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How to Snowshoe Up and Down Hills
When traversing steep hills in deep snow, apply these basic techniques to get you there safely.
Photo by Pete Sucheski
The saying goes that if you can walk, then you can snowshoe. Maybe, but it would be wrongheaded to simply strap a pair on and hit the backcountry. “You're basically tying these big tennis rackets to your feet,” says former Mount Rainier chief climbing ranger Mike Gauthier. “It's not as intuitive as one might think." Here's Gauthier's advice for traversing a steep hill in deep snow.
The Climb
1. To use the step-kick method, drive your toe straight into the slope, engaging the front crampons (metal teeth), and press down to establish a firm platform. Maintain a wide stance to avoid snagging your pant legs on a crampon.
The Descent
2. Leaning back slightly, dig your heel in first. Concentrating weight on the rear crampons will let you stop gradually. If you're going to fall, it's better to fall backward. When descending any hill, watch out for the tail of the shoe catching your pack (picture someone grabbing your heel as you're going downstairs).
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Comments (5)
I love my MSR snow shoes. I would not buy any other brand.
I live in new england were we on average get about 3-4ft of snow every year and you can not get around in the woods without snowshoes. This aricle is full of great info.
I live in new england were we on average get about 3-4ft of snow every year and you can not get around in the woods without snowshoes. This article is full of great info.
Good info, I've been snowshoing in colorado for years, best way to get around in the deep stuff.
considering that this article appears to be for 'beginners' who don't know about snow shoeing, I'll inform the virgins that snow shoeing is not technically difficult to do, but holy crapola it will wear you OUT.
Go slow. You can burn 800 to 1000+ calories shoeing up a hill and your heartrate can really climb. Be careful to NOT over exert. Also, dress so you are slightly cool to cold when you start, and wear clothes that let the sweat evaporate, or you'll be a wet, sweaty mess in about 30 minutes.
Next, zig zag up the hills, it's much easier than trying the hero route straight up fighting to lift a shoe covered in 8 inches of snow.
I personally prefer to use telemark skis with skins. They slide through the snow so you don't lift the weight of the snow, and when you reach the top of the hill, you rip the skins off and swoosh down the hill silently and 'easily' (even going downhill, telemarking burns energy, but it's much easier than showshoeing).
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I love my MSR snow shoes. I would not buy any other brand.
I live in new england were we on average get about 3-4ft of snow every year and you can not get around in the woods without snowshoes. This aricle is full of great info.
I live in new england were we on average get about 3-4ft of snow every year and you can not get around in the woods without snowshoes. This article is full of great info.
Good info, I've been snowshoing in colorado for years, best way to get around in the deep stuff.
considering that this article appears to be for 'beginners' who don't know about snow shoeing, I'll inform the virgins that snow shoeing is not technically difficult to do, but holy crapola it will wear you OUT.
Go slow. You can burn 800 to 1000+ calories shoeing up a hill and your heartrate can really climb. Be careful to NOT over exert. Also, dress so you are slightly cool to cold when you start, and wear clothes that let the sweat evaporate, or you'll be a wet, sweaty mess in about 30 minutes.
Next, zig zag up the hills, it's much easier than trying the hero route straight up fighting to lift a shoe covered in 8 inches of snow.
I personally prefer to use telemark skis with skins. They slide through the snow so you don't lift the weight of the snow, and when you reach the top of the hill, you rip the skins off and swoosh down the hill silently and 'easily' (even going downhill, telemarking burns energy, but it's much easier than showshoeing).
Post a Comment