[pct-l] snowshoes

[Mike Chapman]

Im the snowshoe making guru! First of all,many snowshoe designs are
out there in cyberspace($#%^ them,just joking)). I like the old school
rawhide version for basic travel,very light,but ineffective on the
verts unless you modify. My high dollar ones are great,but last year
before my late spring mantrip,the snow wasnt stopping,and neither was
the will of my fellow friends.  So 48hrs to go and the trip that was
planned "way" ahead of time,was on the verge of changing(nobody wanted
to spend more dough on rentals!,I own my own bad a$$ ones),when in my
head appeared a rare thought(take advantage,before u forget!).  Here
it was(no time for rawhide,doh!),I found some heavy duty lightweight
plywood,cut it to snowshoe size(approx),drilled holes around an inch
away from my footprint on the board(all around,8-10 holes),made 5
holes just above my toeline(not close to each other,keep
stable,solid),painted and dried next to fire,installed nuts and bolts
and lock washers(3inch) to the front holes for traction,used good
climbing style rope to fasten my boot\shoe to snowshoe(slide through
holes and wrap around high ankle),ajust with time),installed grip tape
in footprint and grip side. Success! The results,I made shoes that got
a 265lbs. dude up a vertical icy snow staircase with a big pack! They
lasted the whole trip(lots of miles),they still got them. My friends
couldnt stop raving about them(still). I have since designed a plexy
glass version with snowboard bindings(UL,sweet). The possibilitys are
endless,get creative. Hike on,and dont let the limits set you.

On 2/16/11, Ate Tuna <atetuna at gmail.com> wrote:
> Last year I thought snowshoes would be of some benefit, and still think they
> can be beneficial, but not I'm thinking skis with the appropriate bindings
> would allow more miles to be covered.  I'd hate to carry either one when
> they can't be used.
>
> On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 11:04 AM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I searched my mail and the archives, but I can't find the post :(
>>
>> Recently, someone made a comment about having made some snowshoes for
>> several people on a trip. I'd like to see the plans/design they used if
>> something is available.
>>
>> I know they aren't used often, and I don't actually expect to use them.
>> I'd
>> like to have a pair available though if I change my mind. My training
>> hikes
>> have been taking me through snow up here at 7000 ft. It just makes me move
>> soooo slow and requires significantly more effort.
>>
>> Anyway, I started to think I can probably make some that are much lighter
>> than the commercial offerings. They don't need to be super tough either. I
>> only need them to last a couple weeks in spring conditions. I have some
>> ideas floating around, but I'd like to see other designs.
>>
>> Anyone know of a website with instructions for making some lightweight
>> snowshoes?
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