NORTHFIELD — Carleton College will hold a Snowshoe Walk Under the Stars event at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Cowling Arboretum on the college campus.
The walk will be led by Arboretum Director Nancy Braker and astronomy professor Joel Weisberg. The event is free and open to the public. Children are welcome.
In the event of extreme weather conditions or heavy cloud coverage, the event will be rescheduled for Jan. 28 or 29.
The event begins with a brief indoor orientation to the Arboretum. Braker will discuss what animal sounds can be heard at night in the Arb, based on the season — frogs, insects, owls and other birds.
The group will then snowshoe into the Arb, listening for these sounds and looking up at the beautiful winter sky — featuring views of stars and Jupiter — while Weisberg shares his versions of ancient constellation stories.
ADVERTISEMENT
Participants should plan to meet at the Carleton College Recreation Center with their own snowshoes; a limited supply of snowshoes will be available for check out from the Rec Center to Carleton students and employees. Snowshoes are required to prevent damage to ski trails.
Participants should also dress warmly, as the field trip will take place outdoors for at least 90 minutes. And in order to preserve night vision, no lights or flashlights will be allowed.
If you are not a Carleton student or employee and need snowshoes, Braker suggests you contact the Northfield Community Services Recreation Coordinator at 507-664-3502 or The Gear ReSource, 200 Division St., Northfield, 507-407-4327, about their snowshoe rentals.
The Carleton College Recreation Center is located off of Highway 19 in Northfield. For more information, contact Braker at 507-222-4543 or by email at nbraker@carleton.edu.
