Snowshoeing Safety Guide: Essential Tips for Fun Winter Trail Adventures. To maximize your safety and flexibility while snowshoeing.
Planning your route and staying safe while snowshoeing is essential to ensuring an enjoyable experience. Here are some tips to ensure your safety:
Study the trail map before you set off. Plan your route taking into account distance, terrain, points of interest and weather conditions.
Let someone know your itinerary:
Before you leave, inform a family member, friend or neighbor of your planned route, expected departure and arrival times, and any emergency plans.
Check the weather conditions:
Check the weather forecast before you go. Winter weather conditions can change quickly, so be prepared to adjust your plan accordingly.
Equip yourself properly:
Dress in layers to protect yourself from the cold. Wear waterproof clothing, warm gloves, a hat, sunglasses and appropriate snowshoes.
Bring the necessary equipment:
Make sure you have a first aid kit, emergency blanket, headlamp, spare batteries, compass, knife, and enough food and water.
Basic navigation skills:
Learn how to use a compass and read a topographical map. These skills can be crucial for finding your way, especially in fog or poor visibility.
Hiking group:
If possible, hike in a group. Having companions can be valuable in an emergency, and everyone can contribute to the safety of the group.
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Stay on the marked trails:
Follow official, marked trails. Avoid off-piste areas that could present hazards such as avalanches or crevasses.
Time management:
Start early in the morning to give yourself plenty of time before dark. Natural light diminishes quickly in winter.
Winter first aid training:
Take a winter first aid course. Learn first aid techniques specific to cold conditions, such as treating hypothermia.
Avalanche risk assessment:
If you are hiking in avalanche-prone areas, learn how to assess avalanche risk and carry appropriate safety equipment, such as a probe and shovel.
Emergency communication:
Make sure your phone is charged, but don't rely solely on it. Carry a satellite phone or emergency beacon in case of emergency.
Skills Review:
Regularly review your winter hiking, navigation and mountain safety skills.
Size Chart vs. Flotation:
But be careful, each snowshoe model offers its own ratio.
Child 4-9 years : 16-17 inches
Less than 80 lbs (max 36 kg)
Adjustable size: Extra Small to Junior #4
Child 7 to 13 years : 18 - 19 inches
Piste and off-piste: 50-100 lbs (22 to 45 kg)
Adjustable size: Small to Junior #5
Junior/Teenager : 21 - 22 inches
Trail and off-trail: 75 - 160 lbs (35 to 70 kg)
Teen : 24 - 25 inches
Trail only: 100-220 lbs (44-100 kg)
Trail and off-trail: 100 - 170 lbs (44 to 77 kg)
Adult : 30-31 inches
Trail only: 150-275 lbs (68-125 kg)
Trail - Off-trail: 150-240 lbs (68 to 110 kg)
Adult : 34 - 35 inches
Trail only: 140-300 lbs (68-135 kg)
Trail- Off-trail: 140-275 lbs (68 to 125 kg)
Adult : 36 inches
Trail - Off-trail: 150-360 lbs (72 to 165 kg)
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