Snowshoeing- Beauty & broken boot

[lph]

If it's the sole that's broken and the rest of the boot isn't too worn, you can get the boot re-soled with good results. I had a backcountry ski boot break like that once, probably in transit from rough handling and packing, and it was like new once I got a new sole on it. Well worth it on an expensive boot.

[Crankin]

All the reasons you listed are why I wear hiking boots. They have winter insulation, stiff sole, and the snow shoe strap fits snugly around the heel. I often say that I will have these boots until I die!
But, I understand how frustrated you must have been. I'd be really upset if my vacation was ruined. I've never had equipment failure, only forgetting clothing. Once, I forgot my jacket for x country skiing, so I layered up and wore my Shak as an outer layer at about 5 degrees F. It worked. I was not going to buy another jacket.

[eofelis]

I use my regular Lowa hiking boots for snowshoeing also. I've been snowshoeing a couple of times in the past week or so.


This was in xmas day at Powderhorn Resort on the slopes of the Grand Mesa.

Yesterday we went up to the top of the Grand Mesa (10,000+ft) and did some more snowshoeing. It was snowing moderately the whole time we were there. It was like being in a snowglobe.

Temps were in the 20s for both trips.

I did a snowshoe hut trip several years ago with a group of folks. We snowshoed in to one of the 10th Division Huts near Aspen. I borrowed a set of MSR Denali snowshoes for the trip, used the Lowa hiking boots. It was 6 miles in (uphill) on mostly packed snow trails. The next day we did a 6 mile snowshoe hike just out and around the area of the hut. Then it snowed a foot overnight so we packed out in fresh snow. I did about 18 miles total for the whole trip. My feet never got cold.

I really liked the MSR snowshoes but wasn't sure I'd go snowshoeing enough if I bought some. So I hesitated for a long time. A couple months ago we went to our local REI Garage Sale (as we always do). At this one they were selling off all of last years rental snowshoes, all MSR Denalis. $19.99/pr. They were well used, but still perfectly serviceable. I grabbed two pairs (one for bf), and two sets of short tails ($4/pr) and two sets of long tails ($6/pr). For $30 each my bf and I are set up to go snowshoeing.

[shootingstar]

Looks lovely, eofelis! Sounds like wonderful weather at that height. And when it snows in the mtns., it is always wonderful....and with other snowshoers nearby and not get lost since one can't see too far ahead.

For others, for us at 2,000 metres high ..that's 6,500+ ft.

Some of our trips: http://cyclewriteblog.wordpress.com/?s=snowshoeing in other years.

I caved in and bought a new pr. of boots for $100.00 --deeply discounted. My broken boot was across broken across the top not at the sole..a very different, more complex and expensive repair.
I have MSR evo snowshoes....which were bought 10 yrs. ago and used every year, several times since then. Now snowshoe choices are abundant and a bit cheaper. But my snowshoes have paid off themselves instead of renting.

If given a choice now, I would buy a slightly slimmer model towards tail-end of snowshoe.

[goldfinch]

The picture you posted is lovely. It has been five years now since I abandoned winter. I do miss skiing and snowshoeing but not enough to return to winter day in and day out. I used to wear mukluks for hiking and snowshoeing in winter and liked them about best, but maybe there are better options now.

[Crankin]

I have been very happy with my Atlas women's snow shoes. They are narrower than DH's, and shorter. Snow shoeing is something I am more apt to do right out my door (though not the kind of snow shoeing you did on your trip, Shooting Star), hence, I did not want to have to rent them. And, I like having them when we do x country ski trips. At times, we ski in the morning and snow shoe in the afternoon, and other times, the lack of snow at nordic ski places has forced us to go into the forest and do some challenging snow shoes.