Jan 09-01

Past-E-Mail: Cam Notes - 2001: January: Jan 09-01
Roof Sledding in the Copper Country    ...scroll down to share comments
Photo by Josh Stone

By
Charlie at Pasty Central on Tuesday, January 9, 2001 - 09:23 am:

In some cultures, fearless men climb atop the cliffs, strap vines around their ankles, and plunge through the air to an unknown fate. The ancient rites of bungee have been passed on to those brave (or stupid) men of the U.P. who practice the death-defying skill of roof-sleding.

Our thanks to Paul Roberts, a mild-mannered Houghton WalMart stockman by night, who demonstrates this age-old practice off the roof of Josh Stone. And thanks to Josh, who captured the spectacle for the Pasty Cam. Josh also maintains a nice collection of his own Keweenaw scenes.


By Cathy Godfrey, Wheaton, IL on Tuesday, January 9, 2001 - 09:31 am:

Hey, we're doing that in Wheaton, IL! We haven't had this much snow on the ground in quite some time. However, we are expecting a meltdown soon.


By jj, greenville, michigan troll on Tuesday, January 9, 2001 - 10:47 am:

great photo of michigan winter adventure 2001. we are all in the same snow board situation. great shot says it all. all work/but some play too. :)


By Dan in Fenton, MI on Tuesday, January 9, 2001 - 06:51 pm:

Leapt off of the garage roof 2 weeks ago here in Troll Land. It felt just like home (Laurium). Had to clean the snow out of my pantleg before it thawed and refroze. Cleaned about 2 feet off of the roof between Christmas and New Year's day. Lots of folks here are getting rain gutters ripped down by ice. They've bought out the supply of road salt, softener salt, and the other alternative salt. They thaw the gutters with whatever salt they get their hands on, then it stains the side of the house.

I haven't seen any houses down here with metal roofs, or a big piece of galvanized flashing on the edge of the roof to let go of the ice & snow. We sure could use them this year, though. Folks have big ice dams built up. Water goes under shingles and ruins drywall, wallpaper, and everything. Lots of war stories at work about it.


By Julie, Wheaton IL on Tuesday, January 9, 2001 - 08:14 pm:

We paid a pretty price to get the snow removed from our roof and about a foot of ice chipped out of the gutters. We have a lot of water damage. Wheaton has not seen this much snow in years!!!


By Jena on Tuesday, January 9, 2001 - 09:39 pm:

Homesickness has kicked in for me after seeing the live cam of the Portage bridge and these pictures of the day!!! I am missing the U.P. (Laurium) here in East Lansing we have about 6 inches on the ground .......and they really panic over just a few inches ...Unlike us Yoopers we are real troopers!!!!
I love this site keep up the good work...See ya when I am home to visit!!!!!


By Jean on Wednesday, January 10, 2001 - 05:00 am:

This looks like the kind of wild and crazy sport for Eno and Toivo to try! I can see it now a new Olympic sport in the next winter games. How far is it to the closest emergency room? Keep up reporting all of the latest U.P. sports and winter activities.


By Barb D in South Carolina on Wednesday, January 10, 2001 - 07:19 am:

Even though I'm not a "roof sledder"; it sure made me homesick for Michigan! It's cold down here but no snow..something I thought I'd never miss! Keep on having fun and thanks for sharing a picture of "sports" in my home state!


By mm.diedrick meyer on Saturday, January 13, 2001 - 11:24 pm:

this picture is a riot. we used to slide off roofs way back in the 30's and 40's when I was a kid in Chassell. My brother Larry, who lives in Howell introduced me to pasty central, the pictures are awesome. We still retun to the Keweenaw every summer and now my grown daughters are loving the area too. Keep the great pictures coming as we surely enjoy them, we're not all that homesick for snow this winter aswe have more than we've had in years, just homesick for the scenery!


By Suzanne on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 11:35 am:

I just had to send a message because this photo brings back so many great memories...during the holiday's all of us cousin's would get together and slide off the roofs of the sauna, garage and other buildings at my grandmothers house in Portage Entry. Great times! Thanks for the pictures and memories...


By Suzanne, New Baltimore, MI on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 10:47 pm:

Just looking into the past pictures here. I haven't been on this site in way to long. Snowin down here in Detroit right now. Saw this picture and oh what memories. Only we never used a sled. just slid right on down. My brothers and I used to slide of the back side of the grainery and chicken coop(where mom couldn't see us). Oh so much fun that our kids miss out on now.



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