Took the snowshoes out this afternoon...(Pic Heavy)

[Sagewood]

It was such a beautiful day today I figured it would be a good chance to try out my newly acquired snowshoes. There wasnt really enough snow to need them, but it was good practice. I havent snowshoe'd since middle school, so it was nice to get back into it.

I hiked at a park along the Crow River in MN.

Looked like someone started a shelter...

I accidently stepped on a clam, I wondered why this would have been out there. But then I remembered that this area floods often, and must have been carried over from the Crow River.

I found a nice place to sit down and started up a fire to make some hot apple cider. I used my knife made by PMoore.

That black thing on the log is a piece of tool chest drawer liner. I take it with to sit on so my knees or my butt doesnt get wet.

Mmmm...good stuff....I also made some char cloth, you can see the altoids tin in the background

Here is the trio I took with. A Cold Steel Pipehawk, PMoore custom, and a Lester River Bushcraft custom.

It definetly was a great day for a hike. Now I cant wait for the snow to get deeper!

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Nice Photos

Thanks for posting

looking forward to your next trip

 

[JGON]

I can't wait for some snow here in WI so I can take out my new snowshoes...

Thanks for the pics.

JGON

 

[DennisStrickland]

great pics goose, it almost froze here in austin last night. your excursion was a delight since no rain here since 1 sept.the pmoore had beautiful mirror bevels. thanks
dennis

 

[sicily02]

Great pics. It looks like you had a fun time out.

I like your idea for using the tool chest mat for your sitting and kneeling pad.

Bryan

 

[mtnfolk mike]

great pics.. i love snowshoeing...:thumbup: nice selection of tools too..

 

[Calebklyne]

Nice post! I can't wait till I have some time to get out snowshoeing

 

[GoNadz]

Nice pics. I've never been snowshoeing, but I'm definitely stoked for snow this year. Is it difficult to pick up? I've been thinking about giving it a try this winter..

 

[Sagewood]

Nice pics. I've never been snowshoeing, but I'm definitely stoked for snow this year. Is it difficult to pick up?

Not really, I had no trouble at all walking in them. Its definetly a good workout. I think these narrow type of snowshoes work well for me since I am a shorter guy, and having the wider "Michigan" style of shoes would probably be clumsy. But, that is only an assumption, I will just have to try those style out someday.

 

[fmajor007]

Great pics Goose!!! I've been eye-balling some of Paul's work. How was handling your knife in the cold (looks mid-20's?) given some bare metal in the handle (my only real concern about his designs)? Any details on your knife - which is pretty doggone sweet BTW! Edge hold up well?

Hey Nadz - snowshoeing is about as easy as it gets - especially nowadays with aluminum/hypalon decking and super-strong bindings. The "old" woodies with varnished rawhide were great back in the day, but the modern materials make it all a bit less fiddly.

If you buy some, pretty much ignore the weight "recommendations" and go with a minimum of 30". In any snow depth of interest (and especially so with powder), the shorter versions (below 30") simply don't offer enough loft for an adult male (say from 150lbs and up) - especially given that most folks carry a small day pack.

As Goose mentioned, snowshoeing with newer designs pretty much eliminates the old "John Wayne Cowboy Walk" of yester-year. Simply strap 'em on and walk. In deeper snow using adjustable hiking poles with a 3"-5" 'basket' really adds stability so you don't wobble when/if you step on something below the snow surface.

 

[GoNadz]

Cool. Sounds like I'm going snowshoeing this winter. Bring on the snow! Thanks!

 

[River-8]

Really like the old school snowshoes :thumbup: !

Snowshoeing is a blast, and easy to pick up.
Currently have an older set of Sherpa's - they can really take a beating.

Where in 'central Minnesota' are you? I grew up in the suburbs of Nisswa...

Thanks for sharing.

8

 

[pitdog]

Great pics buddy, thanks for sharing them !

 

[plumberroy]

It isn't going to snow here this winter. Because I just spent $750 on a new snowblower!
Roy

 

[fmajor007]

+^+ Best guarantee for an easy winter!!!

 

[Sagewood]

Great pics Goose!!! I've been eye-balling some of Paul's work. How was handling your knife in the cold (looks mid-20's?) given some bare metal in the handle (my only real concern about his designs)? Any details on your knife - which is pretty doggone sweet BTW! Edge hold up well?

Its a great knife, Paul ships them scary sharp, and this one is still that way even with some use. I had my gloves on while using it, so I didnt have bare skin contact. I dont think that would have posed much of a problem anyways. Its definetly what he calls a "Rough Use" knife, and he really likes to see his customers actually use their knives. Here are the specs-

Overall Length: 11"
Blade Length: 5 3/8"
Thickness: 3/16

The handle is green micarta with hex machine screws. Not sure what steel it is, possibly 01. I will ask him when I get the chance.

Where in 'central Minnesota' are you? I grew up in the suburbs of Nisswa...

I am in Delano, its a little west of the Twin Cities.