Closest decent snowshoe traning ground

[eternalX]

Heading down to Whitney in a couple weeks and I want to get in some decent snowshoe hikes beforehand. What's the closest place to Seattle that's tough and interesting in this fall of no snow? Thanks.

[JGowans]

I did Commonwealth Basin this time last year. Not sure just how much snow there is just now, but it's worth checking out. If you really want something tougher, you can continue on to Red Mountain. That's all close to Seattle.

[Dru]

I didnt think you needed to train to snowshoe just put em on your feet and go....

[bobinc]

Yes; I think it's like training for bowling.

[iain]

no it's like training for thumb screw torture. snowshoeing rots!

[JGowans]

I have a pair of ski shoes. They're made by a dude up in Whistler and they look like mini skis with skins on the bottom with snow shoe bindings. They rock. I get to climb up anything a snowshoer can and I can also slide down or across any traverse more quickly.

http://www.yupiskishoes.com/

[greenfork]

someone told me there was a 'dry shoeing' area at exit 38... maybe try there?

[Lambone]

 

Yuppi shoes look cool!

[vegetablebelay]

What boots are you using with those yuppi shoes?

[Toast]

Dude, slap soemthing to clamp the two together and you've got yourself a splitboard

[sketchfest]

I heard those yuppis are nice and work well, but they weight a ton!

[Lambone]

Leashless snowshoes, the wave of the future

[iain]

don't you understand? snowshoeing is supposed to be difficult and tiring, not this pansy yupi stuff, that's way too easy.

[Cpt.Caveman]

I've seen something of similar design at Marmot. They sure look funny. I'll flail on my skis instead.

[Dru]

Get Sisu Suomi (Scott Yupi) a pair

 

[ 11-25-2002, 04:05 PM: Message edited by: Dru ]

[David_Parker]

quote:

---

Originally posted by JGowans:

I have a pair of ski shoes. They're made by a dude up in Whistler and they look like mini skis with skins on the bottom with snow shoe bindings. They rock. I get to climb up anything a snowshoer can and I can also slide down or across any traverse more quickly.

http://www.yupiskishoes.com/

---

So do the skins come off? Seems like they'd make the descent pretty slow. Exactly how heavy are they??? Seems like a great ice climbing approach device..ie Chair Peak, Drury Falls, Murchisons Falls, Borgeau, and lots of other stuff in Canadeh!

[JGowans]

No, the skins don't come off. Also, I guess the way they're configured means that I climb pretty easily and grip well but slide down too. The only bad thing about going down is how hard it is to control turning since they don't really have any edges to speak of. Also, I think they only weigh something like 5 lbs. Not heavy at all. Although, I suppose that depends what you're comparing them to. I guess you can consider that weight training.

 

You can wear any boots you want...If I plan to snowboard, then I'll wear soft snowboard boots. If I'm just hiking, I'll wear my leather hiking boots. No problem. The strap is like a snowboard binding in the front (a ratcheting strap) with a click strap in the back like you have to close your back pack. I've had mine now for about 18 months and they're still going strong. I've used them in BC, Cascades and even Argentina. No problem.

 

[ 11-25-2002, 11:41 PM: Message edited by: JGowans ]

[Smoker]

quote:

---

Originally posted by JGowans:

.....The only bad thing about going down is how hard it is to control turning since they don't really have any edges to speak of.

---

 

I hate to be the first one to tell you this but,

 

NEVER go down with sharp edges!

 

it might help if you shave first too. Could keep the turning down to a minumum

 

[eternalX]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dru:

I didnt think you needed to train to snowshoe just put em on your feet and go....

---

Well, I guess I should've said conditioning. Working in thick snow with a heavy pack.

 

--tim