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Showing posts with label EverGreenEscapes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label EverGreenEscapes. Show all posts

Hive Snowshoes Combine Snowshoeing And Skiing

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If you're new to snowshoeing and are ready to buy your first pair, you might get overwhelmed by all the brands, types, and styles. When I got introduced to this popular winter activity 4 years ago, and figured out what had worked for me, I tried to make it easier for my readers to make a choice by writing a short post on how to chose your snowshoes.

During my last snowshoe outing with EverGreen Escapes I used a pair of MSR Evo Snowshoes

Light, durable, and unisex,they also have good cleats that are equally suited to backcountry travel and groomed trails. Climbing the somewhat steep slopes of the Paradise Valley was easy and enjoyable. But on the way down I really envied skiers and snowboarders blasting past us on their split boards and BC skis.

Recently, I read about one German company that had designed a unique pair of snowshoes that double as a sort of short ski or glider.
This product is a new type of winter sports products - a reinterpretation and development of the traditional snowshoe.It combines hiking on a mountain with the subsequent “drive-down” in one product. Link
While this snowshoes won't exactly tackle the same range of terrain that a pair of big mountain skis would, they will allow you to hike uphill and then glide back down rather than stumbling your way down step by step.




Snowshoeing Mt Rainier With EverGreen Escapes

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Snowshoeing at Mt Rainier is #1 on the list of "10 Ways To Experience Mt. Rainier This Winter" suggested by the official website for Mt. Rainier travel and vacations.

With more than 16 trails of various length and difficulty, it might be a bit overwhelming to decide where to go, especially if you're new to the area ( or snowshoeing in general ).


After my last snowshoe trip , I finally decided to pull the plug on this hobby, sold my snowshoes, and was getting ready to switch to ski touring. Skiing up to Camp Muir and then down to Paradise has been on my Bucket List for a while. But after our "failed" attempt to reach Paradise in December, I was a bit freaked out to drive there and almost gave up to ever see Mt Rainier in winter.

Before, I mentioned that there were a few ways to visit the park...but mostly in summer. If you're visiting our state ( or like me, hate driving ) in winter you're pretty much limited to : driving with a friend, renting a car, or joining EverGreen Escapes on their Full-Day Mt. Rainier Snowshoe Tour

Unlike big tour buses, their small (but luxury ) Mercedes van provides intimate atmosphere and a chance to get to know people you're traveling with. We made our first stop at Kautz Creek trail head to stretch our legs, get a cup of coffee with some pastries, and to snap a "preview of the Mountain".

At Paradise, we strapped on our snowshoes, and after a short briefing were on our way to explore the park's winter trails.

Another thing I loved about the tour was "the freedom to roam". Unlike many "organized trips" I've been on before, the atmosphere during this trip was very casual.

Though, you are expected to stay with the group, you can still keep up your own pace. If during the summer months you would have to stick to the trail, in winter you can chose to use the existing trails, or feel free to forge your own path !

My only concern was about a few people, who might have underestimated "the Mountain". I can't stress enough the importance of being prepared in the outdoors, and especially in the mountains.
Weather in the park is notoriously quick to change, and sudden storms can appear with little or no warning...
Though it was a picture perfect bluebird day, the wind was reaching 25-30 MPH with the temperatures in the low 30's. A couple people were not wearing any headgear, gloves, another person was wearing very light hiking shoes...Our guide mentioned that a week before they had to hike in complete white-out conditions.

Remember, surviving in the mountains is not just challenging, it's also expensive :

Lost Mt. Rainier Snowshoer Burned Money to Stay Alive