Seeing Winter Through New Eyes

Living in Seattle (west of the Cascade Mountains), a person can survive each winter season with the attitude to "just hibernate and endure it." For almost five winters, I have hibernated in my protective-snowless-Seattle bubble during the winter, only to venture out for hiking on snow-free trails. However, to start off the new year, I decided to make a resolution to see winter through new eyes.

On January 1st, I strapped on a pair of snowshoes for the first time, and explored some fresh powder in the Snoqualmie Region. On this adventure, I was with someone who loves winter (yes, these people do exist apparently). Fast-forward a few hours of snowshoeing, and I quickly discovered a newfound freedom to wander, and the mountains and trees that I fell in love with in 2012, morphed into a new feeling of awe, and I began to see a way to get rid of snowy-blues, and embrace the snow.

I have never skied or snowboard, but wanted to take part in a winter outdoor activity, and I figured that snowshoeing was the training-wheels to other winter sports. Also, I figured, I can hike; therefore, I must be able to snowshoe. Since I am trying really hard to embrace the minimalist lifestyle, instead of buying snowshoes, I borrowed a pair from a friend (and I have continued to borrow snowshoes). Another option for people, is visit your local outdoor store (ex: REI), and you can rent a pair of snowshoes (check to see if reservations are required for renting).

Currently, I have gone on three snowshoeing adventures, which of course, almost makes me an expert on the matter, haha! But I thought I would share some information to help you on a future snowshoe walk:

• The U.S. Forest Service offers guided weekend hikes from Snoqualmie Pass Visitor Center into Commonwealth Basin. fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs
• Take a guided snowshoe walk at Snoqualmie Pass ($15-$25 suggested donation); offered by the US Forest Service on weekends from January through March. Sign up in advance for the 90-minute, 1-mile trek that is appropriate for beginners.
• At the Mount Rainier National Park Jackson Visitor Center in Paradise, Rangers lead snowshoe walks on weekends and holidays, and last about two hours. nps.gov/mora
• At Verlot Public Service Center, east of Granite Falls along the Mountain Loop Highway, Rangers lead 5-hour round-trip hikes to 4,000 foot-tall face of Big Four Mountain. fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs (enter "snowshoe walk" in the search window for each site)
• If you have done snowshoeing before, go to Stevens Pass or to Mount Baker where exact walking location is determined by snow levels and weather (go to discovernw.org/ and search "snowshoe").

Things I have learned about snowshoeing:

• If you have ever utilized an elliptical machine, the motion of snowshoeing is similar. I quickly became aware of all the muscles I never work out in hiking and walking almost instantly.
• Depending on how cold it is, be prepared that your water may freeze in your water bottle. This absolutely happened to me. It didn't freeze completely, but since the temperature (not including the wind chill) was 8 degrees, my water formed a nice icy crust and exterior.
• Pack some hot coffee in a well-insulated thermos. Nothing is more rewarding than a cup of hot coffee the instant you get done snowshoeing.
• Make sure you have all the right passes and permits. Some parks change requirements from year-to-year. You may need a Sno-Park and a Discover/Northwest Forest Pass to park at snowshoeing trails in WA.
• Don't expect to be able to snowshoe as far and as long as you hike. I have definitely been humbled on my endurance and ability to stay out in the cold to do double-digit miles for snowshoeing trails. Which I am okay with because I have grown fond of all my fingers and toes.
• Arrive early to parking lots. Many of the parking lots and roads are shared by skiers and they fill up quickly!
• Etiquette: Don't snowshoe on cross country skiing tracks. Once the tracks are laid down in the snow it is easier for cross country skiers to maneuver through the snow. Added bonus of proper etiquette is that the skiers won't yell at you for me being a lowly snowshoer on their turf.
• Wear wool socks! I utilize my hiking boots for the snowshoes, and it made the world of difference to have wool socks. I haven't even had to put in toe warmers in my boots because of wool socks. I recommend Smartwool.
• Another saving grace have been gators. Trust me, you should put this over your skiing/insulated pants.
• Eyewear/sunglasses are strongly recommended. I haven't utilized either yet, but have been warned that they are immensely helpful when you are outside for many hours and the sun reflects back up on the snow.

Hopefully this has motivated you to challenge yourself this winter to try something new! I am getting ready and excited to head out for my first snowshoe-weekend-getaway (a sentence I never thought I would ever say), and I am sure there will be many more things I will learn about snowshoeing.