| Snowshoers should consider carrying some, if not all, of the accessories pictured and described here. (Carrying the cooler is also
optional, of course.) Photo by Jim Joque
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Snowshoeing with Jim Joque
Snowshoeing gear for comfort and safety
One of the least expensive outdoor winter sports is snowshoeing. All you really need to purchase is a pair of snowshoes. No lift tickets needed. No major accessories are required, like helmets, special boots, poles,
goggles or ski carriers for your car. Where a set of quality downhill skies, binding and boots could run close to a grand and a snowboard about $500, you can buy a decent pair of snowshoes from $100 to $250. Snowshoes are all you need to enjoy the sport.
But as with any other sport or recreational activity, there are always those little accessories you can purchase. As I prepare for this coming snowshoe season, I look over my gear. Some of it is essential for
safety, and some of it provides convenience and a little added comfort for my forays in the backcountry.
Convenience and Comfort
Tote bag: Although I do not carry a snowshoe tote bag with me when snowshoeing, I do have use for one when traveling in my car. I have a large commercial fabric bag with a durable zipper that will house any one of my modern pairs of snowshoes or my traditional green mountain modified bearpaws. Atlas and Tubbs both make a sturdy tote bag.
Hiking pole: At the top of my list is the hiking staff or hiking pole. Many snowshoers who are out for aerobic exercise will often use a pair of trekking poles, offering a good upper extremity workout. I prefer using a single hiking staff to help keep my balance on tricky terrain. A hiking staff reduces stress on my knees and back and comes in handy for measuring snow depth. I use my Comperdell Ultralight Hiker, a collapsible
aluminum staff with an anti-shock mechanism and a cork handle that unscrews and doubles as a camera stand. A carbide tip with a snow basket makes it functional in winter, while a rubber tip converts it for three-season use.
Daypack: I use a fanny/hip pack for short hikes. But for daylong snowshoe adventures, I use my 2,100-cubic-inch Marmot daypack with elastic-mesh bottle holders on both sides and a nylon hip belt. There are many reliable brands of daypacks on the market.
In my pack are a variety of items that will go with me as I snowshoe.
Gas stove and cup: A useful item is the very small MSR Pocket Rocket gas stove and compatible gas canister. Both are small and convenient. I also pack an aluminum cup to heat soup or water for hot chocolate or tea. Should an emergency situation arise, I can purify melted snow or ice.
TP kit: For hygiene purposes, I carry hand sanitizer, a small amount of toilet paper and a zip-lock plastic
bag for packing out the paper. I also carry a small metal spade. Although the ground is frozen in winter, with a little elbow grease I can still chisel a 6- to 8-inch hole for toileting.
Knife or tool: I always pack a knife, often one with tool attachments, such as a Swiss Army knife or a Leatherman. You never know when snowshoes may need fixing.
This leads me to my snowshoe repair kit.
Snowshoe repair kit: I have a homemade kit. In a strong plastic bag, I store my knife or multi-tool, about 5 feet of wire, some plastic locking cable-ties, boot laces and duct tape. Duct tape has its limitations in cold weather but comes in handy for repairs. I once duct taped a binding back onto a snowshoe that held through a hike back to the lodge. (I'm not sure if duct tape would be considered a convenience or essential for safety. But I'm sure Red Green would consider it a must.)
The wire and clips can be used to attach a broken segment of decking onto your snowshoe frame and for rigging-up a damaged binding. The bootlaces can be used to repair broken laces or damaged bindings.
Lights: Darkness comes early in the winter. Although I usually snowshoe without a light as the snows reflects moonlight, a flashlight or headlamp always comes in handy after dark. I always pack my Black Diamond LED headlamp.
Camera: I carry a small Canon Elph APS camera that takes great photos, and it attaches to my hiking staff for when I want to include myself in a picture. With all the digital technology available today, you can get great pictures with small and lightweight photo equipment.
Essentials for Safety
First aid: I never leave on an adventure without taking a first-aid kit. Furthermore, I know the contents of
my kit and how to use it all. I have also taken wilderness first aid and CPR courses.
In my first-aid kit, I pack an emergency blanket of NASA-like aluminum foil material that helps hold in body heat. A little larger blanket can also serve as an emergency tarp or shelter.
Compass and map: Map and compass skills are essential for backcountry travel. I carry my Silva orienteering compass and a map of the area I'm hiking. It can be fun using a map and compass to find
locations off trail. And obviously these are essential to have should I get lost.
Whistle: If lost, my whistle makes a good signaling device. Making three blasts on the whistle is the international sign for distress. I carry a plastic whistle. I once learned a valuable lesson from blowing on a metal whistle in below-zero weather. Never again.
Ice grips and rope: I take along a set of ice grips in the event I cross a frozen stream or lake. The ice grip is
a handle with a retractable plastic casing that when slammed into ice will reveal a long sharp nail. A 50-foot rope can come in handy for such emergencies, too, and should be attached to the outside of your daypack or otherwise easy to reach in a hurry.
Matches and fire starter: I keep a candle in a small empty mushroom soup can with a few holes around its perimeter, a small bit of fire starter (such as lint from a dryer) and a box of waterproof matches. Always be
prepared by carrying matches.
Food and water: It is essential to keep hydrated and nourished when snowshoeing. I carry two water bottles and do not quite fill them to the top. This allows space for the water to splash about as I hike and prevents them from freezing (moving water does not freeze). I will also pack some food depending on the length of trip, such as granola bars for a short hike and sandwiches, hot chocolate or soup mix for a warm refresher on a longer hike.
Sun protection: The nice thing about winter is you don't need to bug spray. However, sunscreen, Chapstick and a pair of sunglasses all help to protect you from the sun and wind.
Extra clothing: I tend to sweat when I hike. So I dress in layers to adjust for keeping cool when moving and warm when taking a break. Since some clothing always takes on moisture, I pack extra items including a
cap, socks and gloves. I will also pack an extra shirt and pants if out for a long day. I want to be sure I am dry, not only to be comfortable, but in the event of an emergency where I would get wet and be stranded in the woods for a period of time.
Other items
I do not carry a GPS unit, cell phone, radio, MP3 player, binoculars, water filter, gas heater, kitchen sink or
other such items. But some people do (maybe not heaters and sinks, however). It is all a matter of individual preference as it relates to comfort and safety. My list alone may seem long for a daylong hike. But in actuality, all the accessories I carry weigh about a combined 10 pounds, including the food and water.
You may want to take only your snowshoes and comfortable winter clothing. You can add accessories to
increase your comfort and safety. But put some thought now into what you want to carry so once the snow flies, you're ready to enjoy a day of snowshoeing out on the trail.
Jim Joque is coordinator of disability services for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He is also an adventure education instructor teaching courses in camping, backpacking and snowshoeing, and a trip leader for the university's wilderness orientation program. Joque currently serves as education director for
the United States Snowshoe Association and is a Leave No Trace master educator.
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