Anybody tried snow shoeing?

Much tougher! I can walk and run for miles but depending on the depth of the snow I can get worn out pretty quickly on a hike. I live in Manitoba and our snow is not deep enough yet but it will come...

I know you didn’t ask but a few thoughts...
-buy snowshoes that fit your weight or are towards a higher- never lower- weight range.
-poles are awesome if the snow you are in is deep and you have a chance of falling down or needing help getting up after making snow angels.
-pay attention to the direction of the wind and dress/pack appropriately. I get really sweaty when I hike and have to be aware of the temp and the wind. If I turn around into the wind I can risk frostbite or cooling off too quickly. Lots of thin layers to remove and add are the best. Think merino, fleece, then a windbreaker, possibly down vest as top layer, fleecy tights with a wind resistant pair on top, earband/touque/scarf combo, etc.
-you will still get thirsty, even though it is cold outside.
-if you are on deep snow and fall through the top crust to find fine powder underneath it can be very difficult to get back on top. Log rolling to an area with less depth looks rediculous but is far easier than slogging thorough hip deep snow while wearing snowshoes or trying to remove your snowshoes.

Have fun!!

The downside to slowshoes is they're heavy, and big. They force you to walk at an unnaturally wide gait, and a pound on your feet is like ten on your back. So they exhaust you more quickly than regular walking.

The upside is they let you go where regular walking can't take you. Winter is gorgeous, in a very austere kind of way, and it's much nicer to be out among the snow-covered trees than inside eating Dorritos.

Some things to please be aware of: The cold, duh. Moving will keep you warm, but you'll get very cold when you stop. Especially if you work up a sweat, so try not to. And, because of the cold and the short days, make damn sure you don't get lost. In wind, and sometimes at random, a tree limb will drop all the snow and ice it's been holding, try not to get hit.

Tree wells can be very dangerous:



Snow bridges can also be dangerous. You can avoid most of them if you have a map by not crossing over streams, which tend to melt the snow from below. They'll be more of a problem in the spring.

Avalanches are rare in New England, but, still, be aware of what's above you.

I enjoy snowshoeing - have only done it a few times though. If you have an REI near you they do classes on it. I know at one of the parks here in WA they do a ranger led show shoe for beginners - might want to see if anywhere near you offers that. I just went with some other people who had been a few times before to a popular show shoe area.

I did it a little last Winter. We haven’t gotten much snow for a couple years, though. I tried my snowshoes on a flat trail and it was great. It was a workout, for sure. I got very warm after I got going. It does force you to have a wide stride and I really felt it the next day. Awesome calorie burn. I’m looking forward to getting out there this year if we get some snow.

I second the motion to rent first and try them. I love cross country skiing but, I went snow shoeing just once. Hated it. It's a very unnatural gait you have to use... I walked about twenty steps and I was exhausted. So count me in the "never again" category. Hopefully you will enjoy it more than I did.

NorthCascades wrote: »

Ready2Rock206 wrote: »

I enjoy snowshoeing - have only done it a few times though. If you have an REI near you they do classes on it. I know at one of the parks here in WA they do a ranger led show shoe for beginners - might want to see if anywhere near you offers that. I just went with some other people who had been a few times before to a popular show shoe area.

Paradise, at Mount Rainier. They even lend you the snowshoes. Great way to try it and see if you like it.

Also at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.

lorrpb wrote: »

Modern snow shoes are very light and not as cumbersome as the old ones. Their purpose is to float you on top of deep snow. They are useless on shallow snow.

They are also a lot narrower than the old ones.

I live in New Brunswick and snowshoeing is very enjoyable. There is a lot of places that groomed trails so you can go on packed snow. Nice to get out in the woods on a winter day.
It is more work than regular walking but not too difficult. I do like using polls.
You might try googling your area to see if they have groomed trails.

ME I GO EVERY SINGLE DAY!! LOVE IT!! SO Fun and if your good at it, start running in them and do hills!, such a high burn!

NorthCascades wrote: »

Avalanches are rare in New England, but, still, be aware of what's above you.

You might be surprised, but avalanches happen all the time in the White Mountains. A couple trails are closed almost all winter due to avalanche risk. But they are very localized.

Every winter since I was 7 or 8 years old. I'm fortunate enough to live a few hundred metres from recreational paths that go along the Ottawa River. It's definitely more of an exertion than walking, especially if you're breaking trail but it's a great way to get out and enjoy winter.

scorpio516 wrote: »

NorthCascades wrote: »

Avalanches are rare in New England, but, still, be aware of what's above you.

You might be surprised, but avalanches happen all the time in the White Mountains. A couple trails are closed almost all winter due to avalanche risk. But they are very localized.

Your right, I'm surprised. Thanks for the correction.

I grew up in Connecticut and never heard of them happening locally. And I've only ever seen one mention of avalanche back east in the ANAM.

We have a website (nwac.us) that does avalanche forecasting. You can look up the area you're going and see how much potential there is for a slide at different elevation bands and aspects. Is there anything like that for you?

cwolfman13 wrote: »

I've tried it, but it's not really my cup 'o tea. I do enjoy cross country skiing though.

That too! OP why not both!

If your snowshoes have risers beneath your heel, use those when you go uphill, they help a lot.

One thing that can really make it a better day is to have a dry pair of shoes and socks in the car. Snow will accumulate on to of your shoes and as it melts some will seep in.

Drink hot liquids! Bring a thermos with coffee or hot chocolate, drink some right before you get out of the car into the cold. You can bring a backpacking stove and boil water in the woods, too, although it's kind of a pain.