My first snowshoe adventure January 26, 2009
Posted by yuling in Uncategorized.trackback
Yesterday I went snowshoeing for the very first time.
We went to a place called Garibaldi Provincial Park. It’s HUGE, we started off in the bottom left of the light blue side on the map. This starting point is the city of Squamish, famous for rock climbing, wind surfing, and about an hour’s drive north of Vancouver.
Taking a look at the close-up map, we basically climbed part of the Diamond Head area. Originally we had planned to make an overnight trip to Elfin Lakes – where you can camp in a cabin, then hike back. The total distance there would be 11 km. BUT, there was an avalanche warning so we didn’t want to risk it. Instead we just went to the first rest stop/cabin at Red Heather Meadows. The hike was around 5-6 km up the mountain.
Snowshoes look completely different than what I imagined. I always pictured putting tennis racquets on your feet. But they look so different now – basically short/wide skis wit grips on the bottom.
This is a view of Squamish from 1/2 way through the trail
Here’s the view of the mountains while we were eating lunch close to the top of our hike. It was gorgeous. AWESOME trip.
You can still get the traditional wood snoeshoes, but since the metal ones are more convenient, lightweight and increasing in ubiquity, the traditional ones are becoming more luxurious.
welcome to the BEAUTIFUL west coast man! you can now become an outdoors junkie like all of us =D