Lake Region

Lifetime Physical Education

Snowshoeing Study Guide
If you get lost
- S sit down, do not panic
- T think about your problem
- O observe the area
- P plan what to do
- don't wander, you may become more lost and confused
Survival Rules
Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return
Never go alone
Take a survival kit
Wear proper clothing and carry proper equipment, remember weather can change
Plan your outing so you can return to your car or camp before dark
Know how to build a fire and take proper fire starting material
Survival Kit - carried in a fanny pack
The most important essential, is not on the list -"Common Sense". Having the right
gear is
one thing, knowing how and when to use it is quite another. Most often, it's not a person's
equipment that saves them. It's their experience, know-how, and good judgment.
1. Map - Always carry a detailed map of the area you will be visiting and know how to
use it!
2. Compass - Carry a compass, at all times, in the backcountry and know how to use it!
3. Flashlight / Headlamp - Flashlights and/or Headlamps are important even on day
trips.
4. Extra Food - Whenever you go out, even for a day trip, bring extra food in case you
are
delayed by emergencies, foul weather, or just get lost.
5. Extra Clothing - In addition to the basic layers you would normally take on an outing,
bring
extra clothing which would get you through the worst conditions you might come up
against. In
addition to the extra clothes, carry an emergency shelter such as mylar Space Bag or
blanket. The
Space Bag only weighs about 2.5 ounces but will completely encase you and keep you
warm and
dry.
6. Sunglasses - Your eyes can experience damage from ultraviolet rays and light
reflecting off of
snow.
7. First-Aid Kit - Carry first-aid supplies for minor injuries. Carry plenty of adhesive
band-aids
and sterilized bandages, because they can't be easily improvised in the woods. If you
purchase
one, you'll most likely need to add items to it like rubber gloves.
8. Pocket Knife - Your basic tool kit. A good example of a single piece of gear which
has
multiple uses.
9. Waterproof Matches Carry waterproof matches or strike-anywhere matches along
with
something to strike them on in a waterproof container.
10. Firestarter - Fire starters are useful for quickly starting a fire, especially in
emergency
situations. They are also useful for igniting wet wood. There are several commercial fire
starters
available: magnesium blocks w/striking flint; chemically-treated fire sticks, etc. In
addition,
numerous home-made fire starters work just fine: compressed balls of dryer lint mixed
with or
covered with melted paraffin; egg-carton cups filled with mixtures of wood shavings,
wax, &
lint; etc.
11. Water - Carry plenty of fresh water.
12. Whistle - For emergencies: when you're lost, someone else is lost, or you're hurt and
need
help, etc. The best choice is a plastic whistle which wont freeze up.
Clothing
Dress in layers for any outdoor activity. What ever you do, do not wear cotton. It does not
insulate when wet and will make you cold. The basic layers should include:
Base Layer (lightweight thermal underwear and glove liners) wick moisture away from
the
body
Fabric choices - polypropylene, silk, capalene, lycra
Middle Layer (vest or jacket) insulate while allowing moisture to escape
Fabric choices - fleece and wool, insulate even when wet, fleece is warmer for its weight
than
wool
Outer Layer (shell) - protects from wind and precipitation
Fabric choices - waterproof and breathable fabrics like Gortex are best, coated fabrics
with
venting are ok.
Socks - Wool socks or polypropylene/wool blend
Gaiters - Knee-high gaiters keep the snow out of your boots
Hat - A wool cap or a lightweight, windproof, microfleece which will also cover ears
Hypothermia - occurs when the inner body temperature drops to a subnormal level, body
heat is
being lost faster than it can be produced, organs lose the ability to function
#1 killer of outdoor traveler
most cases of hypothermia occur between 30-50 degrees F, greatest hazards are windy
and wet weather
symptoms
o uncontrollable shivering
o memory lapses
o slurred speech
o stumbling
o drowsiness
treatment
o remove wet clothing
o give hot liquids, no alcohol
o warm victim by building a fire or with hot water bottles
prevention
o wear wool or polypropylene, both insulate when wet and wicks moisture away
from the body
o dress in layers
o eat high protein/energy foods
o drink plenty of liquids
o stay dry
o wear a hat
Frostbite
Frostbite is a localized freezing of tissue.
In the early stages, skin around the effected area will look flushed and will feel like it is
burning, itching, tingling, and will be numb.
The area will turn whitish to yellowish and appear waxy as ice crystals form under the
skin.
Do not rub frostbitten area or warm by fire.
Best way to warm is to place on warm skin.
Once frostbitten, the area will be more susceptible to refreezing.
Snowshoeing Information
Tips
Always check your gear, before you go
o Survival gear & knowledge intact?
o Familiarity with the terrain.
o Don't leave home without the 14 essential-gear items!
o Make sure someone at home knows where you are (in case of your emergency).
o Duct tape for emergency patchwork on snow shoes & snow poles
Take breaks, as necessary, to make adjustments to your clothing--try to stay dry--avoid
chills. Take frequent breaks to drink water and eat something. Snowshoeing is strenuous
and burns off calories and uses up body fluids in the form of perspiration. Remember: In
the winter, because of the cold, you may not always get the obvious signs of perspiring,
but you are, nonetheless, and those fluids must be replaced.
Techniques
Uphill - If the snow is light and soft, go straight up, by kick stepping. Push the toe of the
shoe
vertically into the snowpack, pressing down in order to pack down the snow enough to
support
your weight. Shift weight to that foot and then repeat the process with the other foot.
Another
technique is called "herringbone". Instead of pushing the shoe directly into the snow, step
sideways at about a 45% angle. This way, a little more of the shoe comes into contact
with the
snow.
Downhill - When moving uphill, put your weight forward, when traveling downhill, put
your
weight on the back part of the shoe with particular attention to the heel crampon getting
traction.
Another way is to travel downhill is straight down. This works okay in soft snow where
you can
dig your heels in and achieve firm footing.
Reverse Direction - If the snow is firm enough, plant the poles out on either side, far
enough out
to jump, twist, plant with the snowshoes. Another method is to take baby steps. Carefully
move
one shoe a little, then the other. Continue until both shoes are pointed in the new
direction.
Get up after a "fall-down" - Plant your poles, center your body weight and push your
self up.
Equipment
Boots Waterproof hiking boots work fine
Showshoes snowshoes have been around for a long time, much longer than skis. The
earlier
versions were made of wood with rawhide-lace work inside the wooden frame. They
were long,
bulky, and heavy. They were not for recreation but for traveling and hauling loads over
snow.
Most good snowshoes range from $200-$300.
Snow ploes poles help you stay balanced while traveling forward as well as when you
do tricky
maneuvers. Poles help propel you forward, kinds like 4-wheel drive.
Terminology
Binding connects the boot to the snowshoe. Look for durable materials that are easy to
put-on
and take off with gloved fingers.
Frame structural foundation of the shoe defines and shape and size. Most current
snowshoes
are made of high-quality, light, durable aircraft aluminum.
Decking the decking is the material with in frame which enables the shoe to float on
the
snow. Most decking is currently made of a highly durable material like Hypalon.
Flotation also called buoyancy, this is the shoes ability to keep you on top of the
snow. The
larger the surface area the better the flotation. The decking material also effects flotation.
Webbed or laced decking on traditional snowshoes is not as effective as some of the
modern,
solid-decked shoes.
Traction - snowshoes usually have some type of traction device or cleat that keeps the
shoe
from sliding in the snow and keeps you from sliding sown hill.
Sizing
Effected by your 1.) weight plus the weight of your pack, 2.) type of snow youre
traveling on
and 3.) what and where your recreation is.
1. The more you weigh, the bigger the shoe must be in order to keep you afloat.
2. Light, dry snow requires a bigger shoe to keep you from sinking.
3. If you recreate in steep, mountainous terrain, you need smaller shoes with excellent
traction.
If you are traveling, mainly, in flat open country, youll typically need a larger shoe with
a
nice tail to provide good flotation and tracking.