Different names for the same thing
April 1, 2012 by Alyse Lamparyk
In the U.S. we also refer to it as slush, sleet, flurries, packing snow, blizzards, sledding snow…ultimately, it’s all snow. The same can be said for Finland, although I have a feeling there are lots more terms. Today, for example, the snow we hiked in was called kantohanki, because it had a hard enough surface to support our weight.
Most of the time! When it didn’t, it offered a good laugh. We stumbled a lot, and I was the only one to truly fall. In my defense, it was well into our hike and it was probably better to just let myself fall rather than fight it and possibly wind up injured.
I’ve been learning a lot about Finnish culture and I’m enjoying it. Especially in the countryside, they’re very resourceful. Nature is also very respected, and I respect that.
Here are some pictures from today’s hike around the nearby lake…off to the sauna now!
This birch branch was hung between two trees and had nails along it that are used to untangle fishing nets and see what was caught.
The nails up close, along with the feathered bark of the birch.
Branches are useful in many different ways.
The traces of a branch left in the deep snow.
A tranquil spot in the woods.
The cage in the foreground is dropped just off shore to lure fish in that are then trapped.
An elk footprint amidst pine needles.
Shadows on the lake. The surface is solid enough to support a car right now.
A smoke sauna, which was used before chimneys were added.
A boat in storage for the season.
An underground cellar; good for storage, as nothing freezes.
Shadows of the birch trees. Birch need clean air to grow; I'm inhaling LOTS of clean air!
Moss is covering the many rocks and boulders left behind from the glaciers. This particular moss requires a lack of pollution and is eaten by reindeer.
This rock-covering looked like mini roses to me.
A view of the sky after I tripped in the deep snow. It was a good resting place.
Great post with beautiful photographs.
Thank you and thanks for taking a look!
so beautiful!!! tell clare i say hi 🙂 🙂 your pictures are amazing!!