Snowshoeing

[LBTC]

Lisa! I'm so glad you finally got out there on the snowshoes and had some fun in the snow!! Those are pretty crazy temps though - we haven't been out in anything nearly that cold! You go, girl!

We don't sink much on the established trails we've been SSing on, except when there's some fresh snow on top...I"ve stepped off the trail once or twice and get knee deep in a second. I have no idea how deep the snow really is, but I bet it's several feet compacted below, and the trails have gotten lower than the sides every time we've been there...

Let us know how the woodlands are! And enjoy!!

Hugs and happy butterflies,
~T~

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa! I'm so glad you finally got out there on the snowshoes and had some fun in the snow!! Those are pretty crazy temps though - we haven't been out in anything nearly that cold! You go, girl!
~T~

T, if you only knew what a "winter wimp" I used to be!!
Well, now I have wisened up to proper types of cold weather layering, and it has made all the difference in the world. I used to freeze and shiver even though I was weighted down by huge heavy (cotton/acryllic) sweaters, cotton leggings under jeans, knitted mittens and bulky scarfs....all kinds of bulky heavy worthless stuff that didn't even keep me warm!
Since biking and reading up and listening to the wisdom of TE ladies, I have smartened up and switched to slim but warm layers of Underarmour, merino base layers top and bottom, glove liners, balaclavas, and waterproof/windproof biking layers, etc...all very lightweight and breathable but incredibly warm and cozy. So, it wasn't that I was "brave" or anything- I really wasn't even cold! -only my face, which was uncovered except for my balaclava-covered chin and forehead. Tomorrow should be easier because i doubt there will be that nasty sleet-snow blowing down like we had today.

Wish we could all snowshoe together with a snap of the fingers!

[DebW]

I got out for about 45 minutes of snowshoeing this morning. The snow crusted up overnight (must have rained), so I took out my wooden bearpaws (the newer MSRs are very noisy on crust). And just for Kit, a photo of the crampon on the bottom of one shoe. Actually, there is 1/2 a crampon on each shoe, attached with parachute cord (varnish the cord when you varnish the shoe and it will never come loose).

[anakiwa]

Went out this morning to try to pack down a path so my dog could get somewhere to go to the bathroom. (The snow is currently deeper than she is tall and she's not happy about it.) Even with the snowshoes on my feet I was still sinking in up to my knees! (I sure was glad I had them on, I can't imagine walking through all the snow without them right now.)

[annie]

I can't even imagine all the snow you NE'ers have!! We have just a nice amount here in IA. And we keep getting little bits at a time to keep it nice. I admire you all for going on about life as well as possible! And for getting out there and having FUN in the snow.

I tried out my new snowshoes this morning before work! Whoo-woo! They're great. Very easy on/off strap system. It was cold, about 7 F. Not sure what the windchill was, but not too windy and the sun was shining. Due to recent surgery, I'm not really supposed to out doing strenuous exercise, so I walked slowly and just took in the beauty of the day. I NEEDED to get outside. My body needs to take it easy but my spirit needs the outdoors! This was a good balance.

Annie

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Yay! So glad that some of us are getting our snowshoeing in now!!

I estimate we got around 16-18" snow here- nothing really when compared to the "other" upstate NY around the Great Lakes!
I went out again today, this time snowshoeing the woodland trail that is near my house. It goes all through the woods with slight hills and ends overlooking a little pond with a bench to rest on. Very nice! The whole trail is only about 1 3/4 miles round trip, but it was a pretty good workout with the deep snow and rolling terrain through the woods. I still find I don't seem to need my poles. It was the perfect quick hike, and I love that I only have to walk 2 blocks to where the trail starts- so no car use at all!
I will drive to other locations eventually to shoe when I want to go longer distance or want a change of pace.
Today was much nicer sunny cold 20degreeF weather, not freezing sleetsnow like yesterday.
When I finished the round trip trail, I created a seat for myself in a huge snowbank and took off my snowshoes and stowed them in my backpack, then I pulled on some Yak-Trax type crampons over my boots and hiked the 1/2 slushy mile to the village and had a yummy grilled cheese, then hiked home again.
Now back to work...

Happy shoeing, everyone!!
Annie, I thought of you with YOUR new Tubbs shoes, too!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

A good girlfriend of mine phoned this morning to see if i wanted to go snowshoeing.... Lucky lucky me!! So we drove to a nature preserve near here and we shoed for about an hour and a half across very deep snow and hilly windy fields with beautiful views of surrounding hills and farms and a huge pond. The snow blew across the surface of the fields like sand dunes as we walked. On the way back, our trail of 6" deep tracks was almost invisible already!

It was wonderful! A nice workout because we sank 4 to 6" with every step and the wind actually knocked us over a couple of times! It was about 20 degreesF but wind chill must have made it like 5 or so. COLD. We had FUN. I kept nice and warm with my just-right layering. Didn't need my poles at all. We then stopped into town for some great smoked mozzarella grillled cheese sandwiches and soup to warm up before going home. What a nice morning! (tomorrow I have to buckle down to some jobs piling up on my desk though )