Here are my Notes:
Basic Snowshoeing 2016
To earn the valuable Mountaineer Badge you have to
Go on and Easy+ Trip
Do one Conservation Activity (Check with Kathryn Fox and Elwha stuff)
Snowshoes: Types and Characteristics
Historical interlude: 6,000 years ago in central Asia, the snowshoe was born.
(Image of Historical Snowshoe and modern Snowshoe)
(Oddly enough, this image is property of Subaru at http://drive2.subaru.com/Win11/_images/snowshoe_diagram.jpg)
To deal with Sliding, you have crampons. A lot of snowshoes have aluminum frames with a deck that is neoprene or plastic. Be careful with certain kinds of plastic decks, the plastic can sometimes be brittle. Snowshoe length has an Optimal size for weight.
(This image is from Sierra Trading Post- http://www.sierratradingpost.com/lp2/snowshoe-guide/)
Since this figure includes the weight of a pack, I'd guess that I'd be a 30". Apparently since the northwest has cascade cement snow and the terrain is not flat, the instructor recommends smaller snowshoes for more control. He recommends a 25" for hiking in the Northwest.
Apparently, you can rent Snowshoes at Sports Authority for $10. That is what I am going to do,
Instructor recommends buying the snowshoes and poles. He says you can get a good deal for both, that will cost around $80. I'm still going to buy.
Crampons are very important, and it is very important that you avoid cupped crampons like the plague.
Before going out, make a check list of items that you need.
Clothing: Base Layer, Puffy Jacket, Nylon Pants, Rain Pants with zip on Side.
Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Wool Socks and Gaters
Need to Desperately look at Pack and Clothing items
Boots- Hiking Boots - Keeping the ones that I have
When packing, be prepared for emergency camping outside.Have a pad for sitting and space blanket/ Bivy. Have spare socks and Spare plastic Bags.
For day pack, try to get a 40-45 liter pack.
Poles? You got poles, check if you can put some snow baskets on it. Too late to return my poles and too expensive to get new ones- gotta work with what I got.
Fuck being unprepared! Mt Si sucked with snow, but I want to go again. This time, I want to have the proper equipment. (I just had the image of a maxi pad commercial doing pan shots of women's butts hiking up mountains. "For maximum terrain, for maximum coverage, pick maxi pads --stupid commercials infecting my brain)
Snowshoeing Travel Techniques
uphill
step-kicking
traversing slopes
downhill travel (my problem child)
plunge stepping
The complicated art of turning
Basic Avalanche Info & Weather Reports
Danger Zone: High Pressure and Clockwise Wind
NWAC- Northwest Avalanche Center is a good resource
Consider taking a Avalanche Awareness Course - Mountaineers has a course/Rei
watch for pinwheels and roller balls
3 things needed to make an avalanche
unstable snow
35 degree and above slope
a trigger (humans, weather)
cool device- protractor for hiking poles
Make sure to print out Booklet
Even for Day Trips, make lists and weigh stuff out
Focus a little more on gear maintenance
My personal Mountaineers Motto " We All Make Bad Decisions, it's part of life. "
Easy 0-500ft elevation gain 6mi
Easy+ 500-2000ft Elevation Gain 10mi
23rd Field Trip - Also watch out, a moonlight trip may be coming up.
23rd Jan 7:30am - Bring all Gear and Plan to be Wet
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