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Mountaineering snowshoe advice needed.

Original Post
Kevin Hansen · · Melba Idaho · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 130

I don't want ski advice.
One day I will learn how to ski, but until then I need better snowshoes. I took some AT ski's into the Teton's last month and spent more time on my butt than gaining elevation.
I'd like some good snowshoes for steeper terrain. Have any advice?

sarcasm · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 445

Are you sure you don't want ski advice?

Kevin Hansen · · Melba Idaho · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 130
kevinhansen wrote:I don't want ski advice.
sarcasm · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 445

I think you do.

Kevin Hansen · · Melba Idaho · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 130
drmartindell wrote:I think you do.
Hmmm.
Let me go check.



Nope I don't

wingclips.com/movie-clips/t…
mark felber · · Wheat Ridge, CO · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 41

MSR Lightning Ascent. Sturdy, good traction, crampons and heel elevators for steep climbs. Once you get the bindings on properly, they will stay on no matter what until you want them to come off. Not cheap, but money well spent. cascadedesigns.com/msr/snow…

Jeffrey Addison · · Anaheim, CA · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 30

Only get MSR snowshoes. If you go to REI or go on a lot of different climbing sites that sell "slowshoes" you're gonna see these really big old-school looking shoes. The problem with most snow shoes is the crampon set-up is only on the toe and mid-sole. All of MSR's snow shoes have traction running down the sides of there frame which you'll need if you're traversing up some steep snowfield/slopes. Newer model MSR's also have the ascender for your heel which is awesome! MSR has smaller frames than you may see online but that really isn't as important if you're looking to climb big hills. You can also get the tail to help you out on unconsolidated slopes.

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180
kevinhansen wrote:I'd like some good snowshoes...
No such thing.
rebizap · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 0

I have and would recommend both the Tubbs Flex Alps and the Atlas Aspect. Both have full length traction down the sides and heel/lift bars. The Alps have a very aggressive crampon and are very durable with the plastic decking. The Aspect have a pack flat binding and the suspension system makes them comfy on the ankles on uneven terrain. I was just out on the Aspect today and if I had to pick between the Alps and Aspect I would choose the Aspect.

Petsfed 00 · · Snohomish, WA · Joined Mar 2002 · Points: 989

I'd also recommend the MSR Evo Ascent. Its the next generation of the Denali Ascent, which is, to the best of my knowledge, the only snowshoe designed, ground-up, for mountaineering. Everything else is an adaptation of other designs, with not necessarily useful features. When I can't ski, that's what I use.

Mikey Seaman · · Boise, ID · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 5

+1 for MSRs

sarcasm · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 445

I love my silvretta 404s...oh wait...I forgot, sorrryyy.

Woodchuck ATC · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 3,280

Flopping around with a big winter load on skinny skis has never worked for me either. I love my old school 46" Michigan' wooden frame snowshoes with a nice tail on them. Neoprene laced, not old rawhide. Lash on bindings are not the easiest to attach quickly, but can those shoes hold a load and float over/through deep snow easily. Doubt if they are even available many places anymore,but they sure have held up great for about 40 years now. I can't see how these little 26 inch or smaller things with a full fabric underside can give you any balance when loaded up with gear. New bindings are convenient, but I still bust through deep stuff in the big'uns.

After a 14 inch snowstorm this winter.

hikingdrew · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Jul 2013 · Points: 38

+1 on MSR Lightning Ascents..

trailrun.reynolds Reynolds · · Seattle · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 0

I have both MSR Denali Ascent and Atlas BC24 (currently Aspect 24). The Atlas slowshoes have a better crampon, and the reflex system (or whatever it is called that basically keeps the things from flopping about) is pretty nice. I really cannot think of a time that I would prefer the MSR over the Atlas. I am not saying the MSR is not a good snowshoe, I just think the Atlas BC slowshoes are superior.

But bc skiing with tech bindings kicks slowshoes ass all day.

Brandon L · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 0

I have a pair of Atlas MTN 1030's that work great for me. They have heel riser for hills and the SLS suspension to keep things from getting too awkward. If I get into anything too rocky, I'm probably above tree line and it is time to stash them and throw on microspikes or crampons anyway.

http://atlassnowshoe.com/snowshoes/10-series

Wyatt H · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 6

How about some Billy Goat Ascent Plates? Made for booting up steep soft snow.
Seriously, if you get some super short skis (>130cm) with Silvrettas, they will basically just be like snowshoes only you'll move a little faster. You don't need to actually "ski" with them (and with mountaineering boots, even most skiers couldn't "ski" with them anyway).

Ray Pinpillage · · West Egg · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 180
Woodchuck ATC wrote:Flopping around with a big winter load on skinny skis has never worked for me either.
A 180cm X 95mm ski has more surface area than your 40" snowshoe.
doligo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 264

Snowshoeing in Tetons gotta suck.

Like others said, you want skis. More specifically, Madshus Annum (formerly known as Karhu XCD Guides) with Silvretta bindings. There are other cross-country skis on the market that are cheaper than Madshus, but still have metal edges and waxless bases. They are way lighter than your AT skis, but still provide good flotation and let you make some tele turns. Don't be afraid of skis,with some snowshoes (esp. MSR Denalis) you end up tele-ing anyway, why not just get something better suited for it?

Mtn Ape XL · · Utah · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 131

MSR Evo Ascent with the optional tails have worked really well for me. I have used them on up to 55 degree slopes, on low angle ice, in heavy scrub oak and wooded conditions, climbing through snowy cliff bands on rock/ice/snow. Nowhere as fast as skis on open snowy terrain descending or ascending, however, we don't always have perfect open snowy terrain for ascending or descending do we? :)
Advantages over other brands are Televator heel riser bar for the steeper terrain, Evo Ascent packs flat when not in use, full length steel traction rails (excellent for traversing on steep icy or hard packed snow), the Unibody frame twists and flexes while traversing to allow the full length traction bars and the pivoting crampon to maintain constant contact with the angled slope, built in braking system for the downhill (careful...with the tails attached on the descent there is a tendency for the snowshoe to behave more like a ski if you are carrying a heavy load...they want to slide if you lean too far back on them in loose, deep, powdery conditions), you can run with them on hard packed trails when the tails are not attached, I have also used the binding system with only 2 of the 4 straps and my boot was held securely in place during the entire trip.
Advantages over the MSR Lightning would be a lighter weight snowshoe as well as a lower purchase price

Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945

Learn to use skis... if not i have the lightening ascents and they are amazing. but seriously learn to use skis!! infinitely more efficent.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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