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View Full Version : how much snow is too much without snowshoes?



wilconow
12-16-2005, 16:07
east coast, maryland section of the AT. how many inches is too much with just boots/shoes?

neighbor dave
12-16-2005, 16:15
knee high:welcome :clap :jump

Peaks
12-16-2005, 17:11
I usually wear snowshoes if there is more than say 6 inches of snow.

neighbor dave
12-16-2005, 17:19
i agree with peaks, so long as there is a good base, otherwise you'll still be steppin' on rocks! 6 inches isjust over your ankles!! hi pete!! how's it goin'??:clap :welcome

Spirit Walker
12-16-2005, 18:22
I agree - 6-8". Less than that and the walking is still easy. More than that and you are lifting your feet so high with every step it can be exhausting.

smokymtnsteve
12-16-2005, 18:38
depends on the moisture content of the snow...

I don't use SS until a least a foot of snow.

pipesmoke
12-16-2005, 19:48
That depends on how many people are in front of you. After six it is good walking.

Moxie00
12-16-2005, 20:31
I maintain my section on Saddleback and visit there all winter. It is heavely hiked in winter and usually the first batch of hikers have backcountry skis or snowshoes. Three or four days after a storm the trail is prettty well packed and can be hiked without snowshoes but I carry them. In the spring when the snow gets soft the packed snow is often well over 4 feet deep on the trail and you do need snowshoes in case you break through. Often streams flow under the packed snow and it creates an unnatural and very unsafe bridge.

Blue Jay
12-17-2005, 09:40
depends on the moisture content of the snow...


This is exactly correct. You can hike in waste deep snow, you just use all of your energy in a very short time. When pulling your feet out of a snow post hole and placing it into another is more work than carrying the snow shoes put them on. It also depends upon where you are hiking. Up here one side of the mountain could have 6 inches, the other side 18. I carry them often as I've found it's worth it not to have to turn back and get them.

smokymtnsteve
12-18-2005, 00:07
we have real dry powder up here... U actually need at least two feet of snow to consider breaking out my big 36" Red Feathers...

anything under that I just kick it out with bunny boots.

MedicineMan
12-18-2005, 02:53
4-6 inches of snow but covered completely with a 1/4 inch layer of ice...that was us 2 winters ago in central virginia....instep crampons are good things.