Winter Snowshoeing

Winter Snowshoeing

Turn Snow Covered Fields Into Fun and Exercise!

 

 

 

 


By Bob Ryan

When you wake up on most winter mornings, in the mountains, the first thing you do is look outside to see how much snow has fallen overnight. More often than not you are greeted with a fresh white blanket of new snow. You can go back to bed and sleep until spring, tempting but not an option for most of us, or you can go outside and enjoy what winter has to offer.

Some of the best winter hikes that you can experience are after a fresh snowfall. Everything is wrapped in a white blanket, animal tracks are everywhere, and even the air smells cleaner. A fun, inexpensive and simple way to access your favorite trails in wintertime is with a pair snowshoes.

Snowshoes have been moving people across snow for almost 6000 years. The principle is still the same; snowshoes distribute your weight over a large area so you do not sink into the snow.

Nobody is really sure, but snowshoes probably were first used somewhere in central Europe. The traditional webbed foot style of snowshoe can be traced back to the early indigenous people of North America. They were thought to be made by simply bending twigs of Ash, Birch or Spruce wood and lashing them together with rawhide lace. Styles and shapes of snowshoes varied by tribe and use. The Inuit’s had an almost circular snowshoe for use in deep powder snow. Further south of the Inuit tribe, the Iroquois had a short narrow shoe for use in shallower wet snow.

The recreational style snowshoe we use today has its origins in the 18th century. Originally designed for military use, the teardrop design shoe was modified for use by everyone from lumberjacks to animal trackers to Canadian snowshoe clubs. Early designs ranged in size from 40 inches to over 5 feet in length. Most were made from white ash wood with leather webbing.

Fast forward to today where snowshoes are made by companies such as Redfeather Snowshoe Company of Lacrosse, Wisconsin and wood has been replaced by lightweight aluminum. The Redfeather Snowshoe Company was founded by a triathlete that wanted a way to continue his training during the winter. We may not all be in training for a triathlon, but we all can stay active during winter with a pair of inexpensive snowshoes.

So we know that the low impact aerobic exercise that snowshoes give us is a good way to stay in shape this winter. And with today’s inexpensive aluminum models, and winter clothes you already own, this is a winter sport that will not drain your wallet. The only question left is, "Is it hard to learn how to snowshoe”? Experts, and even novices that snowshoe, say that it is much easier to learn than the other winter sports of snowboarding or skiing. Anybody that has spent time on snowshoes before will tell you that if you can walk you can learn to snowshoe.

Before you venture out, remember that you should treat your snowshoe hike just like a normal mid summer hike. With just a few minor modifications the ten essentials of hiking still apply. You should dress the same way you would dress for any other winter outdoor activity. Layer properly; wear a hat and gloves to avoid heat loss and a good pair of wool socks in your winter boots and you should have no problem staying warm. Staying hydrated during winter is just as important as it is on a hot summer day. During cold weather, insulate your water bottle to keep it from freezing. Or better yet, fill a Double-Wall Insulated HydroFlask with your favorite hot drink. It will stay hot for 12 hours and you will stay hydrated and warm. When you venture outside, be aware of winter hazards such as rocks or other objects under the snow, thin ice and rapid weather changes. If you are going into the backcountry where avalanches are an issue, get the latest reports and warnings before you go.

Now let’s get started. Your local Mast General Store will help you chose the size snowshoe that is best for you. Now you are ready to head to your backyard or local area park to learn the basics of your new snowshoes. You will want to learn how to get in and out of the bindings and how to walk with a slightly wider stance than normal. Some people find that the same Leki Trekking Poles they use on a summer hike will also assist them on a snowshoe hike. A simple method to remember when going uphill or downhill, on your snowshoes, is to keep the crampons, or cleats, in contact with the snow on each step. Since most recreational snowshoes have crampons under the ball of your foot, walk with your weight on that part of the snowshoe. Before long you will be as comfortable on your snowshoes as you are in your hiking boots.

Now that you have the backyard or park mastered, it is time to hit the trail. Try your favorite hike or explore new areas. All you need is 4 inches of snow, your normal warm winter clothes, and a desire to try something new. Visit your local Mast General Store for the right snowshoes, winter clothes and all the gear need to Take It Outside and enjoy winter.

Need some ideas on where to go with your new snowshoes? The website ExploreBooneArea.com has all the places to play in the snow in the High Country of North Carolina.?