Hi Everyone,
I am 41 years old (Oct. 25, 1973). My wife and I have 4 children at home- oldest is 12- youngest is 14 months. We have 3 dogs (2 border collies; one Australian shepherd (very different breeds by the way- to my surprise)); and plans to expand our little homestead farming to production sheep/lamb farming. We grow some of our own food; cut our own firewood and timber; and manage woodlots (including our own land). My wife and I are forestry professionals.
I am a forest ecologist and silviculturalist, with more than 20 years experience working in forestry. I was a professional logger for 10 years (hand faller). I have lived and worked in forestry in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Maine, and British Columbia. Since 2013, I have been teaching forestry at the forestry college in Fredericton (Maritime College of Forest Technology- formerly the Maritime Forest Ranger School- both my wife and I are graduates).
I live in central New Brunswick (Stanley), Canada, on a homestead/farm/woodlot; backing on to thousands of acres of private and public forest land. The terrain here is predominantly rolling; with elevations ranging from 150m to 360m; ridges and flats deeply cut by stream and river valleys. There are endless fields, glades, forests, and forest trails and roads to hike, bike and ski on. The winter snow completely opens up the landscape to travelling on skis and/or snowshoes (up until about a generation ago- xcountry skiing was quite popular in this region. Now snowmobiles have taken over the hearts and minds of most rural Maritimers- at least those that can afford it!). Unlike the boreal forest to the north; the forest here is mixed- there are enough open stands that you can ski almost anywhere. Due to the terrain- and my personal tastes- my skiing is predominantly backcountry touring- with an emphasis on being able to cover terrain at speed- hence my preference for long skis and light boots/bindings.
During the winter months I can ski most everyday (sometimes twice a day!)- even if it is only a 45 minute cruise around our woodlot with my headlamp on. My wife and I fell in love skiing together (among other things)- but since our most recent two youngest children (2 and 1/2 and 14 months) she and I rarely get out together. But we often get out with the two oldest (10 and 12 years) and occasionally with friends. That being said- over the last few seasons, most of my skiing has been with my dogs alone.
The snow conditions in our neck of the woods are incredible and stable (unlike more coastal areas of the Maritime region). A typical ski season from my doorstep lasts from mid November to mid May.
I come from a xcountry skiing background (my wife from an alpine skiing background). I was born in Montreal to newly immigrated parents (Mom from Ireland; Dad from Wales). My parents quickly developed a love for xcountry skiing which my sisters and I shared. We skied on groom track in the Montreal area; and spent vacations backcountry skiing in the Laurentians, the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks.
When I was 8 years old we moved to coastal Saint John New Brunswick. Now SJ gets a shit ton of snow every winter...but it does not stay stable...and is often followed by warm weather and rain. My adolescent and teenage winters were filled by many a frantic race home to desperately ski Rockwood Park with my old Karhus.
As a teenager I spent some time with friends and family on alpine gear in NB and in the mountains of Maine and Quebec.
In the 1990s I worked as a professional logger in BC. On my time off, I had some incredible big mountain backcountry skiing experiences. This was my first introduction to both alpine touring equipment and telemark equipment (this is where my bad tele habits originated).
Since my return to NB in 1999; I have been backcountry xcountry-telemark skiing in New Brunswick and Quebec. My wife and used to make at least 2 winter trips to the mountains in Quebec (please say the children will grow up and we can start going again!
)
I am a naturalist, ecologist, silviculturalist, logger, homesteader, gardener, hiker, mountaineer, (former sailor), Nordic skier, mountain biker, writer, musician, father and husband (don't worry honey- not in that order!
).
My absolute favorite thing to do, is to be on a multi-day trip, with a pack on, in forests and/or mountains. Although any season will do- if I had to pick one thing before I died- to be out early on skis, in the backcountry, on skis, on fresh soft snow.
