BLOG #80 WINTER SSHOENG AND HIKING

WINTER HIKING
Hi readers,
As Winters snow pile up, we all must practice good skills in the mountains.
SSHOENG.    (Snowshoeing)
Most sshoe hikes are in terrain that snow slides rarely occur.
But some trails lead to areas that caution should be used.
Sshoeing requires balance and fast reaction times when out of balance.
To make balancing safer, extend your ski pole lengths. This will give you a point of balance that is further away and more stable.
Treat your ski boots with Boot Durable Water Repellent.
There’s nothing more unpleasant, than slogging along in wet cold boots.
They can also cause blisters.
Treat your outer wear as mentioned in RESOURCES.
Two good treatments are from NIKWax and Gearaid.
Ask for their DURABLE WATER REPELLENT.
Before you buy store bought water repellents, other than the above, check the web to make sure they DO NOT CONTAIN PFAS FOREVER CHEMICALS.
The DWR products are people safe.
Something I carry when in the Winter mountains, are automobile Road Flares. They burn at 1500°, and can start wet materials ablaze.
********************HOWEVER, YOU MUST USE EXTREME CAUTION IN CARRYING THEM.***************
I tape mine in a mailing tube, and it never gets put in a spot that may bend or break them.
And I joy carry them outside my pack. That way bcan separate it from the act f needed.
Please reread all the information in our RESOURCE section.
You must know how to treat for cold injuries, and so much more.

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
It’s very simple…..ENROLL IN A REPUTABLE CLASSES THAT WILL TEACH YOU ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
Learning by doing, is not a good option.


HIKING
Winter hiking in March, April and May is spectacular.
Often times you only need traction devises and ski poles for stability.

GETTING TO THE TRAILHEAD
As Winter’s snow accumulate, getting to the official trailhead, may not happen.
So plan for your walk to include the winter trailheads to official trailhead, distances.
A WISE PERSON KNOWS WHEN TO TURN AROUND
Do not let others TELL you what you should do, in the mountains.
Each of us, when we venture into the mountains, ARE 100% RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR SELVES.
If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, TELL THEM.
It better to be embarrassed, than to be rescued, or worse.


Benjamin Franklin once said:
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

The very easiest way to overcome the Winter Blues, is to go out and really experience Winter in all its beauty.
(start with The Finch Arboretum) 
But do not wear cotton anything. If they get wet, they zap your body heat in minutes.
Look at GEAR-CHIC. In there are very good base layers that don’t cost like national brands.


Please don’t let our Winters get you down.
Check out the PHOTO GALLERY under each hikes write up.
Winter Wonderlands are all around us.

You too can see and appreciate the wonders of Winter.



YAHOOOOOO, 
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THANK YOU

And everyone, have a safe and fun New Year.



Chic                    David


InlandNWRoutes.com