[pct-l] Snowshoe help

[enyapjr at comcast.net]

I haven't used snowshoes for many years - and decided to get some for this winter...
Yeah, you guessed right, it hasn't snowed YET and can't see any in the long range forecast!
Hope February and early March are at least near 'normal' snowfall amounts for spring snowshoeing!

Your weight isn't always the only concern in choosing snowshoes...  also helps to know snow depth
and type/condition and the terrain on which they will usually be used most often...
One can usually go with a 'smaller' size snowshoe for consolidated or 'packed' snow...

Check MSR (see <http://www.msrcorp.com/snow/>), select any model, then click on "Snowshoe sizing"
(this table will give some idea of what you want to select for your needs - it includes all their models)...

MSR "Lightning" or "Lightning Ascent"  are good models, as is Northern Lites "Tundra" (for your weight
- though you might 'get by' with the "Backcountry"/"Quicksilver 30")...
See Northern Lites "Tundra" description at <http://www.northernlites.com/tundra.php>...
Of course, there are other snowshoe manufacturers, also (Tubbs, Atlas, Redfeather, etc.)...

Go to BackpackingLight - a search for "snowshoes" yielding 70 'hits' (some can be read by 'members
only', but enough are 'free' to get good info) is at <http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/results_advanced.html?criteria=snowshoes&search_clear=1&x=20&y=6>.

Select a 'shoe' for your 'normal' snow conditions and have a go at it!
Check local outfitters first (if you haven't already) and such - they may have rentals of models you are
interested in...  Have fun!


Happy (snow) trails!!!