How To Prepare for a Snowshoeing Adventure
Snowy winter hikes are the best! Not only is the snow beautiful, it also covers up obstacles that make some areas impassible, or at least unpleasant, during the summer: Mud, bushes and the like. Think of deep snow as a license to wander anywhere you like, as long as you have snowshoes to keep you from getting mired down.
Even if you've never snowshoed before, getting started is really easy -- and a good pair of snowshoes will last for years, so the rest of your outings are essentially free. Here's how to get ready for your first snowshoeing adventure:
The Right Clothes
Since you're going to be walking around, and maybe even sweating a little bit, out in the cold, don't wear anything made of cotton. Yes, that includes your underwear! Dress in layers of wool, polyester or other wicking synthetics, and top it all off with a weatherproof/breathable jacket and (depending on the weather) ski or snow pants.
Gear Up!
Weigh yourself in full winter layers and boots, plus a full backpack if you plan to carry one while on snowshoes. The weight range for each pair of snowshoes is printed right on the tag; if your "loaded down" weight is toward the high end of a snowshoe range or if you expect to do a lot of walking in dry, fluffy powder snow, go up one size.
Double-check that the bindings fit your favorite winter boots and, unless you're going to be snowshoeing around on flat land forever, look for snowshoes that have metal cleats on the bottom for extra traction on hills and hard-packed snow. If you're not sold enough to invest in a pair of snowshoes yet, rent a pair from local retailers or a local university's outdoor program. (In most cases, you don't have to be a student to rent gear.)
Trekking poles (or ski poles) aren't strictly necessary, but can be a great balance aid when you first start out. And finally, consider carrying a headlamp just in case you end up staying out after dark.
Your First Steps
Don't head too far afield at first -- any flat field will do, or you can snowshoe in the soft shoulder alongside your favorite footpath or ski trail. (Never, ever step in groomed ski tracks in your snowshoes.) Walk naturally, with your feet spread just far enough so you don't step on one snowshoe with the other, and focus on keeping the front tips of your snowshoes above the snow with every step.
Once you've mastered walking on flat ground, try going up a small hill. If the snow is packed down, you may need to stomp down to get the cleats on the bottom of the snow to grab in. On the way down in soft snow, you can sit back on the tails of your snowshoes and "ski" them down small slopes, or try standing sideways to the slope and digging the edges of your snowshoes into the soft snow, then sidestepping down.
A Note on Avalanche Hazard
Guess what -- if you're snowshoeing, it's really easy to get out into an avalanche hazard area without realizing what you're getting into until it's too late. Even very small gullies and slopes can still hurt or kill you when conditions are just wrong. So if you're departing the wide-open flats or snowshoeing at the foot of the mountains, do yourself a favor and educate yourself about the basics of avalanche hazard.
I recommend picking up the book "Snow Sense" by Jill Fredston and Doug Fesler, or use online tools like this tutorial to savvy up.
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How to dress for a winter hike
http://hiking.about.com/od/Hiking-Clothing/tp/Dressing-For-A-Winter-Hike-Basic-Layering.htm
6 reasons to try winter hiking
http://hiking.about.com/od/Hiking-in-Winter/tp/6-Reasons-to-Try-Winter-Hiking.htm
Tricks for keeping warm on a winter hike
http://hiking.about.com/od/weather-for-hikers/qt/Tips-For-Keeping-Warm-On-A-Winter-Hike.htm
Article written by Lisa Maloney
Lisa Maloney is the Hiking Expert at About.com