Cross training - does anyone snowshoe?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

When are you going to try your new shoes, Lisa??

1) I just ordered them 2 hours ago, and they won't get shipped out until tomorrow...
2) We haven't had any snow at ALL yet here in upstate NY! Temps still in the 30's and 40's. We're still biking! Weird. Last year we had abnormally small amounts of snow, hope to get some soon...(but not before my snowshoes get here!) A typical winter here we'll get quite a few 3" falls, a few 6-8"ers, and maybe a couple of 10-15" falls. Of course there's way more up in the nearby Berkshire mountains, if I wanted to drive up there to ski country...

Hey maybe you should call Atlas and ask them about your snow flip- they should know all about that and what to do. Are you sure you have the right style and the right size for the kind of snowshoeing you are doing? It can't hurt to call them, surely you'll learn something helpful- they might even suggest you exchange them for another style with them at no charge.
Or perhaps it was just a factor of the type of snow you had today.

Are you looking at ski gear for waterproof pants?- that might be a good place to find them...or snowboarding wear?

[Crankin]

I don't wear waterproof pants when i snow shoe or X country ski. I have a pair of wool Ibex pants that are water resistant and very warm. I wear them for the above activities and for cycling when it is 40 or less degrees. I fall a lot when skiing, and I've never been soaked through. You should look in the Athleta catalog for waterproof pants. They are having a big sale now on that stuff. Sierra Trading Post also has a lot of this stuff, too, but it's a search to look through their web site.
No snow here, another day of cycling... I think Al Gore is right!

[Aint Doody]

The "snow flip" phenomona is puzzling. I have a good friend I go with who ends up with a solid white rear from the waist to her heels. Not me, I'm not a flipper. Others flip only halfway up their legs. I'm quite slew-footed--maybe that's a good thing on snowshoes.

[Dianyla]

With feet like that, why would you even NEED snowshoes??
(JUST KIDDING!!!!)

Well, I used to just stamp about barefoot. But then I started noticing packs of Sasquatch hunters prowling around my favorite winter trails and realized I should probably at least pretend to use shoes.

This being outside in the winter business is all totally new to me. It's only possible because I finally figured out how to dress properly thanks to my cold weather biking. All my life I've avoided being outside in the winter, shivering miserably in bulky acrylic sweaters, heavy coats, and cheap boots. I also had some good winter wear advice from a pro-skiing girlfriend. She and my DH set me straight, and now I love being outside in the brisk cold.

I've often wondered what they would find if they (you know, those people, whoever they are anyway) did a study on winter depression and included information about people who have winter-specific hobbies and sports. Whereas before I used to sigh glumly when looking out the window on a gray rainy day, now I think to myself "yippee! mountain snow!"

[LBTC]

I'm quite slew-footed--maybe that's a good thing on snowshoes.

I had to look up slew-footed....from what I gather it's like the dance term for having good "turn-out". I have that. For years I've concentrated on trying to keep my toes pointing straight ahead as it seemed to help me avoid some hip pain I would experience....maybe I shouldn't try that so much!

Probably the next snowshoe day is on Saturday. I'll try some new moves then.

oh, yes, and both DH and I can feel those glute muscles that desperately, for both of us, need to work hard. YAY!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[cosc]

This thread came at just the right time as I was planning to buy some snowshoes. Lisa, I purchased some women's 25 Odyssey snowshoes too. We're supposed to have snow and freezing rain for a few days so I'm anxious to go play in the snow. A life-time 28 years ago my family rented cross-country skis to see if we liked it enough to purchase the equipement. My husband and 2 boys got their skis on first and I had my stuff on all of 3 minutes when I fell and broke my elbow. I now have completely put that out of my mind. After all I'm much wiser-cautious,and at 56 very young at heart. I'll keep you posted on my new endeavour.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey LBTC,
Are you by any chance using snowshoes that have the heel attached? Isn't the back part of the shoe supposed to remain relatively dropped down and sort of drag along the top of the snow as you lift your foot and bring it forward in the next step? Is your shoe pivoting from the ball of your foot? I would think if you have the heel part clamped on then it would more likely flip up when you walk and fling snow up on your backside. Some shoes come with a little heel bar that you can flip up to secure your heel when climbing thus saving your calves- perhaps you have that and are using it on flats when you shouldn't be? Just some thoughts...

This thread came at just the right time as I was planning to buy some snowshoes. Lisa, I purchased some women's 25 Odyssey snowshoes too. We're supposed to have snow and freezing rain for a few days so I'm anxious to go play in the snow. A life-time 28 years ago my family rented cross-country skis to see if we liked it enough to purchase the equipement. My husband and 2 boys got their skis on first and I had my stuff on all of 3 minutes when I fell and broke my elbow. I now have completely put that out of my mind. After all I'm much wiser-cautious,and at 56 very young at heart. I'll keep you posted on my new endeavour.

Wow Cosc, that's some story!! I'm 52 and this winter activity stuff is all new to me. I think snowshoeing is supposed to be WAY easier than x-country skiing, or certainly downhill skiing!! You might want to get some poles to feel extra secure...I did. The heavy duty crampons on these are very reassuring. We have lots of hills here and we tend to get packed snow with accumulations of ice underneath.
It's so cool that you got the very SAME exact shoes as I did!!! I love that. Did you get yours yet? Too bad we can't go shoeing together! (I assume you are far from me)

My snowshoes arrived today!!!! Woo-HOOO!
They fit wonderfully, and are SO well made, even DH was much impressed and he's a Tough Customer! I didn't have to be concerned about my big feet and big boots at all- the bindings are able to handle my absolute clunkiest biggest winter boots of all. They adjust in several directions, so they are readily adaptable to varied boots. The crampons are awesome. I am SO pleased. Now I have everything I need: snowshoes, poles, gaiters, and even a snowshoe carrying bag that zips closed and you can lash the poles to. Well, I need maybe one more thing though.....SNOW.
I can't wait to go tromping at the first 5" snowfall we get.

Heres another nice thing- this morning DH and I were having breakfast at the village cafe before heading out on our bike ride. We were making our ride plans on a map when a couple at the table next to us introduced themselves saying they love biking too. They live in a neighboring town and are similar age as us and they like to ride the same way we do- easy paced bike touring around the local countryside. She is a teacher at my old school and is still commuting to work in the cold on her bike. Then I mentioned I just bought snowshoes and it turns out they bought some last year and love to do that as well! So we exchanged info and will plan on doing some rides and shoeshing together hopefully soon. Bikes make good things happen.

[LBTC]

Hey LBTC,
Are you by any chance using snowshoes that have the heel attached? Isn't the back part of the shoe supposed to remain relatively dropped down and sort of drag along the top of the snow as you lift your foot and bring it forward in the next step? Is your shoe pivoting from the ball of your foot? I would think if you have the heel part clamped on then it would more likely flip up when you walk and fling snow up on your backside. Some shoes come with a little heel bar that you can flip up to secure your heel when climbing thus saving your calves- perhaps you have that and are using it on flats when you shouldn't be? Just some thoughts...

Mine do pivot, and the back floats free from my heel. And, not anticipating that we'll do any serious back country hill climbing, we bought ones without the heel risers....

I think I just walk funny! haha

Congrats on your new snowshoes! I hope the snow falls for you really really soon!

So we exchanged info and will plan on doing some rides and shoeshing together hopefully soon. Bikes make good things happen.

That is toooooo cool! Bikes do make good things happen! Look at all the friends we've all made here, too!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

That is toooooo cool! Bikes do make good things happen! Look at all the friends we've all made here, too!
Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

Yes, absolutely, and you know I really do have to thank YOU especially. I was sitting around here dreading the coming snows because it meant I wouldn't be able to bike anymore for several months. I was going to just go walking in the snow to try to keep in shape over the worst part of winter.

Then I saw this thread YOU started, and it got me inspired to try this snowshoeing thing. So THANK YOU, LBTC, and thank all you other women on this thread for your help and advice, you have got me off to a good start into something new and healthy to keep me out of Trouble when the snow falls!

[DebW]

Hey LBTC,
Are you by any chance using snowshoes that have the heel attached? Isn't the back part of the shoe supposed to remain relatively dropped down and sort of drag along the top of the snow as you lift your foot and bring it forward in the next step? Is your shoe pivoting from the ball of your foot? I would think if you have the heel part clamped on then it would more likely flip up when you walk and fling snow up on your backside. Some shoes come with a little heel bar that you can flip up to secure your heel when climbing thus saving your calves- perhaps you have that and are using it on flats when you shouldn't be? Just some thoughts...

You won't find snowshoes with attached heels, but some have spring-loaded bindings that flip snow. The old wooden shoes were all free pivot, so you actually drug rather than lifted the shoe as you stepped, and that helped it shed snow as well. The new ones are so light that lifting the whole shoe isn't a problem. MSR and maybe some Tubbs have free pivot bindings so they shouldn't flip snow on you. Atlas have spring-loaded bindings and do flip snow. The binding is mounted at about a 30 degree angle to the shoe but flexible enough to flatten when you step down. Therefore it springs back when you unweight and lifts off the snow at the back of the stride.

[LBTC]

Lisa, that is so cool! Thank you! With your enthusiasm, I just might get outside in the snow again today. Well, at the moment it is around -7 (20F), but the sun is shining. It may warm up quite a bit by the time we can go out. We have to buy the paint and get a coat on the walls of the kitchen first. The prime coat is done, time for the real colour All that said, at the moment I'd love to just lounge around bed all day, but I know that I'll feel like blech if I do! So, thank you for your enthusiasm!!

So, first things first - order the MEC Gore Tex pants; get the paint on the wall; find an alternate combination of pants, other than what I wore the other day, so that hopefully the snow will not soak through in no time at all....

And, DebW, darn it, those are exactly the snowshoes we got. They told us they were easier to use....didn't mention the snowflip issue at all. They were on sale, so they are not returnable. I sure hope the gore tex pants eliminate the problem!!
I'll keep ya posted.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[DebW]

And, DebW, darn it, those are exactly the snowshoes we got. They told us they were easier to use....didn't mention the snowflip issue at all. They were on sale, so they are not returnable. I sure hope the gore tex pants eliminate the problem!!
I'll keep ya posted.

Atlas are very well-made snowshoes, sturdy, easy to use, very good bindings. My dh has a pair. They just have the snowflip problem. You should be fine with goretex pants.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Deb, thank GOD you're here to calm all us newbie shoers down when we panic!

[tygab]

Hi all,

I've stayed out of the snowshoe thread for a while but it's something I've been doing for years. The problem is the last two winters we haven't had any snow - really. It just snowed (and stuck) for the first time this year, but still only about a 1/2 inch. Can't get out the shoes for that. I love snowshoeing and it became my primary winter event, even over alpine skiing (which is a lot of fun but requires travel and lots of $$ for lift tix).

Re: snow on the legs. Generally, it is not a problem (I mean being wet), unless you are shoeing in warmer temps where it is basically packing and melting already. I tend to see this in March for example. I have come back from some of these trips quite wet (I wear non waterproof boarding pants).

I have GV Snowshoes. They are made in Quebec & I got them from a local canoe maker who is a dealer for them. They are extremely well made. I had a different kind before which my hubby inherited (lucky guy), but I like these because they have awesome free pivot and can ratchet well onto my smallish feet. The model I have is pretty backcountry oriented, and I use them mostly on untracked snow, got some awesome Long Trail snowshoeing in two winters ago. The older shoes were more packed powder friendly but were a bit harder to secure on my feet.

There are lots of very good brands. If you can go to a demo center (usually XC ski areas rent or demo them) I would urge everyone to try some different kinds out before buying, it just gives you a much better sense of what you like and want in your own shoes.

[Aint Doody]

I still think the snow flip has to do with the way a person is put together & walks. My friend who gets covered in snow from her waist down has the exact same shoes that I have. I get no snow flip. As I said before, I'm slew-footed (I walk like a duck with out-turned feet.)