr. Grossman said that in
some calm these trails will be re-
stricted tar a epeeille use t
separate snewmobiling from
cross-country skiing, for ex*
ample, or biking from bike other trolls will be
identified for multiple use whore
the enjoyment of these e lands: bar
TRATiONTO
C,EAR SNOW
i'N A HURRY!
• fault snow shoveling' John Deere Snow dowers
give you good traction to clear walks, driveways,
and parking areas fast.
• Get a 5- or 7 -hp snow blower to clear a 26 -inch'
width. An 8 -hp model clears 32 inches. •
• John Deere Snow Blowers are built for long fife
udder totigh operating conditions. Put one to
work for you this winter.
Nothingruns
hikeare
McGee Auto Eleclric
SALES BACKED BY SERVICE
Wingham 357-1416
different.sell.
The government will also
establielt a Trolls Cotte to
aselst in, the . developmant of a
complete trails system, Mr.
Grossman told thei.. tures.
Cou will p . of re-
presentatives fromm various
recreational organizations out*
dear sorts , conservation.
isti,fay,, and interested
The Trolls Council will report
to the Minister of Natural -
ems. pi initial task will be an
intory of edging trail and
recommendation. on the develop*
k,
went of a broader trail
"The Cotmcil will adsobe
make proposals on bow it
lieves our trail policy should be
embodied in appropriate legisla-
tion," Mr Grossman comment-
ed.
"The proposed Trails mil
will not, unfortunately,. be in a
position to make recommenda-
tions on the establishment of
snowmobile trails for this
winter," he went on.
The government will, there-
fore, start work immediately on
this urgent aspect of the trails
program,.
The Ministry of Natural Re-
sources, through its 48 district
offices, is now drawing up a com-
plete inventory of existing snow-
mobile trails throughout Ontario.
The Ministry will map trail
routes and, during the winter,
will identify and help maintain
such routes by packing the snow
with grooming machines. Mr.
Grossman said he hopes snow-
mobile clubs will be able to assist
the Ministry in this work. "We
actively seek their co-operation
and I invite interested groups to
contact the nearest district office
of the Ministry," he said.
During this session of the
Legislature, the Government will
introduce amendments to the
Motorized Snow Vehicles Act
_BREAKTHROUGH •
Of all the 1975 model snowmoblleh
around there's just one that's really
new. Ski -tip to sno-flap, headlamp to
suspension; SST has been engi-
neered for today's kind of
snowmobiling performance.
.mirAinirrajerriir
BAYH
E
S
BODY SHOP,
IN:
Clinton St., Teeswater
Phone 392-6883
fa mors ,aaad
owners. A e `
reiltlirOKI to awl
mission from the wow
cuter et private proper ire
be, enters that property. Itraikire
to obtain written permission will
a'`previncial Wows of
tresi, the ai7� nowt any
lawful excuse. u ' ri • t
of the property owner or
the snovnnobile operator
rofiffired to stop, identify himself,
and produce his licence, as .well
as written permision to cross
that property. r,
.,trespass
gl'1,',I Where a complaint of trespass
1s made, the Crown will ale
responsibility for investigation
and prosecution,
Mr, Grossman said that new
Iegislatiion will also ensure that
the property owner or tenant is
not liable for injury to a snow-
mobiler who is a trespasseror
who does have writper-
mission to be on the property.
"However, the property owner or
occupier would be liable if wil-
fully or maliciously intended
harm can be established " be
noted.
Mr. Grossman added that the
trails program represents a
major government initiattviit tat
will bring considerable benefits
to the thousands of Ontarians who
enjoy outdoor activities in all
seasons. '
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
NECESSARY
Emergency equipment- is a
"must" for snowmobiling.
An extra drive -belt shoe 1d Abe
carried like a spare tire plus
spark plugs with the necessary
tools for installation. This is basic
equipment for even casual snow-
mobiling within ready read of
outside assistance. But for
distant safaris in remote areas,
the list is much longer.
—A pair of snowshoes or Skis
for each passenger. This is just as
necessary -as lifejackets in a ,boat
if stranded miles from '`the
nearest snowploughed road.
-Emergency fuel supply.
—A light -weight block and
tackle with 50 feet of quarter -inch
nylon rope. This could mean't`he
difference between • abandoning
your machine or continuing your
trek if badly stuck.
—Toporgraphical map of area
to be travelled and compass.
.—Hand -axe, hunting, knife,
waterproof container of matches
and a small pan or kettle. - •a'•
2tird/61hiiti'
=A small -sized, waterproof
tarpaulin and space -type sur-
vival blanket.
YEAR AFTERYEARAFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER
14407%..
; IT'S CAT
COUNTRY
MORE THAN EVER ... •
WHY ARCTIC CAT? CHECK THESE FEATURES
Unmatched Performance
1 Competitive Price
1 Superior Handling - the Smoothest Ride in the Industry
JAircraft Aluminum Chassis (no rust)
Easy Starting Anytime
NEED MORE YET?
4
ARCTIC CAT SNOWMOBILES HAVE THE
HIGHEST TRADE-IN AND RESALE VALUE
COME IN AND TEST DRIVE
NOW! YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID
P&FLawn&
w Sports Equipment
Listowel, Ont.
291-2441
on Highway 23 N.
We Service What We Sell
tri`
mg<
YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTR
}'{ {•�}til{}•.•n; }: j•ti L L. `y'`'?i'}'•.
: r: •.115•. •: • _ _ _ _ } Li.
•.LL•. : H•. L4•. _ _ _ �.:•:
V: Jy . • ••• • • •.•r: r: rr.•r Y r.1'.L•::::.LY :• L•.{•.4.•.•: •:.:: r L•::.Y.^.:. .•r.•. L
•'.•r.4: ' •:: • •: .•'•'::r:. r::::: •.....rrr:: rr: • •: rrr: .`:.{-'•:•'•:•::• ... }.
4.. :.4' .:LL...r...r :.L•: •::.{•v}:: .L,. .,...:: • :4:.•. �'• . .L r.- •.v: .
.r .Lv•• .r . . ♦... "•.
..L- •r•••••••• ..L.... ..4 r •:•rrr v.
.......................:::.......:•'r::... r L .... K•.....v...................:•:{v......»�::• . L�:;%.{•:•.:•:s•. ... %•.4.''}:ti::;:�:.;:..:r�•::{: •:•::•:L41:{tits: J.4{Y.•:• :v •r.{;::-:{ •�• 4h rL}'zY�'f f :iy:Y
r'.
•Ir••;
i�ws
oeing
An ancient sport reviv
• by
Sheila McCook
Pun aside, snowshoeing is an
important footnote to Canadian
history. And, so far as most of us
were aware, that's where snow -
shoeing stayed.
So how come there are all those
wildly enthusiastic latter-day
coureurs des bois tramping
through the woods? How come
there's a roaring business in
snowshoe manufacturing and
how come two winters ago well
over 200,000 pairs are estimated
to have been sold in Canada
alone?
This all -Canadian sport has so
far only barely crossed the U.S.
border. There is an astonishing
lack of record of snowshoeing in
other nordic lands — skis appear
to be what most people got
around on in snowy lands else-
where.
When Cartier and his men
made their historic explorations
of this country in the mid -16th
century, they sighted Indians
gracefully and speedily
manoeuvring their way across
snow on platforms of wood and
leather. Cartier and his men were
impressed.
Snowshoeing has remained an
Indian specialty. The major
snowshoe manufacturers today
are Indians outside QuebecCity
who apply the patience and care
that centuries of experience have
taught them. Their hand -made
product is still considered by the
cognoscenti to be the best one can
get.
Meanwhile, the French in
Canada from Cartier on down
were eager to borrow from the
Indians and before long snow -
shoeing was a favorite mode of
transportation with the white
population. Its popularity with
the military of the New World led
to regimental games and com-
petitions. This early activity was
a precursor to what is now the
Canadian Snowshoers' Union.
Founded in 1907, it grew to a
membership of -3,500 last year.
The union's charter states as its
aim the perpetuation of "the
heroic achievements of mission-
aries and settlers who had ex-
plored
xplored and settled this beautiful
country of ours" and preserva-
tion of Canadian traditions,
songs, dances and winter ap-
parel.
There are many types of snow-
shoes which range in style ac-
cording to topographical need.
For flat areas, the kind to wear is
tear -shaped with a long tail which
acts as a kind of rudder and
prevents flopping. In rugged
,mountain terrain, the shorter
bear paw is preferred; mountain -
climbing snowshoes can come
equipped with metal grips at-
tached to the frame. In heavy
bush, long, narrow; ski -like snow-
shoes are used.
The sport is good but not ex-
hausting exercise. A little effort
is needed, about the same exer-
tion required to walk along a
sandy beach.
Elements Which brought on the
increased acceptance of cross-
country skiing no doubt were the
same that led to snowshoeing's
SNOWSHOE ING is once more becoming a popular winter sport and snowshoeing, hiking
and cross-country skiing are rapidly taking a prominent role in wihter use of Grand River
Conservation Authority areas. Here enthusiasts make their way across an ice bridge at
Apps' Mill Conservation Area near Paris.
popularity. Both sports carr . be
quiet, peaceful and uncompeti-
tive. They allow one to go deep
into natural surroundings
(although snowshoets insist they.
can go farther because of snow-
shoe adaptability to mountain
climbing.)
Neither activity pollutes nor
disturbs the environment.
Unlike many other rsports,
snowshowing is far from ex-
pensive. Participants don't need
to buy club Memberships, make
costly trips to designated terri-
tories or dress in any special
style. Ron Goudie, CSU
promotion co-ordinator says an
adult can equip himself , for the
sport with an outlay of $30, the
combined cost of snowshoes and
soft leather moccasins which, lace
up either to the ankle or knee.
Snowshoes last for years, are
easy to repair and easy to store.
The new aluminum• shoes are
very easy to care for, practically
unbreakable and very light. Oak
and gut ones have been known to
break but have the advantage of
flexibility, useful for keeping
snow -packing to a minimum.
Plastic snowshoes become snow-.
packed. Harnesses are of leather
or lampwick, the••latter of which
is more flexible.
Snowshoeing took a sudden rise
in popularity about five years ago'
when snowmobiles became so
popular. Many snowmobile clubs
insisted their members take
along snowshoes in case engine
trouble developed. Many didn't
wait around for engine problems
to discover the joys of this an-
cient sport.
Don't think of it
as fitness,
think of it as
funness.
44041
toe (Ansa,.n ma. sates comma 1Ayls
Reim. In your hurt you know :AA*.
e,