Yes, a snowless Christmas is definitely a dislocating experience, even here in southern Michigan where they do hapen occasionally. But as a kid, living about 100 miles away on nearly the same lattitude, in most years I could count on snow on the ground continuously from late December to early March, and if a thaw did steal it all away it would be back soon enough. Sledding, snowmobiling, skiing (right out the back door), and ice fishing defined part of life. Lived for five years in Michigan's UP, many parts of which Tug Hill sounds like it strongly resembles. Even they're green this holiday. I think there's a collective sense, growing over the years, of having been forcibly relocated.
There are those who are happy about it, envisioning higher property values as Michigan winters moderate. Oy.
Not having snow really impacts hunting. Without snow, you can't effectively track. Especially in the backcountry in places like the Adirondacks, where there are many thousands of acres and deer can't be easily patterned, this is a major disadvantage. With snow, you can have real-time information about where the deer are. Without snow, you're basically hunting with your eyes closed. I remember hunting in the Adirondacks, maybe 5 years ago, and a long time hunting guide told me that it was the first season in his life where he was hunting bare ground. And I think every year since, it's mostly been the same. Hunting on snow is no longer a given, and you end up having to seek out snow covered pieces. Things are changing. I assume hunting guides on tug hill would report similar.
We're coming up on the 2-day late "split" waterfowl season (12/30-31 this year). Normally, marshes, lakes, and ponds would be frozen and birds would be concentrated on moving water or the Great Lakes. Everything's wide open this year, so birds are scattered. Unlike most splits, lots of places you can hunt 'em...just not so many where you can find them.
I think generally speaking that the further north you go the more noticeable the changes in the climate.
My sister, who lives in Superior, Wisconsin tells me that, like upstate New York, they have been getting nothing but rain with temperatures in the 40s sometimes approaching 50. The annual John Beargrease Sleddog Race, run every January and bringing in many drivers as well as spectators, has been postponed until February.
Unfortunately that’s the same month the Iditarod is run in Alaska. Guess which one most sledders will run in. No one is crazy enough to try two races within a month as dogs and people must be well rested and energetic especially since the Beargrease takes about two days while the Iditarod takes about ten.
Nearby Spirit Mountain and Hayward, Wisconsin’s Mount Telemark as well as Lutsen, up Minnesota’s North Shore, all noted places for skiing, are totally out of luck this winter. If it was possible to ski on mud or wet clay some intrepid outdoors person would already have thought of it.
The only signs of winter from what I have heard are the indoor curling matches and tinsel on slowly browning Christmas trees.
Today: Dec 28, 2023 in The Bronx: 52F, 98% with fog.
Jan 2018 the Hudson River froze and the photography was world class. While we still can travel we all should do so, to obtain first-hand information, and to improve our human bonds. Humanity must find ways to link arms and collectively strengthen ourselves.
I'm not so sure about that theory. Snowfalls have been declining year over year for several decades here. Unless El Nino winters are occurring with greater frequency (which could be possible) I'm just not sure about it.
Toronto is saving oodles of $$ on snow removal in 2023/24 for sure - the culture of Tug Hill is less than 400yrs old, putting aside indigenous in which case it goes back 8000yrs or so but that won't include snowmobiles - good luck to all, but change is what drives a ton of innovation - my ancestors who departed ireland in 1820 could never have foreseen their descendants such as myself and my kids - keep up your good work mr hickman
I hear you as a fellow North Country resident. Though, it does seem there is some change in the harsh winters of the past, I cannot help but wonder if milder winters would help drive people to the region. Of course, we are combating a lot of government policies that hinder economic growth, but the beauty of this place can be very enticing. Slightly milder winters could help appeal to some. Just an idea.
I lived in Syracuse for 6 years for school, and in that time only had one true “Syracuse winter;” 2017-2018. Other than that, it was all intermittent rain and occasional snow, with maybe one big storm a year. It was always a bit depressing to hear the university on its constant refrain of “oh those winters, just wait till it starts to snow” only to look outside and see rain yet again. It’s such a huge part of the culture and while sure a mild winter is “easier” and Syracuse isn’t economically dependent on snow, it’s sad to see it change, especially when the alternative it’s changing to is a grey, soaked mess of a season instead of a winter wonderland.
Best of luck in your ethnographic endeavors up north. You’re doing important work for these communities
Yes, a snowless Christmas is definitely a dislocating experience, even here in southern Michigan where they do hapen occasionally. But as a kid, living about 100 miles away on nearly the same lattitude, in most years I could count on snow on the ground continuously from late December to early March, and if a thaw did steal it all away it would be back soon enough. Sledding, snowmobiling, skiing (right out the back door), and ice fishing defined part of life. Lived for five years in Michigan's UP, many parts of which Tug Hill sounds like it strongly resembles. Even they're green this holiday. I think there's a collective sense, growing over the years, of having been forcibly relocated.
There are those who are happy about it, envisioning higher property values as Michigan winters moderate. Oy.
Not having snow really impacts hunting. Without snow, you can't effectively track. Especially in the backcountry in places like the Adirondacks, where there are many thousands of acres and deer can't be easily patterned, this is a major disadvantage. With snow, you can have real-time information about where the deer are. Without snow, you're basically hunting with your eyes closed. I remember hunting in the Adirondacks, maybe 5 years ago, and a long time hunting guide told me that it was the first season in his life where he was hunting bare ground. And I think every year since, it's mostly been the same. Hunting on snow is no longer a given, and you end up having to seek out snow covered pieces. Things are changing. I assume hunting guides on tug hill would report similar.
We're coming up on the 2-day late "split" waterfowl season (12/30-31 this year). Normally, marshes, lakes, and ponds would be frozen and birds would be concentrated on moving water or the Great Lakes. Everything's wide open this year, so birds are scattered. Unlike most splits, lots of places you can hunt 'em...just not so many where you can find them.
I love substack because I learn things.
Thanks for writing that!
I think generally speaking that the further north you go the more noticeable the changes in the climate.
My sister, who lives in Superior, Wisconsin tells me that, like upstate New York, they have been getting nothing but rain with temperatures in the 40s sometimes approaching 50. The annual John Beargrease Sleddog Race, run every January and bringing in many drivers as well as spectators, has been postponed until February.
Unfortunately that’s the same month the Iditarod is run in Alaska. Guess which one most sledders will run in. No one is crazy enough to try two races within a month as dogs and people must be well rested and energetic especially since the Beargrease takes about two days while the Iditarod takes about ten.
Nearby Spirit Mountain and Hayward, Wisconsin’s Mount Telemark as well as Lutsen, up Minnesota’s North Shore, all noted places for skiing, are totally out of luck this winter. If it was possible to ski on mud or wet clay some intrepid outdoors person would already have thought of it.
The only signs of winter from what I have heard are the indoor curling matches and tinsel on slowly browning Christmas trees.
Today: Dec 28, 2023 in The Bronx: 52F, 98% with fog.
Jan 2018 the Hudson River froze and the photography was world class. While we still can travel we all should do so, to obtain first-hand information, and to improve our human bonds. Humanity must find ways to link arms and collectively strengthen ourselves.
Pleasant travels to all.
I believe the strong El Nino flow ( more westerly than northerly) is to blame.
I'm not so sure about that theory. Snowfalls have been declining year over year for several decades here. Unless El Nino winters are occurring with greater frequency (which could be possible) I'm just not sure about it.
Toronto is saving oodles of $$ on snow removal in 2023/24 for sure - the culture of Tug Hill is less than 400yrs old, putting aside indigenous in which case it goes back 8000yrs or so but that won't include snowmobiles - good luck to all, but change is what drives a ton of innovation - my ancestors who departed ireland in 1820 could never have foreseen their descendants such as myself and my kids - keep up your good work mr hickman
I hear you as a fellow North Country resident. Though, it does seem there is some change in the harsh winters of the past, I cannot help but wonder if milder winters would help drive people to the region. Of course, we are combating a lot of government policies that hinder economic growth, but the beauty of this place can be very enticing. Slightly milder winters could help appeal to some. Just an idea.
I lived in Syracuse for 6 years for school, and in that time only had one true “Syracuse winter;” 2017-2018. Other than that, it was all intermittent rain and occasional snow, with maybe one big storm a year. It was always a bit depressing to hear the university on its constant refrain of “oh those winters, just wait till it starts to snow” only to look outside and see rain yet again. It’s such a huge part of the culture and while sure a mild winter is “easier” and Syracuse isn’t economically dependent on snow, it’s sad to see it change, especially when the alternative it’s changing to is a grey, soaked mess of a season instead of a winter wonderland.
Best of luck in your ethnographic endeavors up north. You’re doing important work for these communities