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448 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2003 : 5:19 PM
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Just came back testing my snowshoes at Grouse. What a fun time! The weather looked to be limited visibility but once at top it was only a small portion, and that burned off around 4pm.
Most snowshoe trails were packed so to test the shoes I went off trail and into some great untouched powder (not recommended for beginners.) Somehow I ended at the trailhead of Dam Mountain. Looks like only a few people took advantage of snowshoeing here.
No pics but just letting CTers know that there are 3 designated trails for snowshoeing today, although, not well marked (Blue Grouse Loop.) I forget the other two that were opened but it's on their daily board.
Tomorrow looks promising...full moon and good visibility. Driving there and parking without snow tires was fine.
I highly recommend it. Get your headlamps and hot chocolate and have fun!
BTW, next Thursday, Dec 11, Grouse is holding a snowshoe event in which they will be leading around Blue Grouse Lake and Dam Mountain. Snowshoes are complimentary with your ride up. Don't know the full details but check them out.
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Edited by - carmen on 12/07/2003 5:24 PM
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 double-double seeking, snow-chasing, short-cutting, vertical feet collector
4523 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2003 : 6:29 PM
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hi Carmen,
good for you for having such a great time on Grouse ! I was looking at the mountains with envy this morning - had to do some midnight-oil work at home instead.
isn't there a running class at Grouse every Thursday night (for snowshoes)? Complimentary for Grouse gondola pass holders.
I went a few years ago, and it was a killer workout for an hour - great fun for all. Run around Munday Lake, then head up the trail to Dam Mountain, then back down. Fun with a group, petzl-lights optional (but convenient), great way to find out the short cuts on the way down, woooooooo-hoo !! |
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448 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2003 : 6:46 PM
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Thanks for the info on running. I was planning to do that today, too, but it got too late and me too tired.
I will certainly check it out on Thursday, if I don't work.
Hope to see some CTers out there! |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
412 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2003 : 8:52 PM
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Forget snowshoes, get crampons.....
I went to Goat Mtn. today to test crampons (borrowed) which I have never used before. And... my snowshoes will be retired, and I will probably go for Cassin C12 or Black Diamond Sabretooth.
Crown Mtn, here I came...... In January, of course....
Avalanches... Who cares  , I have crampons...... |
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481 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2003 : 9:37 PM
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| I have Black Diamonds and love em. I'm sure you were joking about the last sentence, but if you don't have avy aware training, it is necessary for winter travel anywhere you might need cramp ons. |
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 bushy faced bright pink and orange sporting snow shoveling slacker
Seattle, WA
USA
572 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 09:07 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by marjanc
Forget snowshoes, get crampons.....
I went to Goat Mtn. today to test crampons (borrowed) which I have never used before. And... my snowshoes will be retired, and I will probably go for Cassin C12 or Black Diamond Sabretooth.
Crown Mtn, here I came...... In January, of course....
Avalanches... Who cares , I have crampons......
Great. Have fun stomping up through knee deep snow with your crompons...they'll work really well all balled up with soft snow underneat them.
Snowshoes and crampons each have their own utility and optimal environment. VERY RARELY do those optimal envionments come close to overlapping. If you start to posthole, you should have snowshoes. If it's hard and slick, you should have your crampons. You wanna retire your snowshoes for the winter, your choice. Just enjoy the limited options with just your crampons.
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A trip is about the journey as much, if not more than about the destination. What is the joy in reaching your destination if you've ignored everything along the way?
Alex Lowe said it best: "The best climber is the one having the most fun."
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 Big pack hiker who sleeps with bears in tent and falls on slippery logs
Langley, BC
Canada
7647 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 09:34 AM
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I carry them both during the winter. Then I can pretty much go where I want and adjust as I reach areas with differing needs.
Marjan's comments are pretty true of some of the "trampled" routes on the North Shore. I zinged past people last year at Seymour while wearing my Grivel 12 points. They were sliding all over the place in their snowshoes. But after hitting the first peak, you needed your snowshoes to effectively get to the second. |
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opinionated-stove huggin'-fleece wearin'-arse burnin' hill virgin
Here
Canada
4642 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 09:46 AM
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After Sat., I'm convinced that taking both is worthwhile. Last year, snow conditions were such that I used my crampons about as much as I used my snowshoes on the northshore peaks too. I'm hoping we get that nice deep snow we have had in the past!
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....."Know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free." |
Edited by - Hiker Boy on 12/08/2003 09:49 AM |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
412 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 6:06 PM
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| Attitude problem? Nervous or what? Whats wrong with creatures from the EVIL EMPIRE? |
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New Westminster, BC
Canada
1138 Posts |
Posted - 12/08/2003 : 7:16 PM
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Great more gear to buy!!!
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"Anything is Possible" |
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Snowshoeing at Grouse Mountain
