14 degree snowshoe hike today

[Guy M]

Two friends and my dog accompanied me on today's snowshoe hike into the Cascades. It was a mite nippy at 14 degrees where we parked, but partly cloudy, and some nice sunshine time to time. We've been getting hammered with snowstorms for the past week. The snow was deep, fluffy, and just plain nice!

I was armed with my trusty 45 1911, carried emergency supplies in my pack. Used my small MSR snowshoes. ALMOST went back to my big old 10x56" wood & rawhide snowshoes, but I really like these light, small shoes. There were a couple of points today when the fresh snow would have been better handled by the big old snowshoes, but for the most part the new, lightweight, little shoes performed well.

One of my buddies caught me striking a pose and not smiling. Why I wasn't smiling in the face of such natural beauty, I don't know. It was gorgeous in the late morning sun.

Ya, despite my efforts, it appears that I may have put on (may?) some weight over the winter. Sigh... I figure if I hike year 'round, getting into hunting shape by September/October isn't as tough.

The Cascades!

Clark the German Wirehaired Pointer:

That dog loves his hikes, especially the snowy hikes!

We ran across squirrel, mouse, bunny, deer and coyote tracks, and some that looked like bobcat to me, but I wasn't sure. Clark was doing a LOT of air-scenting before and after we came across the deer tracks, which appeared to be being followed by coyote tracks... He knew what was going on and wanted to follow, but listened to my commands of "No bird. Leave it." He's a good boy. Though he's 65 pounds and strong, he's also 10 years old and a mere domestic dog. I don't think he'd have a chance against a couple of coyotes.

Let alone a cougar!

Good hike. Guy

 

[Mike 338]

Terrific pictures. My experience with snowshoeing is finding a place to park the vehicle. I picked up a couple pair of traditional snowshoes, mostly because of the improved flotation. Haven't had a chance to use them yet this year but as of this week, that's all changed.

 

[Guy M]

One of the things I love about snowshoe hiking is that I started when I was 16 or 17, and now at 62 years of age, I still enjoy it.

Ya, I still have my first pair of snowshoes, purchased used at a surplus store in the 1970's. Wood frame, rawhide lacing, 10x56" - I've refinished them and repaired them quite a few times over the years. ALMOST used them today since we've had so much snow recently. Those big old shoes do provide a lot of flotation.

The new little MSR's though, are the best danged snowshoes I've ever used! Light, maneuverable, the bindings are terrific, the traction is amazing... I'm not sorry that I used them today, though more flotation would have been a plus. Great snowshoes!

I need to get out on my old shoes again this winter. Used 'em last winter, and I really enjoy using those big old things!

Regards, Guy

 

[Mike 338]

Interesting about those snowshoes. I noticed MSR has some different models. Which ones were you using?

 

[Guy M]

Interesting about those snowshoes. I noticed MSR has some different models. Which ones were you using?

Mine are the "Revo Explore" model, 22" length. They've proven to be a good shoe, I'm trying to remember if this is my 2nd or 3rd winter on them... Lots of miles of hiking either way. Extremely easy to put on, or remove. Lightweight. Apparently quite sturdy. Amazing traction!

About the only downfall is something they share with other modern, small snowshoes - kinda too small for a bigger guy, particularly carrying a load, on soft snow. But... MSR thought of that and offers a 5" tail extension, making the snowshoe bigger, for more flotation.

Ya, I am very pleased with these MSR's and highly recommend them. Been snowshoeing for over 40 years and these things are the best type of snowshoe I've ever used.

Regards, Guy

 

[Kevin P McNeilly]

Beautiful country it's ashamed that most people overlook things like that.

 

[seattleman1969]

Two friends and my dog accompanied me on today's snowshoe hike into the Cascades. It was a mite nippy at 14 degrees where we parked, but partly cloudy, and some nice sunshine time to time. We've been getting hammered with snowstorms for the past week. The snow was deep, fluffy, and just plain nice!

I was armed with my trusty 45 1911, carried emergency supplies in my pack. Used my small MSR snowshoes. ALMOST went back to my big old 10x56" wood & rawhide snowshoes, but I really like these light, small shoes. There were a couple of points today when the fresh snow would have been better handled by the big old snowshoes, but for the most part the new, lightweight, little shoes performed well.

One of my buddies caught me striking a pose and not smiling. Why I wasn't smiling in the face of such natural beauty, I don't know. It was gorgeous in the late morning sun.

Ya, despite my efforts, it appears that I may have put on (may?) some weight over the winter. Sigh... I figure if I hike year 'round, getting into hunting shape by September/October isn't as tough.

The Cascades!

Clark the German Wirehaired Pointer:

That dog loves his hikes, especially the snowy hikes!

We ran across squirrel, mouse, bunny, deer and coyote tracks, and some that looked like bobcat to me, but I wasn't sure. Clark was doing a LOT of air-scenting before and after we came across the deer tracks, which appeared to be being followed by coyote tracks... He knew what was going on and wanted to follow, but listened to my commands of "No bird. Leave it." He's a good boy. Though he's 65 pounds and strong, he's also 10 years old and a mere domestic dog. I don't think he'd have a chance against a couple of coyotes.

Let alone a cougar!

Good hike. Guy

Beautiful pictures... the Cascades are stunning on blue bird winter days!

I think your dog would be fine against a coyote or bobcat. We raised shorthairs growing up and my brother currently has 3 shorthairs and 5 Great Pyrenees. The Pyrenees protect his livestock from coyotes and literally rip them to shreds, the shorthairs hold their own against the Pyrenees... that being said, better not to have to carry an injured dog back to the car on snowshoes!

 

[Mike 338]

Beautiful pictures... the Cascades are stunning on blue bird winter days!

I think your dog would be fine against a coyote or bobcat. We raised shorthairs growing up and my brother currently has 3 shorthairs and 5 Great Pyrenees. The Pyrenees protect his livestock from coyotes and literally rip them to shreds, the shorthairs hold their own against the Pyrenees... that being said, better not to have to carry an injured dog back to the car on snowshoes!

Ha ha, had to carry an injured German Sheppard out of the mountains once. It was very very rough. Note to self: never take a three-legged dog into the back country and if you do, make sure it's small!

 

[ofbandg]

I have both an old pair of 10 x 56 wood and rawhide and new pair (five years) of the more modern design, aluminum and fibre - with different length extensions. I used those old ones happily for years and found them superior in fluffy snow where no trails existed. Flotation and the rat tail were the good points. I, too, am a 200 plus pounder and I need big shoes and the long rat tail helps keep the shoes from twisting as you walk. The new styles are best in hard snow or when walking in timber. They turn easier and have good "claws" to keeps you from sliding. I'm glad to see you use ski poles. I have been using them for years as well and in the beginning I was teased because it wasn't traditional, now almost everyone uses them. The first snowshoes I ever used were issued by the army and they were fibreglass with (aluminum?) webbing and they were almost bear paw in width, were very heavy, and had almost no upsweep on the front so they scooped snow in and hung up as you walked in a straddle legged spread to keep from overlapping them. Going any distance carrying a heavy load in this manner was misery and it ruined a lot of guy's desire for future recreational snow shoeing. Fortunately I got curious when I saw a set of the long narrow snow shoes in a trapper supply store about forty years ago and tried them.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Nice going Guy! Thanks for the pictures and description.

 

[Litehiker]

Buy some Black Diamond Glidelite short skis with the Balata-type bindings for your hunting boots and use them as "sliding snowshoes". Some skiing skills help on downhills or use climbing skins all the time for max control up as well as down.

These are FAR easier to use than snowshoes. Believe me, as a former Nordic ski patroller and backcountry skier, my MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes are a PITA in deep snow compared to my short, fat Telemark skis with climbing skins.

P.S. I too am fighting "The Battle of the Bulge" ;o)

Eric B.

 

[Deleted member 107796]

As usual, great story! We were out snowshoeing last Sunday as well, at about 9500ft E of the divide in CO. We go for the snowshoe hares but I can't recall the last wabbit we got. Tons of tracks though... makes me want to be out just before dark. Of course, it's excellent exercise and the views are the best. I used to have a pair of old hide and wood shoes but the older leather bindings just sucked and always came loose. Maybe it's possible could refit these with a new style strap binding.

 

[Deleted member 107796]

Buy some Black Diamond Glidelite short skis with this Balata-type bindings for your hunting boots and use them as "sliding snowshoes". Some skiing skills help on downhills or use climbing skins all the time for max control up as well as down.

These are FAR easier to use than snowshoes. Believe me, as a former Nordic ski patroller and backcountry skier, my MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes are a PITA in deep snow compared to my short, fat Telemark skis with climbing skins.

P.S. I too am fighting "The Battle of the Bulge" ;o)

Eric B.

I love skating on my downhill skis. Can you cut these down and have the same effect and if so, what binding would you suggest? Thanks

 

[Litehiker]

Co Guy,
Your alpine ("downhill") skis are fine until you get very serious about backcountry travel.. Remove the old alpine bindings, fill the holes with epoxy resin and get balata type bindings. Not great turning control but you can walk/glide in them. The militaries of the world use them.

Look up "climbing skins". I like my G3 brand skins. You can walk right up steep hills with them. They are rearward facing mohair strips with special glue on the backing that allows them to stick on waxed skis yet can easily be peeled off. They have to be cut to length & width following included instructions.

Eric B.