knelson Posted November 15, 2005 Posted November 15, 2005 (edited) No kidding! Ptarmigan (and Mt. Rainier in general) is exactly the kind of climb where skis would be vastly better than snowshoes. If you were to "carry over," the extra length of the skis extending above your pack would be little or no problem on the route and ski boots would be perfectly adequate for the climb. (I'm not so sure I'd carry over, though.) I'm with you Matt, why carry your skis up it and then not enjoy the spectacular ski descent??? Still "glowing", eh? Way to get it done. Personally, I like my knees so I don't ski. With that said, snowshoes rock. I can't believe it took me until 2001 to buy a pair of MSRs. Phhhhhh. I can do waaaaaaaay more things in them versus the "other" brands and squeeze waaaaaaaaay more mileage and misery in a 24-hour day than before! -kurt (edit for the accidental ) Edited November 15, 2005 by knelson Quote
korup Posted November 16, 2005 Posted November 16, 2005 (edited) I think you can design a scenario (trees, rocks, etc) when snowshoes are better, but 95% of the time, it is no contest. Snowshoes are clunky and ineffecient. How many of the folks advocating snowshoes have spent significant time on a good pair of BC skis? Arguing that shoeshoes are better/easier/faster than skinning is just funny.... Edited November 16, 2005 by korup Quote
gary_hehn Posted November 16, 2005 Posted November 16, 2005 Most often when I go snow shoeing just for fun I choose just what korup describes, a route where snowshoes are probably better. Following creeks is a blast, especially when coming down! But, be careful, there can be many terrain traps and you need to stay conscious of them. Quote
whoohoonickieclimbs Posted November 20, 2005 Posted November 20, 2005 Keg o' beer-x country-it would take me probably longer than 5 hours (less if I started the keg!) No pain! Quote
hubris Posted November 21, 2005 Posted November 21, 2005 I think you can design a scenario (trees, rocks, etc) when snowshoes are better, but 95% of the time, it is no contest. Snowshoes are clunky and ineffecient. How many of the folks advocating snowshoes have spent significant time on a good pair of BC skis? Arguing that shoeshoes are better/easier/faster than skinning is just funny.... Could not agree more!! Good post! I think the learning curve involved with BC skiing clouds the advantageous qualities at first. Quote
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