XC skiing and one more blizzard

In Ottawa this weekend, we are faced with yet another blizzard. This one is said to be the Mammoth Storm, a 36-hour storm. At this point, we already had 360cm of snowfall this winter, and is the second highest snowfall in the recorded history of Ottawa (the record is 444cm set during the 1970/71 winter season). We are now expecting another 40cm more this weekend.

But it is somewhat enjoyable for people who love snow. I went cross-country (XC) skiing alone in a 4.2km wooded trail near my home this past Thursday afternoon (during my time-off from work). It was only my second time (although I had done several down-hill skiing in the past). I am a slow XC skier, and I got lost in the woods (after one other skier in front of me sped off). I tried calling a friend for help, but my cell phone died due to a low battery problem (for out in the cold, cell phone batteries don't usually last very long, and out in the woods, the phones typically require much more power to work). It was just prior to sunset when I finally got out, totally exhausted but relieved. I was in the woods for about 2.25 hours, and was glad to not meeting a black bear!