Snow Shoes

Derek A. Smithson

Travelling on snow shoes is one of the few methods of mountain travel
neglected by the YRC.

I had used them in Norway on steep deep powder snow and I had used
them to cross local moors in deep snow, but last February in France was
the first time I had seen modern design snow shoes.  These, I saw,
would work as well as my traditionally designed shoes in deep snow.  I
saw people walk up steep compacted snow without difficulty.  Snow that
our ski could only just manage with skins.  Snow that would almost
support ones weight without ski and on which the traditional snow shoe
would not be able to grip.  This sold me on the idea and I have bought
some.

Now I am waiting for next spring when I will be able to travel, solo
if I wish, in the mountains of Norway.  I see them as being useful
anywhere where the snow allows the foot to sink in as far as the boot
top.  One of their virtues is to have a lifting heel, like a cross
country ski binding, which makes them easier to walk in.  They have
spikes and narrow edges to bite into compacted snow and they will
relieve me of the necessity of taking the additional risks that I
associate with ski in the mountains.  One needs to be a capable skier
to venture into the mountains where as my experience of snow shoes tells
me that any idiot can use them.  Hence their appeal to me!