The Snowshoeing Thread

ozzy702

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy, UT
I'd like to get out and about sometime soon. I have a few pairs of snowshoes that my wife and I have used a handful of times. I'm a novice when it comes to winter outdoors stuff but would like to go snowshoeing and eventually do some overnighters. Wife is 8 months pregnant so I haven't been able to get out with her and most likely won't this season. I'm in poor shape physically so I may be a little slower than most but will push myself if needed, I need the exercise. I'll be watching this thread.
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I have trail running shoes for hiking, but for snowshoeing I'm rocking the Teva Riva eVent. You can find them for about $75 on amazon.

Low-top hikers probably aren't ideal for most people in the snow. You may need more ankle support than I, and you may get too much snow in a low-top. I can't do the covered ankles thing for some reason, it just doesn't work for me. I've been very very happy with my tevas (although this is the only model I like in the Tevas, the rest don't fit me well).
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I'd like to get out and about sometime soon. I have a few pairs of snowshoes that my wife and I have used a handful of times. I'm a novice when it comes to winter outdoors stuff but would like to go snowshoeing and eventually do some overnighters. Wife is 8 months pregnant so I haven't been able to get out with her and most likely won't this season. I'm in poor shape physically so I may be a little slower than most but will push myself if needed, I need the exercise. I'll be watching this thread.

Very cool, let's do it! I'm more interested in hanging out with others than pushing for the fastest time to the top of the mtn. I'm sure there are plenty of other people in your same situation. Even a short 45 min - 1 hr hike can be enough to motivate you to get out more. I just took my mom out for her first time, and she hasn't been exercising much in the past 6 months, and she loved it.
 

ozzy702

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy, UT
Very cool, let's do it! I'm more interested in hanging out with others than pushing for the fastest time to the top of the mtn. I'm sure there are plenty of other people in your same situation. Even a short 45 min - 1 hr hike can be enough to motivate you to get out more. I just took my mom out for her first time, and she hasn't been exercising much in the past 6 months, and she loved it.

I'm up for just about anything, it's more of an issue of finding time these days. I have a 15 month old son and as I mentioned a very pregnant wife so when I do adventures without them I often feel a bit guilty. I have a child carrier but with the current temps I'm not sure he would stay warm for very long even if he was bundled up since he would just be sitting.

I am thinking next Saturday I want to get out and about, I'll check with my wife and see how many hours I can devote. Anyone tried going up to lake blanche this year yet? We went last year and in the winter it's pretty much an all day trip but it is very beautiful and worth the effort. I actually wouldn't mind camping up there overnight some time although I'd have to take a look first to rule out avalanche concerns.
 
Fleece is not a softshell, although a softshell may be fleece-lined. Softshells are usually thicker than hardshell and feel kindof like thin neoprene, although I'm not sure what they are made of. The thickness gives them better insulating properties than a hardshell but they breathe much better than hardshell. They are pretty good at cutting wind and are water resistant, so they are great in a light snow or rain. If the wind kicks up or it starts snowing hard or raining or sleeting, you need a hardshell to keep you dry. In something like heavy sleet, softshell products will wet out pretty quickly. IMO, new products like eVent are blurring the lines between softshell and hardshell.

I was out XC skiing yesterday in the Uintahs. Temps were in the teens and I was wearing a thin base layer, a poly top, and softshell on top of that. I also have softshell pants that are perfect for these conditions. When we got to climbing a bit, that was even too much since the sun was out, so I stripped off the poly top. The previous night, it was lightly snowing, and a base layer, thin fleece, and softshell were perfect for me. Just like Steve said, you really need to try a bunch of things out and see what works for you. I personally generate quite a bit of heat under activity, but as soon as I stop, I cool down really quick, so in extreme conditions, I carry lots of layers. The worst is ice climbing when temps are below 0, where I need just a base layer and maybe a shell if it is wet while climbing. Then when belaying, I have to add fleece and a giant down jacket just to stay warm.

What a fantastic weekend it has been to get out! Couldn't ask for better conditions!
 

ozzy702

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy, UT
Troy, I haven't tries these before, bit with pit zips I think they could make an excellent mid layer.

http://www.golite.com/12-Days-of-Savings.aspx

Tempting... I'd be really interested in a light to mid weight fleece with pit zips since fleece breathes much better. Funny enough I'm usually too hot while hiking/snowshoeing in the winter. I learned quickly that even if it meant being a little cold it was better for me to dress light so that I don't get sweaty and then freeze later. Getting wet is horrible, thus the saying "Cotton kills" since it can absorb water at a rate many times greater than synthetics and wool.
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
They may have your size in the Lehi store. Their online inventory doesn't match their in-store inventory.

But your snowboarding jacket should be fine, no need to buy a midlayer before snowshoes.
 

Rock Taco

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy
Yeah I think your right. It has a removable liner as well so if I got too warm I could remove that. I think I am going to end up renting some snow shoes before I buy just to see what I like.
 

jentzschman

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy, Utah
A thought to keep in mind about gear is buy from REI. They have a 100% return policy. If you use it and don't like it for your needs, you can take it back and get your money back or credit for something different. I have used this policy a number of times until I have narrowed down the gear that works best for me.

It is all about trial and error, unfortunately. I have bought and exchanged/returned a number of pieces of clothing and gear until I find a happy medium. And on that note, it usually is, at least I am finding, a compromise in gear. Example: Soft shell jacket and pants vs a waterproof hard shells.

On another thought: For winter type outings, at least in my mind, it is never a bad idea to over pack. Last Tuesday when we went, I had a spare piece of clothing for every part of my body.

Always wear moisture wicking base layers close to the body, never cotton. What I have learned is if you sweat, you are wearing to many layers or a less desirable fabric type. You want your body to be slightly on the cold side, this way your are not producing sweat and this minimizes your chances of becoming hypothermic.

Here are some great resources:
Layering basics:
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/layering-basics.html

Base layer:
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/underwear.html

Insulated outerwear:
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/insulated-outerwear.html
 

Rock Taco

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy
REI is a great resource and it sounds like their return policy is great but I still have issue buying there because of their support of groups that want to limit my other hobby.
 

jentzschman

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy, Utah
REI is a great resource and it sounds like their return policy is great but I still have issue buying there because of their support of groups that want to limit my other hobby.

Has that be confirmed? I have tried to find info about rei on that but have been unable. I don't want to get away from the thread topic however.

Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk
 

Rock Taco

Well-Known Member
Location
Sandy
Has that be confirmed? I have tried to find info about rei on that but have been unable. I don't want to get away from the thread topic however.

Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk

This is from a few years ago and their policy's may have changed but this post seems pretty damning. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/land-use-issues/652428-rei-they-us-against-us.html#post7833391

I dont see anything in their list of ORGs they support that would make me think otherwise. http://www.rei.com/stewardship/community/non-profit-partnerships-and-grants.html
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I'm planning on spending new years up AF Canyon, snowshoeing and backpacking on the ridge trail (157). Thinking of starting at Pine Hollow and heading towards trail 41 to Tibble Fork. Who's in?
 

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
What avalanche gear are you guys carrying?

I usually, but not always, take a shovel, and a probe along with regular stuff like stove, water, food, etc.
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I was this close to buying a beacon and probe on Saturday, but then i realized that I never really venture into avalanche territory and I don't have any friends with beacons to find me anyway. :)

Most of the snowshoeing I do up AF Canyon doesn't cross any areas with avalanche danger, so i figured it was money that could be better spent elsewhere. If I did more snowshoeing in avalanche-prone areas, I'd definitely get a beacon (Mammut Barryvox Element) and probe (BCA 260).

I did get a little Black Diamond Deploy 3 shovel that I like because it's small and easy to fit in my pack. It's not super light, but none of those shovels are. I also make sure I have the 10 essentials with me, along with a full huge down puffy in case I need to spend the night unexpectedly. I should probably carry a tarp or some sort of shelter, but I'm almost never alone, so I'd be ok in most situations.
 

mesha

By endurance we conquer
Location
A.F.
I was this close to buying a beacon and probe on Saturday, but then i realized that I never really venture into avalanche territory and I don't have any friends with beacons to find me anyway. :)

Most of the snowshoeing I do up AF Canyon doesn't cross any areas with avalanche danger, so i figured it was money that could be better spent elsewhere. If I did more snowshoeing in avalanche-prone areas, I'd definitely get a beacon (Mammut Barryvox Element) and probe (BCA 260).

I did get a little Black Diamond Deploy 3 shovel that I like because it's small and easy to fit in my pack. It's not super light, but none of those shovels are. I also make sure I have the 10 essentials with me, along with a full huge down puffy in case I need to spend the night unexpectedly. I should probably carry a tarp or some sort of shelter, but I'm almost never alone, so I'd be ok in most situations.

beacons are nice. I don't have one yet either. I take a probe and like friends to have a probe. It gives me at least some chance of finding someone buried. Beacons work better, but unless the buried victim and the rescuers have them they don't help.

I was doing some beacon training a while back and the beacon cut the time of rescue down significantly. Probes were still needed to actually find the person.
 

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I started to rack up a huge bill with "just in case" gear, only to realize I don't travel in the backcountry where it would be beneficial. After a beacon, an avalung made sense, followed by a pack with inflatable wings, and before I know it, I'm at a $1000 ticket for gear that I wouldn't use.

I'll carry your probe while we're hiking, so I can at least find you. If i get buried, then just dig for 5 minutes then give up on me.
 
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