Snowshoes and hiking

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grohl

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Jun 27, 2004
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Anyone know anything about snowshoes? Looking to do some hiking next week in Washington state. We are climbing Mount Shuksan and apparently due to heavy snows we will need showshoes for the approach. I can rent them but thinking about buying. Prices and brands all all over the map. Any recommendations are appreciated.
 

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
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Find a pair for your appropriate weight(including load) and if you don't have hiking poles, get some.

I own Tubbs and Red Feathers. The Tubbs are pretty basic while the Red Feathers I can use for running due to them being tapered. I would hit a REI and get advice from them based on your situation.

edit - I have Atlas's not Tubbs.
 
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lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
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Make your own from birch, and rawhide :^P

I'm semi serious. It would be a fun project, but if you want something quick, I suppose a store is better.
 

KillerCharlie

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Aug 21, 2005
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As a mountaineer in Washington I hope you know what the hell you're doing climbing Shuksan. If you're not going with a guide you better be proficient with ice axe self arrest, rope team travel, and quickly setting up a z-pulley system for crevasse rescue.

Tubbs and Red Feathers are absolute pieces of crap. They work okay in consolidated snow and gentle terrain, but this is not what you will encounter. Not only is this the snowiest place in the world, you'll encounter a wide variety of types of snow. People around here who actually go in the mountains in unconsolidated snow conditions (which is still right now) either use Atlas 11 or 12 series snowshoes, or MSR snowshoes (lightning or evo ascent). No one I know uses anything else.

I've not rented snowshoes from REI or known anyone who has but I can guarantee you they rent MSR snowshoes. That's what I would do in your situation.

On a normal year, people usually don't start regular hiking in the mountains until July. Everything is month behind right now.
 
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NetWareHead

THAT guy
Aug 10, 2002
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People around here who actually go in the mountains in unconsolidated snow conditions (which is still right now) either use Atlas 11 or 12 series snowshoes, or MSR snowshoes (lightning or evo ascent). No one I know uses anything else.

I have a pair of MSR Lightnings. Great set of snowshoes.
 

KillerCharlie

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Aug 21, 2005
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I have a pair of MSR Lightnings. Great set of snowshoes.

They are bombproof, that's for sure - they're definitely the most popular snowshoe and made here in Seattle. Atlas's newer binding system on their higher end snowshoes have been giving them a run for their money lately though.
 

NetWareHead

THAT guy
Aug 10, 2002
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They are bombproof, that's for sure - they're definitely the most popular snowshoe and made here in Seattle. Atlas's newer binding system on their higher end snowshoes have been giving them a run for their money lately though.

Yes I seriously considered Atlas, one reason being the ease of binding adjustment. Atlas bindings are a pleasure to operate and can even be manipulated with gloves on. They make the MSR bindings looks poor in comparison. Actually, with the MSR bindings, one thing I hate, is that to adjust them, gloves have to come off and I have to freeze my hands to play with the snowshoes. So I really strive to get a good fitting on the binding, before heading out.

I ended up choosing the MSRs anyway since they seemed indestructible and the traction looked (on-paper at least) superior to Atlas. Plus the MSRs are much lighter and have the option of bolt on tails which give you an extra 5 inches. I'm pretty sure they are one the more expensive snowshoes on the market, but so far I have been pleased.
 

grohl

Platinum Member
Jun 27, 2004
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As a mountaineer in Washington I hope you know what the hell you're doing climbing Shuksan. If you're not going with a guide you better be proficient with ice axe self arrest, rope team travel, and quickly setting up a z-pulley system for crevasse rescue.

Tubbs and Red Feathers are absolute pieces of crap. They work okay in consolidated snow and gentle terrain, but this is not what you will encounter. Not only is this the snowiest place in the world, you'll encounter a wide variety of types of snow. People around here who actually go in the mountains in unconsolidated snow conditions (which is still right now) either use Atlas 11 or 12 series snowshoes, or MSR snowshoes (lightning or evo ascent). No one I know uses anything else.

I've not rented snowshoes from REI or known anyone who has but I can guarantee you they rent MSR snowshoes. That's what I would do in your situation.

On a normal year, people usually don't start regular hiking in the mountains until July. Everything is month behind right now.

I appreciate your concern. My friend and I are using a guide through Mountain Madness and are starting midweek. There is no way in hell I would consider doing this without a guide.

Up until now I have strictly been a backpacker, we usually are in the backcountry a few weeks a year doing 40-60 mile trips. Last year were in the Grand Tetons and came into a situation where we really needed some rope/mountaineering skills. We felt like it was time to step it up a but and have someone teach us the correct way to do glacier travel/cravasse rescue etc.

After this week's trip, we are planning to go back to the North Cascades in August and spend another week there. What we decide to do then will partially based on what we get out of this week.

And thanks for the snowshoe recs.
 

KillerCharlie

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2005
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It sounds like you're definitely more than prepared.

Glacier travel isn't really a huge deal, you just have to know what you're doing. I'm finishing up a 3 month long mountaineering course and a couple weeks ago we got to lowered into a crevasse while our peers rescued us. You'll be glad you got some training - from the description on their website you can do most the classic glaciated peaks in the northwest when you're done.

I'm actually planning on doing Shuksan next weekend for our final climb, but the snow this year is terrible. Access is not easy - that goes for all the mountains. Weather has been terrible this year as well. That also means avalanche danger has sucked. We're thinking of going somewhere else since we have some slow people in our group. Hopefully conditions will be good for both of us!

I've been on about 60 different trails in Washington and North Cascades is my favorite place by far. It doesn't get the throngs of tourists like Rainier. Unfortunately I don't think highway 20 is open yet but if it is when you're first here, I'd drive through it. There are some amazing places to hike (and even canoe/kayak).

Oh, and back to the snowshoes: definitely rent some from REI.
 
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