Wild Bound

I have quite a few things planned over the next few weeks, and I want to give my readers a taste of what’s to come.

Right now, I am planning the first winter camping trip I have ever taken. This involves putting together gear lists and finding a place to go camping.

We will be testing new sleeping bags. I want to make sure these bags are warm enough before I take them out backpacking.

One of the major obstacles of winter camping right now is finding or making a cooking stove. Next week, I will be making and testing several different styles of home made cooking stoves. Hopefully I will find a style that works well enough to take out snowshoeing.

It will be a busy December here at Wild Bound. I hope you stick around to catch all the articles here. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, subscribe to Wild Bound in an RSS feed reader, or subscribe by email.

Photo: Todd Petit, used by permission CC-By

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This is part 5 of a 5 part series on buying snowshoes. For more information, make sure you check out parts 1-4 of the series.
If you enjoy this series Subscribe to Wild Bound so you don’t miss a single article.

Part 1:Snowshoeing Vocabulary

There is some specialized vocabulary in any sport and snowshoeing is no exception. Check out part 1 of this series to familiarize yourself with the jargon before heading out to the gear shop.

Part 2: Your Purpose

The thing you want to decide when you are buying snowshoes is what kind of snowshoeing you will be doing. There are four main styles of snowshoes: racing, recreation, hiking, and back country/mountaineering. You should select your snowshoes to fit your purpose.

Part 3: Snowshoe Shapes

Snowshoe tails come in three main shapes: pointed, rounded, and tear-dropped. Each of these shapes has its own benefits and drawbacks. You may want to test snowshoes with different shaped tails to see which shape you like best.

Part 4: Snowshoe Size and Your Weight

Snowshoes are not one-size-fits-all. You should buy the size that is designed for your weight (including clothes, gear, boots, pack, and anything else you will be carrying when you go out snowshoeing). The size guidelines are approximate, and you may need to use a size larger or a size smaller based on the local snow conditions. Your local gear shop would be the best place to determine your sizing needs.

That’s all for selecting snowshoes. At first glance it seems complicated and a bit overwhelming, but after some research, I am ready to face this with confidence. All I need now is some snow.

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Snowshoes come in a variety of sizes. Choosing the ideal size for you is based on your weight (including clothes, boots, pack, and gear). You want to purchase snowshoes that will float when you are carrying all the gear you will need. The added weight will be different if you are just planning on taking day hikes than if you are planning on doing back country camping trips.

If you will be snowshoeing in deep powder, you will need more float and should go up one weight category.

This size and weight chart shows the optimal conditions. Each of the sizes will work okay for 20 pounds above or below the recommended weight range.

Additionally, some women’s snowshoes are sized slightly different. I have merely included standard snowshoe sizes in this chart.

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When you think of snowshoeing, you probably imagine someone slogging through the snow with something that looks like wooden tennis rackets strapped to their feet.

Snowshoe designs have come a long way since then.

The basic shapes are rounded, pointed, and tapered (or tear-dropped). These shapes refer to the unique design of the snowshoe tail. Each shape has advantages and disadvantages.

Rounded tails provide maximum flotation and balance, but the wide tail causes awkwardness when you are walking. Rounded snowshoes are best for people who are heavy, or who will be carrying heavy loads.

Pointed snowshoes taper slightly at the back and allow for a more normal gait. The pointed design is not as effective at flotation and can be difficult to balance on. However, you are less likely to trip over your own snowshoes if you are wearing ones with a pointed toe.

Tear-drop shaped snowshoes are unique to Crescent Moon Snowshoes. These snowshoes have a long, skinny taper. The snowshoes are longer overall, but they provide good balance and float. These snowshoes might be a good option for females because they allow a narrower gait while providing float and stability.

While I am usually the kind of person who goes out and buys the gear right away (as opposed to renting stuff), the question of snowshoe shape may lead me to go rent various styles before I choose one to buy. Some stores that rent and sell snowshoes will allow you to rent a pair and then if you decide to buy that style you can apply your rental cost to the purchase price. It’s worth asking about anyways.

There are three basic shapes for snowshoes. The different shapes are designed to allow maneuverability, float, and stability. Each of the shapes have their advantages and drawbacks. Renting snowshoes is a good way to try out different shapes before you commit to a purchase.

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The first step in selecting a pair of snowshoes is determining what you will be using your snowshoes for.

Fill in the blank. “I plan on using my snowshoes for ___________.”

Right about now, you might be thinking, “I’m going to use them for Walking on the snow, DUH!”

There are four basic types of snowshoes:  racing, recreational, hiking, and mountaineering/back country. As the names for each type imply, they are used for different styles of snowshoeing.

• Racing-These snowshoes are used for running.  They have a sleek frame that is made from lightweight material.  This snowshoe is designed for running on packed snow or groomed trails.  The narrow size means you won’t float well on top of powdery snow.  Racing snowshoes usually have a special toe cleat for added traction while running
• Recreation–recreation snowshoes are used for gentle walking, like taking a winter walk in the park.  These snowshoes are ideal for flat to rolling terrain.  If you are just wanting to get outside this winter with no intentions to go on steep or icy terrain, recreation snowshoes are probably the best value for you.
• Hiking–For the backpacking enthusiast who wants to enjoy their sport year-round, you will be looking for a hiking snowshoe. These snowshoes are made a bit more ruggedly than the recreational snowshoes and are usually designed for better traction on slightly steeper terrain.
• Back country/Mountaineering–If you are planning on getting out in the back country, you want durable snowshoes that aren’t going to let you down when you are miles away from civilization.  Back country/mountaineering snowshoes usually weigh more than other models, but they are sturdy build and get good traction on a variety of challenging terrains.  Back country snowshoes have heavy duty bindings that are made to fit a bulky hiking boot.  These are more expensive, but necessary if you are planning on getting wild bound this winter.

Each of the four styles of snowshoes have been developed for a specific need.  While the styles may crossover for other purposes, you should buy look for a style that will best fit your needs.  You wouldn’t want to go on a back country camping trip with lightweight racing snowshoes.  Likewise, mountaineering snowshoes would be too bulky for regular running.

By knowing how you will be using your snowshoes most often, you will shop with a purpose and eliminate 3/4 of the snowshoe selection from your decision making process.

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This is the first in a series of articles on selecting and purchasing your first pair of snowshoes.

Every sport has its own vocabulary, and snowshoeing is not exception. Decking, lashing, binding, heel lifter? What are those? Crampon, frame? Let’s talk snowshoe vocabulary.

Frame: The frame of the snowshoe is usually made out of aluminum tubing or wood and creates the outer shape of the snowshoe.

Decking (Deck): The snowshoe deck is the flat part that stretches inside the frame. In the past, this was also known as webbing because it was made from rawhide woven together to create a web on the frame. The decking is usually made of urethane, or a similar cold-resistant, heavy duty plastic sheeting. One popular decking material is hypalon PVC tarpulin, the same material that is used for white water rafts.

Bindings (Lashings): The bindings are attached the snowshoe deck and securely strap your boots to the snowshoe. Good bindings are crucial to having a pleasant snowshoeing experience. The two main kinds of bindings are pivoting and spring loaded. We will talk more about the benefits and draw backs of each type of binding later in the series.

heel lifter: is a piece of metal or plastic that lifts off the snowshoe deck underneath your boot heel. This is mostly found on backcountry/mountaineering snowshoes and is used to reduce calf-muscle fatigue when you are tackling steep terrain.

crampons: are used for traction on the snow and ice. They are usually metal pieces that come to a point at end. These points dig into the ice and keep your snowshoes from sliding like skis. These are always helpful on snow, but are critical when trying to snowshoe on steep terrain. Crampons can also be purchased separately to be used with boots only (i.e. for walking on ice when you don’t need snowshoes).

Float: float refers to the amount of weight the snowshoes can handle.  This varies based on snow conditions.  You will need more float for powdery snow than you will for wet-packed snow.

There you go! A quick introduction into the basic vocabulary of snowshoeing. On to picking out your snowshoes

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With winter coming, this southern girl is starting to think that it’s a good time to snuggle up by a fire with a cup of hot cocoa and a book, but winter can be a great time to re-explore and re-discover those familiar summer trails. For anyone who enjoys hiking, snowshoeing seems like a great winter alternative, and it has often been said that anyone who can walk can snowshoe.

According to the American Hiking Association, Snowshoeing is a great cross-training, full body exercise that burns mega calories. In fact, snowshoeing at about 3 mph can burn up to 1,000 calories per hour (depending on weight, terrain, and type of snow). That will go a long way to burning off that extra winter weight from Christmas goodies and that extra cup of hot cocoa.

Over the next few weeks, I am will be writing about snowshoeing and getting started with this incredible winter activity.

photo used by permission _e.t CC by-sa

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About a week ago, I ordered two backpacks and two sleeping bags off of ebay. Late last night, I found a box on my front porch!

As soon as I opened the box and pulled out my new toys, my hunger was forgotten, and supper stayed in the fridge.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so here is two thousand:

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Almost two years ago, I moved to North Idaho with my husband.

Let me start out by saying that Idaho is not all farmland and potatoes. In fact, north Idaho has very little farmland and all that seems to grow around here is trees and mountains. And it is wonderful!

The state is a patchwork of national forests criss crossed with hiking trails and dirt roads. The people in north Idaho are enthusiastic about hiking, backpacking, camping, hunting and just generally getting outdoors.

I keep running into the same problem, over and over, that keeps me from getting outdoors the way that I want to.

I…

dont…

have…

money.

Things started to change in May. We bought a kayak, and almost prophetically I told my husband, “You know, this is the beginning of an addiction.”

The summer that followed was filled with adventures on water, and when it got too cold to keep on kayaking, I turned my attention towards camping. That backpacking dream came up again.

Here I am writing about pursuing my dreams and seeking out adventures.

Won’t you join me as we are wild bound.

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For two summers, I worked as a camp counselor at Camp Chattooga in Tallulah Falls, Georgia.

I had almost forgotten my backpacking dreams until I applied to work at Camp Chattooga. I read over the camp brochure and saw the Adventure program—caving, mountain climbing, rappelling, backpacking. Oh wow! That would be cool!

I didn’t have enough experience to qualify as an adventure leader, but the dream and the passion re-awoke.

For those two summers, I lived my dreams. At night, I would fall asleep out on the cabin porch listening to the bull frogs. For two summers my sleeping bag was my bed.

I taught campers how to catch bullfrogs with a flashlight and how to shoot a rifle. Wherever we went, we were singing at the top of our lungs.

Once a week we would take all the campers out for a camp out. I usually got the job of starting the fire for the cook out. Most of the campers had never experienced cooking hot dogs or roasting marshmallows over a campfire. The S’mores? Well you can imagine.

The most important thing I learned that second summer of working at Camp Chattooga is that I had to figure out a way to do that (live outdoors) for the rest of my life.

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