LOCALadk Magazine

46 Winter 2015 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk Snowshoeing The Adirondacks By Carl Heilman II Snowshoes are the 'all wheel drive' equipment for hiking on the varying snow conditions found during Adirondack winters. I've long said, 'If you can walk, you can snowshoe,' and that also goes for snowshoeing in all kinds of winter snow conditions. Snowshoes are fun to walk in as long as the ground is white, and it's also a great way to get the whole family outdoors in winter. They are versatile, and easy to use. While it may take days or years to master backcountry skiing techniques, it only takes an afternoon to master snowshoeing skills. My introduction to the Adirondack High Peaks was over 40 years ago on a pair of snowshoes I hand split from a white birch tree. I snowshoed the woods where I was living in Brant Lake, bushwhacked Pharaoh Mountain via Goose Pond, and then headed up Algonquin on those 13 x 48 wood frame / laced snowshoes that had no crampons under them. You sure learn a lot about climbing techniques when climbing on large snowshoes without crampons! I climbed quickly to the summit on my first High Peak adventure, and then also climbed Iroquois and Wright before heading out for the day. On the way down, I learned how much fun descending on a large pair of snowshoes could be, while sitting on the tails and glissading down the steep sections of trail on my way back to the Adirondak Loj. I've pursued snowshoeing adventures in a similar way ever since, enjoy- ing climbing to whatever vantage point I'm heading to, and then sliding down as much of the trail as possible on my way back out. I really enjoy snowshoes for being able to take me anywhere snow will stick - both on the trail and off. The smaller mountaineering snowshoe styles are a rela- tively easy way to navigate tough terrain and explore the steeper Adiron- dack backcountry. Today's high tech snowshoes all have built in crampons that grip secure- ly for climbing and descending, but when snow conditions are right it's still easy enough to get some glissading time in on the descent. Relative- ly larger shoes offer greater flotation, making it easier to break trail in deep fresh snow on more level terrain, while smaller shoes are used for packed trails and steeper terrain. The binding is one of the most critical features - make sure the bindings fit the shoes you will wear comfortably and provide a secure connection between your foot and the snowshoe giving you maximum control of the snowshoe. The fun thing about snowshoes is that you really don't need a trail - just take off and make your own, heading wherever you'd like to wander. Un- less you're heading out in a winter blizzard, heavy winds, heavy crust, or on a multi-day trip, you can always follow your trail back to where you started once you feel you've been out long enough. With so many people snowshoeing these days, if you prefer following a path, most trails are broken out soon after a snowfall. Breaking trail in fresh snow can be strenuous (and fun), but if you're looking for an easier, more relaxing hike, then wait a day or two after a snowfall to walk your favorite trail. Chances are it will be broken out and packed by the time you get there. Today's outdoor gear options make it easier to go out in all kinds of weather. I prefer all synthetic clothing materials with an easy to adjust layering system for snowshoeing. Do not use cotton in any layers, since once it gets moist or wet, it is impossible to dry in the field, and leads to hypothermia issues. How many layers to wear and carry depends on the ambient temperature and where a person is heading. On a day hike I may start out with one or two pairs of long johns, a windproof / waterproof parka and pants, hat, gloves, mittens, face mask, and warm comfortable boots with a liner system, plus full side zipper Primaloft pants and a cou- ple of Primaloft or fleece jackets in my pack. This makes it easy to change layers at any time, taking them off as I'm climbing and heating up, or add- ing them as I reach timberline or stop for a while. While you can snowshoe anywhere there is snow on the ground, there are lots of gentle trails all across the park at places like the Wild Center, the Adirondak Loj, Natural Stone Bridge and Caves, Ausable Chasm, and the Adirondack VIC's in Newcomb and Paul Smiths. Any of the trails that are used for summer hiking and climbing offer great snowshoeing oppor-

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