Day 2 - Friday, January 14

On skis and pulling sleds with our gear, we made our way to Shell Lake on Friday where we would set up camp for two more nights. Our route took us down the Little Indian Sioux River to Upper and Lower Pauness Lakes, then across a lengthy portage to Shell Lake. The weather was nice starting out, but by late afternoon snow developed and made the final portion of the trip a little more challenging. We reached a nice camp location on shell Lake shortly before evening set in, then quickly gathered wood and set up camp. After a delicious dinner of beef stew (previously prepared by Dave Morlock who unfortunately could not make the trip), we laid out the sleeping bags in Dan's home brew winter tent and got some well deserved sleep. During the night we were briefly entertained by the howling of wolves nearby.

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The trip begins from the Little Indian Sioux entry point first thing Friday morning.

The group met up at the entry point late Thursday night. We cold camped at the entry point that first night.

When an engineer becomes impatient for breakfast. Dan speeds up the heating process for the morning's oatmeal.

Preparing the sleds.

Dan and Mark get ready to go.

After a short and steep portage down to the Little Indian Sioux River, the trip is under way.

I t's a long stretch of river, but the weather is good.

Skiing along the Little Indian Sioux River.

After a few miles, the topography is less flat with more rock outcroppings.

The first portage is around some rapids and a small falls along the Little Indian Sioux River.

Looking down at the rapids along the Little Indian Sioux River.

Winding the sleds around the portage path along the Little Indian Sioux River.

Dan descends down the portage and back to the Little Indian Sioux River.

Lunch break on the Little Indian Sioux River.

Snow begins while avoiding a beaver dam near the junction with Upper Pauness Lake.

Dan on the Little Indian Sioux River near Upper Pauness Lake (first of three).

Dan on the Little Indian Sioux River near Upper Pauness Lake (second of three).

Dan on the Little Indian Sioux River near Upper Pauness Lake (third of three).

The weather turns to snow on Upper Pauness Lake. Matt, Mallory and Mark look on.

Pileated woodpecker on the portage from Upper Pauness to Lower Pauness Lake.

Dan cruising down the portage and onto Lower Pauness Lake.

The snow increases as we work our way across Lower Pauness Lake.

Mark enjoys the scenery along the lengthy portage from Lower Pauness to Shell Lake.

Dan works his way up an incline on the portage from Lower Pauness to Shell Lake.

Matt, Mallory and Mark make their way along the portage from Lower Pauness to Shell Lake.

Shell Lake comes into view at the end of the portage from Lower Pauness Lake.