**Historical Development and Cultural Significance**:
– Snowshoes were invented around 4,000 to 6,000 years ago, possibly originating in Central Asia.
– Various cultures, including North American Indigenous peoples, developed different snowshoe styles.
– Samuel de Champlain mentioned large snowshoes used by Indigenous peoples for hunting and travel.
– Snowshoes were essential for travel in deep snow, historically used by fur trappers.
– Animals like the snowshoe hare inspired the creation of snowshoes.
– Indigenous peoples in North America developed diverse snowshoe styles based on regional conditions.
– Europeans slowly adopted North American snowshoes during early colonialism.
– Snowshoes became popular during conflicts like the French and Indian Wars.
**Traditional Snowshoe Designs and Evolution**:
– Traditional snowshoe designs include Teardrop, Trackers, Montreal Snow Shoe Club, and Bearpaw styles.
– Traditional snowshoes are made of a single strip of tough wood, usually white ash.
– Old-fashioned snowshoes are now mostly used for decoration.
– Aluminum snowshoes are preferred by many enthusiasts.
– Snowshoe design underwent a radical redesign in the late 20th century.
– Praters created the modern snowshoe design using aluminum tubing.
– Modern Western snowshoes incorporate technical advances in plastics and injection molding.
– Snowshoes today are divided into aerobic/running, recreational, and mountaineering types.
**Snowshoe Use and Techniques**:
– Snowshoes were crucial for winter travel in snowy regions.
– Snowshoes were a common element among tribes in snowy regions.
– Snowshoes were used by Europeans for travel and warfare in snowy terrains.
– Snowshoes work best with at least 8 inches of snow beneath them.
– Techniques like herringbone and sidestep borrowed from skiing can be used.
– Walking, turning, ascending, descending, and breaking trail techniques are employed with snowshoes.
– Snowshoes are often used with trekking poles for balance.
– Gaiters are used to prevent snow from entering boots in deep snow.
**Snowshoeing Benefits and Adverse Effects**:
– Snowshoeing expands winter exercise options.
– Over 500 American schools offer snowshoe programs to combat obesity.
– Gentler on feet compared to walking or running.
– Less detrimental to the environment, reducing trail erosion.
– Immoderate snowshoeing can lead to serious foot and ankle issues.
– ‘Mal de raquette’ or snowshoe sickness can be dangerous.
– Legs may take time to adjust to snowshoeing each winter.
– Lack of snowshoes can be life-threatening in remote areas.
**Snowshoeing in Winter Recreation and Competition**:
– Snowshoeing gained popularity among snowboarders for backcountry access.
– Downhill skiers use snowshoes to reach inaccessible areas.
– Snowshoe racing covers various distances, including sprints and 100km races.
– Snowshoe segments are common in multi-sport events and adventure races.
– Maintenance and repair of traditional and modern snowshoes.
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2020) |
Snowshoes are specialized outdoor gear for walking over snow. Their large footprint spreads the user's weight out and allows them to travel largely on top of rather than through snow. Adjustable bindings attach them to appropriate winter footwear.
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Traditional snowshoes have a hardwood frame filled in with rawhide latticework. Modern snowshoes are made of lightweight metal, plastic, and other synthetic materials.
In the past, snowshoes were essential equipment for anyone dependent on travel in deep and frequent snowfall, such as fur trappers. They retain that role in areas where motorized vehicles cannot reach or are inconvenient to use. However, their greatest contemporary use is for recreation.
Snowshoeing is easy to learn and in appropriate conditions is a relatively safe and inexpensive recreational activity. However, doing so in icy, steep terrain requires both advanced skill and mountaineering-style pivoting-crampon snowshoes.