Intro to Mountain Snowshoeing
December 20, 2022 | 6:00 pm Mountain Time | Free Webinar
Snowshoes are an important asset for exploring the mountains during the winter and spring months. They spread out your weight across a larger surface area, which helps you move over snow drifts without getting bogged down. However, there are a lot of options to choose from when picking a pair of shoes. Learning some basic techniques and safety practices will also help make your first snowshoeing trip a safe and successful time out in the mountains. If you are busy at this time, register anyway to receive an on-demand recording you can watch at a later date.
Get the skill and knowledge you need for your first snowshoeing trip in the mountains.
Snowshoes are an expensive piece of gear that can make or break a trip to the mountains. Whether you want to take some day trips or aim for a bigger climb or backpacking trip, this webinar will teach you what you need to get started as a snowshoer.
What Will You Learn During This Webinar?
I will share how to look up weather and snow forecasts, winter route information, avalanche forecasts and maps, and other data to help plan properly for snowshoeing, with an emphasis on the 14ers.
We will discuss what features set mountaineering snowshoes apart from others, like their built-in crampons. I will also share some specific recommendations on the best starter pairs to purchase or rent.
We’ll discuss using your snowshoes as efficiently as possible to save energy and race across snowy slopes. While nothing can take the place of time and practice, this will leave you far more prepared for practice in the field.
Winter and spring can be treacherous seasons in the mountains. I will include safety considerations, such as how to stay warm, avalanche advice, and an overview of the ten essentials. We will also discuss what to do if you get lost or injured while snowshoeing.
I will share a few ideas for snowshoeing trips, including three or four of my favorite places to go here in Colorado. I will also discuss which 14ers are best for snowshoeing and which are best for beginners specifically.
Meet Your Webinar Trainer: Alex Derr
Alex is an Eagle Scout, mountaineer, and outdoor advocate based in Denver, Colorado. As the founder and Chief Mountain Officer at The Next Summit, he creates route guides, webinars, and other resources to help people safely explore the mountains of the West while leaving no trace for the next generation. With more than 40 ascents of peaks taller than 13,000 feet in all four seasons, he is passionate about sharing his experience and expertise with others to help them stay safe and be successful in their mountain endeavors.
