Cabin fever is real. It happens every year to most of us. You can tell because this forum becomes increasingly difficult to moderate.
Over the past 3 years I have made some serious changes in my life style so that I get out more than just the summer and fall. I picked up several new hobbies, snowshoeing being one of them. I bought my first set two years ago. A pair of MSR evos. Middle of the pack in terms of quality, but I figured for being new to the sport that should fit the budget. I did a short 5 mile hike that first winter and to be honest, did not touch them last winter. This winter was looking pretty bleak too as the snow pack here in Western Washington wasn't much to write home about. That all changed in early February. Ole mother nature unleashed and before we knew it we had FEET of powder. I picked a trail close to home and myself and two buddies headed out on a Saturday morning.
We didn't make it very far. Snow shoeing is hard as F!!!! the 50% rule is very true. We climbed for 3 hours and made it 1.25 miles and 1100' of elevation. I had some other stuff to take care of that day so we turned out and headed back. I was pissed we didn't make the ridge. I immediately set plans into motion for the following weekend to conquer a big loop in the area. I roughly mapped it on ON X maps and came up with 9.65 miles....easy enough.
We ended up doing 13 miles with 3887' of elevation gain. We ran into some snowmobiles at the top and they made it clear that we were crazy for hiking that ridge. I agreed with them.
Anyway, it was a "type 2" fun day and looking back I am glad we did it. It was a great tune up for the spring season and we saw some cool country that only folks on snow machines see.
Hope you enjoy the pictures
Over the past 3 years I have made some serious changes in my life style so that I get out more than just the summer and fall. I picked up several new hobbies, snowshoeing being one of them. I bought my first set two years ago. A pair of MSR evos. Middle of the pack in terms of quality, but I figured for being new to the sport that should fit the budget. I did a short 5 mile hike that first winter and to be honest, did not touch them last winter. This winter was looking pretty bleak too as the snow pack here in Western Washington wasn't much to write home about. That all changed in early February. Ole mother nature unleashed and before we knew it we had FEET of powder. I picked a trail close to home and myself and two buddies headed out on a Saturday morning.
We didn't make it very far. Snow shoeing is hard as F!!!! the 50% rule is very true. We climbed for 3 hours and made it 1.25 miles and 1100' of elevation. I had some other stuff to take care of that day so we turned out and headed back. I was pissed we didn't make the ridge. I immediately set plans into motion for the following weekend to conquer a big loop in the area. I roughly mapped it on ON X maps and came up with 9.65 miles....easy enough.
We ended up doing 13 miles with 3887' of elevation gain. We ran into some snowmobiles at the top and they made it clear that we were crazy for hiking that ridge. I agreed with them.
Anyway, it was a "type 2" fun day and looking back I am glad we did it. It was a great tune up for the spring season and we saw some cool country that only folks on snow machines see.
Hope you enjoy the pictures
