snowshoe clinic

I went to L.L. Bean tonight for a snow shoe clinic. Everything you wanted to know about snowshoes but were afraid to ask.

Actually, there isn't much.

It's pretty much walking with really big shoes. You need to lift your legs high, think almost marching, and move forward. You land with your toes, then your heel. Your heel is actually not strapped to the shoe.

Turning is fun. You take one foot and move it into a V pattern the direction you are going. Then bring the other one to meet it. Repeat as often as necessary.

Most important, don't walk on your shoes, especially when turning.

The aluminum and plastic base disperses your weight. There are claws (they told me the name, I don't remember) that dig into the snow.

The recommend you wear higher boots because the snow will kick up behind you. Or gators. They also recommended poles for balance, but they aren't mandatory unless you are snowshoeing something like the AT.

They are sponsoring a snowshoe adventure on January 19. If there's no snow it will be hiking. Thinking about going.