#Middlebury #SnowShoes
Kent Sullivan-Wiley follows deer tracks in the snow. Snowshoers can have fun identifying the many different animal tracks they find. (Janine Sullivan-Wiley photo)
By JANINE SULLIVAN-WILEY
The holidays are past, and we are deep into winter. Roads and walkways can be icy, and it can be tempting to just cocoon inside. I do enjoy cozy times indoors with a hot cup of cocoa. But that is not enough to sustain my well-being. I need to be outdoors at least some of the time.
Hiking in snow can be tricky, and not everyone is inclined to ski (more about that in a future article). But there is another great winter activity to consider: snowshoeing! It’s not hard, nor too expensive, to get started. With snowshoes on, it almost doesn’t matter how deep the snow is – it can range from a few inches to a few feet deep. If it’s very deep, you just might have to stomp down a couple of times each step.
Snowshoes are not a huge investment. You might find some secondhand. I’ve seen them for as little as $40 a pair in a certain discount stores (OK for someone starting out), around $70 and up through a major online retailer, and starting at around $120 at sporting goods stores and outdoor retailers.
The snowshoe you need is determined by your size and weight. The right size will keep you from sinking too deeply. Trekking or ski poles are important, especially if the snow is deeper, for hills (is there any place around here without hills?), and to help you get up if you fall.
While snowshoeing is an easy sport to try out, safety is always important. Wear wicking, breathable fabrics (not cotton, and no jeans!) in layers you can remove as you warm up. And you will warm up! For your feet, don sturdy winter boots that are good in snow.
It’s important to go with a companion, which is basic safety in the woods, especially in winter. Try to recruit someone who has experience snowshoeing. Carry a GPS in addition to a trail map. Water is important – you can dehydrate easily in dry winter air – as are snacks.
You warm up while snowshoeing because your body is burning calories to keep you warm in the cold outdoors and from the exertion of the activity. Snowshoeing burns about 45% more calories than walking or running at the same speed. According to MyCaloriesBurned.com, you will burn 472 calories an hour if you weigh 130 pounds and 745 calories per hour if you weigh 205 pounds. What a fun way to get rid of the calories put on with all those holiday cookies and parties!
The first time I tried snowshoeing I found the trickiest parts were getting used to the wider stride necessary to accommodate the width of the snowshoes, and making sure they were buckled securely on my boots. Once I got that straight, it was delightful to be able to venture along paths or into the woods and seek out and follow tracks. In the woods, the snow tells tales of wildlife actions.
My friend Paul Acker finds snowshoeing meditative, with the snow muffling sound and creating such a peaceful environment. He said “I love it! Walking on the snow, without sinking in, is kind of surreal.”
Connecticut and even Middlebury are full of places to snowshoe. If you have woods around your home, you could start there. You also could head out on Middlebury Land Trust property trails. Stick to those that are well-marked and simple to follow at first, like around Lake Elise or even Bronson Meadow. The Larkin Trail also is a great option, as are the trails around Hop Brook Lake Park. Search online for “snowshoeing CT” to find a number of websites with information on places to snowshoe in Connecticut. Have fun and stay safe out there!
Find information about the Middlebury Land Trust at middleburylandtrust.org. Contact this writer at jswspotlight@gmail.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.