 A pair of modern snowshoes Snowshoes, sometimes colloquially referred to as webs, are footwear for walking over snow. Snowshoes work by distributing the weight of the person over a larger area so that the person's foot doesn't sink completely into the snow, a quality called "flotation". Snowshoe can refer to Snowshoe, a type of footwear. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (486x621, 52 KB)Atlas brand snowshoes. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (486x621, 52 KB)Atlas brand snowshoes. ...
High-heeled shoe Footwear consists of garments worn on the feet. ...
Snow is a type of precipitation in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. ...
Traditional snowshoes have a hardwood frame with rawhide lacings. Some modern snowshoes are similar, but most are made of light metal while others are a single piece of plastic attached to the foot to spread the weight. In addition to distributing the weight, snowshoes are generally raised at the toe for maneuverability. They must not accumulate snow, hence the latticework, and require bindings to attach them to the feet. Rawhide is a hide or animal skin that has not been exposed to tanning and thus is much lighter in color than treated animal hides. ...
Mashrabiya screen on display in the British Museum Latticework is an ornamental framework consisting of a criss-crossed pattern of strips of building material, usually wood or metal but can be of any material. ...
While today they are mainly used for recreational purposes, primarily by hikers and runners who like to continue their hobby in wintertime, in the past they were essential tools for fur traders, trappers and anyone whose life or living depended on the ability to get around in areas of deep and frequent snowfall. Even today, snowshoes are necessary equipment for forest rangers and others who must be able to get around areas inaccessible to motorized vehicles when the snow is deep. Two hikers in the Mount Hood National Forest Eagle Creek hiking Hiking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. ...
For other uses, see Running (disambiguation). ...
To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...
A Park Ranger is a person hired to protect and guard parkland, forests (then called Forest Rangers), or other rural or wilderness areas. ...
Development of snowshoes
Traditional snowshoe maker, c. 1900-1930. Image File history File links Snow shoe maker, photograph taken between circa 1900 and circa 1930. ...
Image File history File links Snow shoe maker, photograph taken between circa 1900 and circa 1930. ...
Origins Before humanity built snowshoes, nature provided examples. Several animals, most notably the snowshoe hare, had evolved over the years with oversized feet enabling them to move more quickly through deep snow. Binomial name Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777 The Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus) is a species of hare found in North America. ...
This article is about evolution in biology. ...
The origin and age of snowshoes are not precisely known, although historians believe they were invented from 4,000 to 6,000 years ago, probably starting in Central Asia. Strabo wrote that the inhabitants of the Caucasus used to attach flat surfaces of leather under their feet and that the Armenians used round wooden surfaces instead. Map of Central Asia showing three sets of possible boundaries for the region Central Asia located as a region of the world Central Asia is a vast landlocked region of Asia. ...
The Greek geographer Strabo in a 16th century engraving. ...
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Caucasus Mountains. ...
Two groups of snowshoe pioneers diverged early on, setting patterns that can still be seen today. One group abandoned the snowshoe as it migrated north to what is now Scandinavia, eventually turning the design into the forerunners of the Nordic ski. The other went northeast, eventually crossing the Bering Strait into North America. For other uses, see Scandinavia (disambiguation). ...
Cross-Country trails are often less crowded than Alpine ski slopes. ...
Satellite photo of the Bering Strait Photo across the Bering Strait Nautical chart of the Bering Strait The Bering Strait (Russian: ) is a sea strait between Cape Dezhnev, Russia, the easternmost point (169°43 W) of the Asian continent and Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska, the westernmost point (168°05...
North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ...
North American indigenous peoples Here, their descendants developed the most advanced and diverse snowshoes prior to European exploration and colonization. Nearly every Native American tribe developed its own particular shape of shoe, the simplest and most primitive being those of the far north. The Inuit have two styles, one being triangular in shape and about 18 inches (45 cm) in length, and the other almost circular, both reflecting the need for high flotation in deep, loose and powdery snow. However, contrary to popular perception, they did not use their snowshoes much since they did most of their foot travel in winter over sea ice or on the tundra, where snow does not pile up deeply. Territories in the Americas colonized or claimed by a European great power in 1750. ...
Native Americans redirects here. ...
The red line indicates the 10°C isotherm in July, commonly used to define the Arctic region border Satellite image of the Arctic surface The Arctic is the region around the Earths North Pole, opposite the Antarctic region around the South Pole. ...
For other uses, see Inuit (disambiguation). ...
For other uses, see Tundra (disambiguation). ...
Southward the shoe becomes gradually narrower and longer, the largest being the hunting snow-shoe of the Cree, which is nearly 6 ft. long (more than 1.5 meters) and turned up at the toe. Even smaller models, developed most notably by the Iroquois, are narrower and shorter, reflecting the need for maneuverability in forested areas where wetter and shallower snow cover during winter made flotation less important. For other uses, see Cree (disambiguation). ...
For other uses, see Iroquois (disambiguation). ...
This article is about a community of trees. ...
The Plains Indians wore snowshoes on their wintertime buffalo hunts before horses were introduced. Despite their great diversity in form, snowshoes were, in fact, one of the few cultural elements common to all Native American tribes that lived where the winters were snowy. Original range of the Plains Indians The Plains Indians are the Indians who lived on the plains and rolling hills of the Great Plains of North America. ...
Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1758) Subspecies B. b. ...
Binomial name Equus caballus Linnaeus, 1758 The horse (Equus caballus, sometimes seen as a subspecies of the Wild Horse, Equus ferus caballus) is a large odd-toed ungulate mammal, one of ten modern species of the genus Equus. ...
Use by Europeans
 16th century depiction of Swedish traveller with horse Snowshoes were slowly adopted by Europeans in what became the United States and Canada, with the French voyageurs well in advance of British settlers. Superior French snowshoeing skill almost turned the French and Indian War, a conflict that saw two engagements named the Battle on Snowshoes, to their favor. Image File history File links Swedishnowshoe. ...
Image File history File links Swedishnowshoe. ...
The European peoples are the various nations and ethnic groups of Europe. ...
A coureur de bois was an individual who engaged in the fur trade without permission from the French authorities. ...
A family of Russian settlers in the Caucasus region, ca. ...
Combatants France First Nations allies: Algonquin Lenape Wyandot Ojibwa Ottawa Shawnee Great Britain American Colonies Iroquois Confederacy Strength 3,900 regulars 7,900 militia 2,200 natives (1759) 50,000 regulars and militia (1759) Casualties 3,000 killed, wounded or captured 10,040 killed, wounded or captured The French and...
The Battle on Snowshoes refers to two separate military engagements during the French and Indian War. ...
But the British were quick learners. The Oxford English Dictionary reports the term being used in English as early as 1674. Sixteen years later, after a French-Indian raiding party attacked a British settlement near what is today Schenectady, New York, the British took to their own snowshoes and pursued the attackers for almost 50 miles (90 km), ultimately recovering both people and goods taken by their attackers. The Oxford English Dictionary print set The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is a dictionary published by the Oxford University Press (OUP), and is the most successful dictionary of the English language, (not to be confused with the one-volume Oxford Dictionary of English, formerly New Oxford Dictionary of English, of...
Schenectady (IPA ) is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. ...
The "teardrop" snowshoes worn by lumberjacks are about 40 inches (1 m) long and broad in proportion, while the tracker's shoe is over 5 feet long (1.5 m) and very narrow. This form, the stereotypical snowshoe, resembles a tennis racquet, and indeed the French term is raquette de neige. For other uses, see Tennis (disambiguation). ...
Squash racquet and ball Racquetball racquet and ball A racquet (or racket) is a sports implement consisting of a handled frame with an open hoop across which a network of cord is stretched. ...
This form was copied by the Canadian snowshoe clubs of the late 18th century. Originally founded for military training purposes, they became the earliest recreational users of snowshoes. (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ...
The snowshoe clubs such as the Montreal Snowshoe club (1840) shortened the teardrop to about 40 inches long (110 cm) and 15 to 18 inches broad (about 40 to 45 cm), slightly turned up at the toe and terminating in a kind of tail behind. This is made very light for racing purposes, but much stouter for touring or hunting. The tail keeps the shoe straight while walking.
Ice cream plate circa 1877-1881 depicting a traditional snowshoe. The plate was owned by Rutherford B. Hayes. Another variant, the "bearpaw," ends in a curved heel instead of a tail. While many early enthusiasts found this more difficult to learn on, as they were thicker in the middle and rather cumbersome, they did have the advantage of being easier to pack and nimbler in tight spaces. Two forms of traditional bearpaw snowshoes developed; an eastern version used by "spruce gummers" consisting of an oval frame with wooden cross braces, and a western version with a rounded triangular frame and no wooden bracing. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (731x830, 116 KB) Photograph of ice cream plate in the Smithsonian depicting a snowshoe, part of the china used by Rutherford B. Hayes during his presidency. ...
Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (731x830, 116 KB) Photograph of ice cream plate in the Smithsonian depicting a snowshoe, part of the china used by Rutherford B. Hayes during his presidency. ...
Rutherford Birchard Hayes (October 4, 1822 – January 17, 1893) was an American politician, lawyer, military leader and the nineteenth President of the United States (1877–1881). ...
Traditional snowshoes are made of a single strip of some tough wood, usually white ash, curved round and fastened together at the ends and supported in the middle by a light cross-bar, the space within the frame thus made being filled with a close webbing of dressed caribou or neat's-hide strips, leaving a small opening just behind the cross-bar for the toe of the moccasined foot. They are fastened to the moccasin by leather thongs, sometimes by buckles. Such shoes are still made and sold by native peoples. Binomial name Fraxinus americana L. The White Ash (Fraxinus americana) is one of the largest of the ash genus Fraxinus, growing to 35 m tall. ...
Binomial name Rangifer tarandus The reindeer, known as caribou in North America, is an Arctic-dwelling deer (Rangifer tarandus). ...
The word moccasin was first introduced into English in 1612, from a Virginia Algonquian language, most likely Powhatan (makasin ‘shoe’), though similar words exist in Narragansett (mokussin), Micmac (m’kusun), and Ojibwa (makasin). ...
Modern leather-working tools Leather is a material created through the tanning of hides and skins of animals, primarily cattlehide. ...
Archeological bronze buckles from southern Sweden A buckle (from Latin buccula) is a clasp used for fastening two things together, such as the ends of a belt, or for retaining the end of a strap. ...
Modern snowshoes Outside of indigenous populations and some competitions such as Arctic Winter Games, very few of the old-fashioned snowshoes are actually used by enthusiasts anymore, although some value them for the artisanship involved in their construction. They are most commonly seen as decorations, mounted on walls, or on mantels, in ski lodges. The Arctic Winter Games is an international biennial celebration of circumpolar sports and culture. ...
A mantelpiece or chimneypiece is the projecting hood which in medieval times was built over a fireplace to catch the smoke, and at a later date to the decorative framework, often carried up to the ceiling. ...
While recreational use of snowshoes had begun with the snowshoe clubs in Quebec, who held events where races and hikes were combined with fine food and drink, manufacture of snowshoes for recreational purposes only began in the late 19th century, when serious recreational use became more widespread. This article is about the Canadian province. ...
In the late 20th century the snowshoe underwent a radical redesign. It started in the 1950s when the Vermont-based Tubbs company created the Green Mountain Bearpaw, which combined the shortness of that style with an even narrower width than had previously been used. This rapidly became one of the most popular snowshoes of its day. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999...
This article is about the U.S. state. ...
The Green Mountains may refer to: The Green Mountains in Vermont in the United States extending into southern Quebec in Canada. ...
 Underside of a modern free-rotation binding snowshoe, showing cleats for traction on steep slopes. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2346x1269, 355 KB) Summary Photographed by Daniel Case 2006-01-20 Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2346x1269, 355 KB) Summary Photographed by Daniel Case 2006-01-20 Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ...
Traction usually refers to friction between a drive member and the surface it runs on, where friction is used to provide motion. ...
The "Western" snowshoe In 1972, experimenting with new designs in Washington's Cascade Mountains, Gene and Bill Prater created the snowshoe as we know it today. They began using aluminum tubing and replaced the lace with neoprene and nylon decking. To make them easier to use in mountaineering, the Praters developed a hinged binding and added cleats to the bottom of the shoe. For the capital city of the United States, see Washington, D.C.. For other uses, see Washington (disambiguation). ...
Mount Adams in Washington state The Cascade Range is a mountainous region famous for its chain of tall volcanos called the High Cascades that run north-south along the west coast of North America from British Columbia to the Shasta Cascade area of northern California. ...
Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal with a dull silvery appearance, due to a thin layer of oxidation that forms quickly when it is exposed to air. ...
Neoprene is the DuPont Chemical trade name for a family of synthetic rubbers based on polychloroprene. ...
For other uses of this word, see nylon (disambiguation). ...
An open crevasse. ...
This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ...
The Sherpa Snowshoe company started manufacturing these "Western" shoes and they proved very popular. Eastern snowshoers were a bit more skeptical at first, believing that the style was unnecessary in the east, until the Praters demonstrated their improved effectiveness on New Hampshire's Mount Washington. In time all users switched to the Sherpas. As defined by the Census Bureau, the western United States includes 13 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington lincoln, and Wyoming. ...
Red shows states east of the Mississippi River, pink shows states not fully eastern or western The U.S. Eastern states are the states east of the Mississippi River. ...
Official language(s) English Capital Concord Largest city Manchester Area Ranked 46th - Total 9,350 sq mi (24,217 km²) - Width 68 miles (110 km) - Length 190 miles (305 km) - % water 4. ...
The Summit Mount Washington is the highest peak in the American Northeast at 6,288 ft. ...
MSR solid plastic snowshoes These use an aluminum or stainless steel frame and take advantage of technical advances in plastics and injection molding to make a lighter and more durable shoe. They require little maintenance, and usually incorporate aggressive crampons. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (486x620, 58 KB)MSR brand snowshoes. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (486x620, 58 KB)MSR brand snowshoes. ...
Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal with a dull silvery appearance, due to a thin layer of oxidation that forms quickly when it is exposed to air. ...
The 630 foot high, stainless-clad (type 304L) Gateway Arch defines St. ...
For other uses, see Plastic (disambiguation). ...
Injection moulding is a manufacturing technique for making parts from thermoplastic material in production. ...
Crampons with buckled straps Crampons are a framework of spikes that are attached to boots to provide traction on snow and ice. ...
Some, such as those made by Mountain Safety Research, use no metal at all and also come with detachable tail extenders. Newer models have heel-lifters, called "ascenders", that flip up to facilitate hill climbing.
The use of solid decking in place of the standard latticework of lacing came as a surprise to many enthusiasts, since it challenged a long-held belief that the lattice was necessary to prevent snow from accumulating on the shoe. In practice, however, it seems that very little snow comes through the openings in either type of shoe.
Neoprene/nylon decks also displayed superior water resistance, neither stretching as rawhide will when wet nor requiring annual treatment with shellac, features that were immediately appreciated. Eventually they were replaced with even lighter materials such as polypropylene. Look up shellac in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...
Polypropylene lid of a Tic Tacs box, with a living hinge and the resin identification code under its flap Micrograph of polypropylene Polypropylene or polypropene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer, made by the chemical industry and used in a wide variety of applications, including food packaging, ropes, textiles, stationery, plastic...
These more athletic designs have helped the sport enjoy a renaissance after a period of eclipse when winter recreationists showed more interest in skiing. In the U.S., the number of snowshoers tripled during the 1990s. For the band, see 1990s (band). ...
In fact, ski resorts with available land are beginning to offer snowshoe trails to visitors, and some popular hiking areas are almost as busy in the colder months as they are on warm summer weekends. St. ...
Choosing the right snowshoes As many winter recreationists rediscover snowshoeing, many more newer models of snowshoe are becoming available. Ski areas and outdoor equipment stores are also offering snowshoes for rent; it is an excellent way for those interested in snowshoeing to decide what type of shoe is right for them. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with rental agreement. ...
Snowshoes today are divided into three types: aerobic/running (small and light; not intended for backcountry use); recreational (a bit larger; meant for use in gentle to moderate walks of 3-5 miles (5-8 km) at a time) and mountaineering (the largest, meant for serious hill-climbing, long-distance trips and off-trail use). Sizes are often given in inches, even though snowshoes are nowhere near perfectly rectangular. Mountaineering shoes can be at least 30 inches (76 cm) long by 10 inches (25 cm) wide; a lighter pair of racing shoes can be slightly narrower and 25 inches (64 cm) or shorter. In geometry, a rectangle is defined as a quadrilateral where all four of its angles are right angles. ...
Regardless of configuration, all wooden shoes are referred to as "traditional" and all shoes made of other materials are called "modern."
Not withstanding these variations in planned use, larger users should plan on buying larger snowshoes. A common formula is that for every pound (0.45 kg) of body weight, there should be one square inch (6.5 cm²) of snowshoe surface per snowshoe to adequately support the wearer. Users should also consider the weight of any gear they will be packing, especially if they expect to break trail. Those planning to travel into deep powder look for even larger shoes.
Many manufacturers now include weight-based flotation ratings for their shoes, although there is no standard for setting this as of yet.
 Properly adjusted bindings on two snowshoes of different size. Note use of gaiters. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (365x615, 61 KB) Summary Taken by Josh Eckels; on his website Licensing This image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License v. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (365x615, 61 KB) Summary Taken by Josh Eckels; on his website Licensing This image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License v. ...
Bindings When traditional wooden shoes were still popular, it was common to buy the bindings separately, much like downhill skis (and many wooden shoes are still sold this way). They were commonly called "H" bindings, since they consisted of a strap around the heel crossing a strap around the toe and one at the instep, forming a rough version of that letter. A strap is a strip, usually of fabric or leather. ...
On modern shoes, there are two styles of binding: limited-rotation, in which the toe is not allowed to go below the decking; and free-rotation, in which it is. The former is preferred for racing purposes as it prevents the tail from dragging, the latter for climbing steep slopes as it allows kick steps. The heel is always left free. For other uses, see Heel (disambiguation). ...
A series of straps, usually three, are used to fasten the foot to the snowshoe. Some styles of binding utilize a cup for the toe. It is important that a user be able to manipulate these straps easily, as removing or securing the foot often must be done outdoors in cold weather with bare hands, exposing him or her to the possibility of frostbite. This article is about a medical condition. ...
The loose ends of the straps are always placed outside the direction of travel to avoid stepping on them while snowshoeing. Under some conditions, however, accumulations of snow develop into ball-shaped attachments to them, which must periodically be removed as they become annoying.
In 1994, Bill torres and a younger associate developed the step-in binding, designed to make it easier for snowshoers wearing hard-shelled plastic boots (serious mountaineers) to change from snowshoes to crampons and back again as needed.
Accessories Snowshoers often use trekking poles as an accessory to help them keep their balance on the snow. Some manufacturers have begun making special snowshoeing models of their poles, with larger baskets more like those found on ski poles (which can also be used). It is not necessary to have them, however. A pair of typical trekking poles. ...
This skiers poles are tucked behind him. ...
Other than that, no other special accessories are required. Most types of footwear can be worn with snowshoes, although hiking boots are the preferred choice among most recreational users (except racers, who prefer running shoes). Ski boots, however, will not work with snowshoes, requiring backcountry skiers to carry other footwear for the snowshoe portion of their trip. Two pairs of hiking boots: one (left) old, patched with duct tape and showing serious wear; the other new. ...
‹ The template below is being considered for deletion. ...
Ski boots are specialized footwear that are used in skiing to provide a way to attach the skier to skis using ski bindings. ...
If going into deep snow, snowshoers will often take along gaiters to keep snow from getting into their boots from above. Some manufacturers make their snowshoes with boot or toe covers to provide the same protection. Gaiters are a type of protective clothing for a persons ankles and legs below the knee. ...
A carrier of some type is also advisable, particularly if the trip will not take place entirely on snowshoes. Some backpack manufacturers have designed special packs with "daisy chains," strips of looped nylon webbing on which the shoes can be secured for the duration of the journey. Snowshoe manufacturers, too, have begun including carriers and tote bags for their products, if for no other reason than to prevent the often-sharp cleats on the bottom from damaging surfaces they come in contact with. A backpack A backpack is, in its simplest form, a cloth sack carried on ones back and secured with two straps that go over the shoulders (called shoulder straps) and below the armpits. ...
The elementary meaning of daisy chain is a garland created from the daisy flower, generally as a childrens game. ...
Webbing is a strong fabric woven as a flat strip or tube of varying width and fibers often used in place of rope. ...
Since snowshoeing is commonly done in cold weather, users should prepare for it by dressing warmly and carrying the appropriate equipment.
Using snowshoes When putting on snowshoes, left is distinguished from right by which way the loose ends of the binding straps point: always outward, to avoid stepping on them repeatedly. Download high resolution version (1000x750, 156 KB)NPS photo from [1] This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Download high resolution version (1000x750, 156 KB)NPS photo from [1] This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Bryce Canyon National Park Bryce Canyon National Park is a national park located in southwestern Utah in the United States. ...
Snowshoes function best when there is enough snow beneath them to pack a layer between them and the ground, usually at a depth of 8 inches (20 cm) or more.
Snowshoeing can be done anywhere there is sufficient snow. There is no need to go to a special area of any kind, although such areas may offer some amenities not found in the typical woodlot or golf course. This article is about the sport of golf. ...
Walking in snowshoes It is often said by snowshoers that if you can walk, you can snowshoe. This is true, but snowshoeing properly requires some slight adjustments to walking.
The method of walking is to lift the shoes slightly and slide the overlapping inner edges over each other, thus avoiding the unnatural and fatiguing "straddle-gait" that would otherwise be necessary. A snowshoer must be willing to roll his or her feet slightly as well. An exaggerated stride works best when starting out, particularly with larger or traditional shoes.
New snowshoers find the learning curve to be quite steep. It helps that accidental, humiliating falls are far less common to snowshoeing than other winter sports. The learning curve effect and the closely related experience curve effect express the relationship between experience and efficiency. ...
Turning Walking skills are easily transferrable to straightforward snowshoe travel, but this is not always the case with turning around. While a snowshoer with space to do so can, and usually does, simply walk in a small semicircle, on a steep slope or in close quarters such as a boreal forest this may be impractical or impossible. It is thus necessary in such circumstances to execute a "kick turn" similar to the one employed on skis: lifting one foot high enough to keep the entire snowshoe in the air while keeping the other planted, putting the foot at a right angle to the other (or as close as possible for the situation and the snowshoer's physical comfort), then planting it on the snow and quickly repeating the action with the other foot. This is much easier to accomplish with poles. A semicircle of radius r. ...
Taiga (SAMPA /taIg@/, from Russian тайга́) is a biome characterized by its coniferous forests. ...
This article is about angles in geometry. ...
Kick turns do, however, put considerable strain on the hip muscles, and if many have to be made during a snowshoeing trip, these can be very sore the next day. In human anatomy, the muscles of the hip joint are those muscles that cause movement in the hip. ...
Ascending While the cleating and traction improvements to modern snowshoes have greatly enhanced snowshoers' climbing abilities, on very steep slopes it is still beneficial to make "kick steps," kicking the toes of the shoes into the snow to create a kind of snow stairs for the next traveler to use.
Alternatively, snowshoers can use two techniques borrowed from skis: the herringbone (walking uphill with the shoes spread outward at an angle to increase their support) and the sidestep.
Descending Once a trail has been broken up a mountain or hill, snowshoers often find a way to speed up the return trip that manages to also be fun and rests the leg muscles: glissading the trail, or sliding down on their buttocks. This does not damage the trail, and in fact helps pack the snow better for later users. Glissade is the usually voluntary act of descending a steep slope of snow in a controlled manner either for the sheer thrill of the ride and/or to bypass tedious scree. ...
Bottom commonly refers to the human buttocks but also has other uses. ...
Great distances can be descended by glissading, and any number of methods to control one's speed and direction are available to the experienced snowshoer: the shoes, poles, hands (if properly gloved), body English and self-arrest techniques. Self arrest is a mountaineering related maneuver in which a climber that has fallen and is sliding down a snow or ice slope arrests, stops, the slide by himself without recourse to a rope or other belay system. ...
In situations where they must break trail downhill and thus cannot glissade, snowshoers sometimes run downhill in exaggerated steps, sliding slightly on the snow as they do, an option sometimes called "step sliding." If carrying poles and properly experienced, they can also employ skiing techniques such as telemarking. Telemark skiing is a term used for skiing using the Telemark turn, which is a technique first popularized by Sondre Norheim. ...
Breaking trail On newfallen snow it is necessary for a snowshoer to "break" a trail. This is very exhausting (it may require up to 50% more energy than simply following behind) even on level terrain, and frequently in groups this work is shared among all participants, sometimes in shifts as short as three minutes. It is thus not recommended to snowshoe solo, particularly up a mountain, without a broken route.
A trail breaker can improve the quality of the ensuing route by using a technique, similar to the hiking rest step, called "stamping": pausing momentarily after each step before putting full weight on the foot. This helps smooth the snow underneath and compacts it even better for the next user. In mountaineering and hiking, the rest step is a human walking gait used in ascending steep slopes. ...
A well-broken trail is usually a rut in the snow about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) deep and 2 feet (61 cm) wide. While it may appear after heavy use as if it is possible to "bareboot" or walk it without benefit of snowshoes, this practice is frowned upon by serious snowshoers as it leads to "postholing," or roughening of the trail from places where boots have fallen through (initial appearances to the contrary, the snow in a broken trail is not sufficiently packed to support the more concentrated weight of a foot). Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1272x2052, 393 KB) Summary Photographed by Daniel Case on Plateau Mountain in the Catskills 2006-01-08. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1272x2052, 393 KB) Summary Photographed by Daniel Case on Plateau Mountain in the Catskills 2006-01-08. ...
Benefits Snowshoeing expands the potential for exercise available in the wintertime. As of 2006, at least 500 American schools, mostly but not exclusively in the Northeast have started offering snowshoe programs in their physical education classes to help combat obesity. It had the added benefit of being gentler on the feet than walking or running the equivalent routes, since snow cushions the foot's impact. 2006 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Educational oversight Secretary Deputy Secretary U.S. Department of Education Margaret Spellings Raymond Simon National education budget $1. ...
Regional definitions vary The Northeastern United States is a region of the United States. ...
Physical education (PE) is the interdisciplinary study of all area of science relating to the transmission of physical knowledge and skills to an individual or a group, the application of these skills, and their results. ...
For the same reason, it is less detrimental to the environment, since the snow likewise buffers the earth against the impact of so many hikers and campers, cutting back on trail erosion and other effects of heavy use. For morphological image processing operations, see Erosion (morphology). ...
While the cold creates its own safety risks, there is less chance of a hiker getting lost on snowshoes, since they can follow their own trail back.
A young snowshoer getting up close and personal with nature. Snowshoeing makes even familiar hikes different and new. If the snow is deep enough obstacles such as large boulders and fallen logs can be more easily bypassed. Winter transforms familiar forests into something wonderful and strange, and clearer, bluer skies in winter often afford more sweeping, longer-range views from favorite lookouts than are available in summer situations. The stillness of the air, quiet and snow cover give nature a pristine feel that is sometimes lacking at other times of year. Image File history File linksMetadata Snowshoer_with_perching_bird. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata Snowshoer_with_perching_bird. ...
“Natural†redirects here. ...
As Florence Page Jaques put it in her book, Snowshoe Country, "I love the deep silence of the midwinter woods. It is a stillness you can rest your whole weight against ... This silence is so profound you are sure it will hold and last."
Adverse effects Immoderate snowshoeing leads to serious lameness of the feet and ankles which Canadian voyageurs called mal de raquette. Modern snowshoes are much lighter and more comfortable so that lameness caused by snowshoeing is now very rare. The coureurs des bois (runners of the woods) or voyageurs (travellers) is the name given to the men who engaged in the fur trade directly with the Amerindians in North America from the time of New France up through the 19th century, when much of the continent was still mostly...
Nonetheless, many snowshoers find that their legs, particularly their calf muscles, take some time to get used to snowshoeing again at the start of each winter. Frequently the first serious trip leaves them sore for several days afterwards. The calf or gastrosoleus is a pair of muscles—the gastrocnemius and soleus—at the back of the lower human leg. ...
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is the pain or discomfort often felt 24 to 72 hours after exercising and subsides generally within 2 to 3 days. ...
Snowshoeing in conjunction with other winter recreation
A snowshoer packing downhill skis. The resurgence of interest in snowshoeing in the late 20th century was in some part due to snowboarders, who took to them as a way to reach backcountry powder bowls and other areas while they were still banned from most ski areas. Their similarities to snowboards, in shape and binding, led many of them to continue use even after snowboarders were allowed to use most ski slopes. Image File history File linksMetadata Snowshoer_packing_skis. ...
Image File history File linksMetadata Snowshoer_packing_skis. ...
A snowboard with strap-in bindings A snowboard is a board ridden in snowboarding to descend a snow-covered slope. ...
Downhill skiers, too, found snowshoes useful in reaching the same areas. Alpine skier carving a turn on piste Alpine skiing (or downhill skiing) is a recreational activity and sport involving sliding down snow-covered hills with long, thin skis attached to each foot. ...
Another popular expedition, particularly among hikers, is the "ski-shoe" trip combining a cross-country ski portion on a level, wide trail with a snowshoe up a less skiable section, usually to a mountain summit. Cross-Country trails are often less crowded than Alpine ski slopes. ...
Competitive snowshoeing Runners have found that using light snowshoes allows them to continue exercising and racing during winter. Like their warm-weather counterparts, events cover all distances, from sprints of 100 m to the 100-km "Iditashoe." There are even hurdle events. Sprints are short running races in athletics. ...
Hurdling In track and field athletics there are sprint hurdle races and long hurdle races. ...
Snowshoe segments have become common in many multisport events and adventure races, including a required snowshoe segment in the winter quadrathlon. Some competitors in those events like Sally Edwards and Tom Sobal have emerged as stars. Multisport refers to a family of athletic competitions in which athletes race in a series of stages or legs, and much rapidly switch from one athletic discipline to another in order to achieve the best overall time. ...
Not to be confused with Rogaining. ...
Sally Edwards (born September 10, 1947) is one of the pioneers in triathlon. ...
While snowshoe racing has probably been around as long as there have been snowshoes, as an organized sport it is relatively new. The United States Snowshoe Association was founded in 1977 to serve as a governing body for competitive snowshoeing. It is headquartered in Corinth, New York, which considers itself the "Snowshoe Capital of the World" as a result. Similar organizations, such as the European Snowshoe Committee and Japan's Chikyu Network, exist in other countries and there is an international competitive level as well. Corinth is a village located in Saratoga County, New York. ...
This article is about the state. ...
Snowshoe races are part of the Arctic Winter Games and the winter Special Olympics. However, they are not yet an Olympic event. The Arctic Winter Games is an international biennial celebration of circumpolar sports and culture. ...
Special Olympics is an international organization created to help people with intellectual disabilities develop self-confidence, social skills and a sense of personal accomplishment through sports training and competition. ...
An athlete carries the Olympic torch The Winter Olympic Games are a winter multi-sport event held every four years. ...
Snowshoeing on sand Just as snowshoes have made running a year-round sport in even the coldest climates, runners have in turn found ways to make use of snowshoes in summertime. Some enthusiasts and racers have found that snowshoes facilitate foot travel in sandy areas such as beaches and deserts. One race organizer, Andrew Bielecki of Breckenridge, Colorado, claims they work even better on sand. For other uses, see Sand (disambiguation). ...
For other uses, see Beach (disambiguation). ...
This article is about arid terrain. ...
Breckenridge is a town in Summit County, Colorado, United States. ...
Maintenance and repair The rawhide webbing of traditional snowshoes, as noted above, needed regular waterproofing. Modern snowshoes need no regular maintenance save a sharpening of cleats if desired. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...
Both kinds of snowshoe, however, can and do break. The most common damage suffered is to the frame, which can be splinted with a stick or piece of wood if necessary. Decking rarely gets broken, but if it is punctured and the hole looks as if it might continue to grow the best solution is the patching kits made for tents. Splint may mean: Splint (programming tool), a tool for checking computer programs Splint (medicine), a medical device for the immobilisation of limbs or spine This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...
Repair and Maintenance is fixing any sort of mechanical or electrical device should it get out of order or broken (repair) as well as performing the routine actions which keep the device in working order (maintenance) or prevent trouble from arising (preventive maintenance). ...
This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
Cable ties can serve many purposes in repairing snowshoes. They can splint frames in a pinch, replace a broken rivet, secure a tie or lace, and repair winter clothing as well. Two cable ties, one open and one closed A cable tie ( also strap, rat belt, mouse belt, tie wrap, or zip tie) is a type of fastener, especially for binding several electronic cables or wires together, and to organize cables and wires. ...
References to snowshoes in popular culture One of Jack Handey's popular "Deep Thoughts" on Saturday Night Live considers other possible uses of snowshoes: Jack Handey (born 25 February 1949) is an American humorist. ...
This article is about the American television series. ...
Many people do not realize that the snowshoe can be used for a great many things besides walking on snow. For instance, it can be used to carry pancakes from the stove to the breakfast table. Also, it can be used to carry uneaten pancakes from the table to the garbage. Finally, it can be used as a kind of strainer, where you force pancakes through the strings to see if a piece of gold got in a pancake somehow. The Sneaux Shoe company produces skateboarding shoes. Their name is pronounced like "snow shoe".
See also A winter sport is a sport commonly played during winter. ...
References - This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
- Associated Press, February 13, 2006; Snowshoes are alternatives in winter gym class.
- Felkley, David and Prater, Gene, Snowshoeing: From Novice to Master, The Mountaineers Books, Klickitat, Wash., 2002. ISBN 0-89886-891-2.
- Heilman, Carl; If You Can Walk... You Can Snowshoe at carlheilman.com date unknown, retrieved January 10, 2006.
- Kreps, E; Camp and Trail Methods, A.R. Harding Co, Columbus Ohio
- Olmsted, Larry; Snowshoeing: A Trailside Guide, W.W. Norton, New York, N.Y. 1997. ISBN 0-393-31720-X.
- Prosek, James; February 6, 2004; JOURNEYS: Making Tracks in a World Gone Silent, The New York Times.
- Tucker, Jim; History of Snowshoeing, at snowshoeracing.com, retrieved January 18, 2006.
- Woodward, Angela; Snowshoe, at madehow.com, retrieved January 22, 2006.
Encyclopædia Britannica, the eleventh edition The Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition (1910–1911) is perhaps the most famous edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica. ...
The public domain comprises the body of all creative works and other knowledge—writing, artwork, music, science, inventions, and others—in which no person or organization has any proprietary interest. ...
The Associated Press, or AP, is an American news agency, the worlds largest such organization. ...
is the 44th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 10th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed internationally. ...
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General information Stream on the hike to the top of Ampersand Mountain The Adirondack mountain range is located in the northeastern part of New York that runs through Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, St. ...
Photography [fәtɑgrәfi:],[foʊtɑgrәfi:] is the process of recording pictures by means of capturing light on a light-sensitive medium, such as a film or electronic sensor. ...
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