A pair of MSR snowshoes rest in the New Hampshire wilderness. (Compass Points Media / flickr) http://www.flickr.com/photos/compasspointsmedia/ / CC BY-ND 2.0
Time to bring another entertaining week to a conclusion here at Compass Points. Bracing at base camp in Pennsylvania for a much-anticipated snow storm tomorrow, which is suppose to dump about 10 inches of snow before clearing out Sunday.
I’m not certain – and understand that I was quite groggy and not entirely awake – but I thought I saw this morning my snowshoes grinning inside the gear closet. They’re ready after their spring-summer-fall hibernation.
Speaking of snowshoes, my work with Eastern Mountain Sports taught me that searching for the right snowshoe can be one of the most complicated purchases an aspiring winter outdoor athlete can make. Just like backpacks, tents and sleeping bags, you are inundated with choices from the design to the construction to the price. Staring at an imposing wall of snowshoes at EMS, REI or your local outfitter while trying to pick the right shoe can invoke the same panicked and confused feelings as one might feel watching an avalanche come hurdling toward you.
Okay, maybe that’s an overstatement. However, snowshoes are expensive, and the variety of snowshoes are each meant for a different purpose. You want to get it right.
REI has a great video below to help you figure out what to look for in snowshoes:
Hope that helps.
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Christmas is merely a week away, and once we’re into the New Year, we’re returning to the trails to resume filming for Compass Points TV, The Second Season. First episode is March 3, and about a month later, we’re introducing the world to Trail Blazes. Much to look forward to next year.
Now, a silly but totally understandable attempt to bring us all together, recite with me now:
Hike On, Pointers!
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Very informative post! You’re right on about finding a good pair at the start, because a good pair of snowshoes will last a very long time.
I have a pair of Women’s MSR Lightning Ascents that I love. I wrote up some info on women’s snowshoe tips on my website: http://hikinglady.com/the-gear/snowshoes/