Off The Beaten Path - Snowshoeing

Some of you have been out a few times with Stephanie on snowshoe outings in the Horne Lake area this winter.  Elliot Lake has lots of trails to explore, and with snow on the ground, getting around is easier in places when you put on snowshoes.

Snowshoeing has become very popular these days.  This winter sport is inexpensive - all you need to buy are a pair of snowshoes.  If you have difficulty with balance, you can also purchase an inexpensive pair of ski poles to help you get up the hills.  As well, you can go just about anywhere.  You are not restricted to established resorts unlike downhill skiing that cost big bucks. 

Any existing hiking trail will do, or you can go cross country on uncharted territory.  Just remember to bring a map and compass.

Snowshoes have changed over the years.  The traditional snowshoes were made of white ash wood laced with rawhide webbing in a variety of styles and shapes.  Then experiments were made in the 1970's with plastic snowshoes which, unfortunately, didn’t last long.  Shortly after, aluminum framed snowshoes with aircraft cable lacing appeared, used mostly by Canada’s soldiers in the Canadian Armed Forces that proved to be very durable and light.

In the last decade, new age snowshoes appeared on the market with solid neoprene decking attached to tubular aluminum frames.  Equipped with racheting bindings, the same kind found on snowboards, they are easy to put on, are light, and provide great floatation in deep snow.  A crampon mounted on the bottom provides traction on slopes.

If you like to give snowshoeing a try, join Stephanie when she organizes snowshoe outings at Club 90.  The Coureur de Bois Hiking Club also organizes snowshoe outings at least three days a week.  If you want to go with the Coureur de Bois Hiking Club, they meet at 10:00 am Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on the Upper Plaza across the road from Club 90.  See you on the trails.

Pim D.