Paintball Biathlon -- Bring It in the Wild!

Brian has out-done himself setting the track for the skiers who will be here tomorrow for the 1st Annual Muskoka Paintball Biathlon.  He's heading out about 6 a.m. in the morning to do the final grooming and touching up of the tracks.  Wide enough to accommodate both skate skiers and classic nordic track fans, I snowshoed around it today (putting up direction signs) and Wow!   Mind you, I was sharing one section along the Black Spruce Bog with the most wolf tracks I have ever seen in one place. Obviously our local pack gave Brian's work several paws up!

Tony was here today organizing targets and unloading gear. Back Country Paintball is going to rock the target range tomorrow for all the participants.  The snow fleas are out in force in the area near the target zone. I wonder how many of our spectators will pause to admire them, or if they'll just tramp right overtop of the little guys.

The Dwight Lion's Club is providing a lunch bbq and they are probably going to be after me, because we weren't able to give them anything close to an estimate of entries to expect.  If all the people who tell us they are coming really do come, we'll have quite the crowd!

Algonquin Outfitters is arriving bright and early, with tents, and with skiis.  People who don't have equipment will be able to check out a set of skiis, and we're hoping we'll lure a few folks who've never given the sport a try.  Paul is also bringing some snowshoes for spectators who want to get out on the far side of the course (where David will be lurking tomorrow, along with one of the Canadian Ski Patrol, just keeping an eye on things that can't be seen from the Parking lot!)  They'll have company -- there are a zillion sets of tracks out there left behind by the Snowshoe hares that live in our woods. Hard to spot, in their winter white coats, these are BIG bunnies!

There are several really good vantage points for spectators -- one, close to the parking lot, close to the road, gives a fabulous view of the ski track and the target zone.

The forecast rain for today didn't happen.  Now they're calling for snow -- which will be just fine, although given my 'druthers' I'd opt for a mild, sunny day since I'll be out in it a long time!

It's shaping up to be a really good fun time!