Hirviäkuru by snowshoes

In these times of isolation and uncertainty,

the social contacts we can have,

come more valuable.

I feel, that one can't survive without any.

Sure you can phone your sister

the other end of the country,

or Whatsapp your friends around the globe.

But it can't give the same,

as a shared cup of tea.

As many other,
I have minimized my social contacts.

And I have come more grateful for them.

And for, that it is still possible for us to go outside

to share that cup of tea.

And laugh away all the agony of the world situation.

This time

me and my most dear French friend

went to explore Hirviäkuru canyon at Pittiövaara hill.

I have been here many times

(here is the link to my previous adventure in this place),

as the place is literally on my backyard,

but still
this was my first time down in the canyon at winter time.

The snow cover made everything look totally different.

We wondered everything around us.

The sun shining on the spring snow,

signs of Arctic grouse take off from the snow

and building a snow shelter to sleep.

As we walked deeper in to the canyon,
the rocky walls start to grow taller and taller both side of us.

I love the feeling,
when you are on the highest top
or down at the deepest bottom.
The feeling of how small I am.
The thought comforts me.

Finally we arrive at the foot

of the biggest rock wall of the canyon.

The rock climbing wall of Hirviäkuru.

As the climbing gym is closed at the moment.

This was one of our goals of the day.

To come and see how frosty the rock is.

Turns out,

the face is totally clear from ice and snow.

The spring sun has dried it up.

Perfect.

We were thrilled.

Now we only need a sunny spring day

and temperature above zero degree.

And we can start climbing again.

We have a nice picnic

leaning against the rock,

which has collected the warmth of the northern sun.

Eating sandwiches and planning all the things we will do,

when the snow melts away.

Dreaming of the new adventures yet to come.

We hear some voices up from the canyon edge.

Somebody throws a plastic trash in to the canyon.

My French friend yells at them.

Me and my Finnish personality are trying to hide in the melting snow.

Please don't draw attention to us.

Little later we hear them coming down to canyon

couple hundred meters from us.

"Should we go before they come here?"

I smile.

"Yes we should."

Seems like after all

there is some of the Finnish mentality in her too.