2 comments about Snowshoeing Colorado, 3rd Edition.

1. I own a lot of summer and winter trail guides, and this is one of the best. It's quality and quantity, with dozens of trails all over the state, and also tours, races and even a few tips on cool places to eat and stay. It has maps showing the trailhead locations, but I wish it had topos too. Oh well, you can't have everything--and topos are the only thing missing here.



2. I picked up this book at the local library, and now I plan to buy it. Claire really knows her topic! My only quibble with the book (2nd edition) is that in a few places she didn't delete information from the 1st edition, but merely superimposed a black box saying "trail closed" or "this restaurant is now closed". This is somewhat bizarre, and might be an editing/production error. In any case, this is a valuable guide that I want on my bookshelf!

4 comments about A Trailside Guide: Snowshoeing (Trailside Guides).

1. This book takes you through the history of the snowshoe both past and current. Other sections concentrate on the different types of equipment needed for wintery travel and camping. If you know nothing about snowshoeing or winter camping make this your first book.



2. You can lump most of the newer snowshoe books together, and they are, ho hum, all about the same, that is not very good. They seem to be written by people that claim to be experts about everything to do with the outdoors, but I am not impressed with their knowledge of snowshoes or snowshoeing. "Hey everybody, lets go out and spend $300 on little dinky plastic and aluminum snowshoes, because it is THE thing to do", seems to be the battle cry of all these people. They always fill their books with lots of pictures of people climbing mountains, in attempt to impress us I guess. This is really impractical for a beginner, who is the real targeted audience for these books. The exception to this is the snowshoe book, "The Essential Snowshoer" recently written by Zwosta and even better the oldie "The Snowshoe Book" by Osgood and Hurley. These are better books, that explain the sport better, both past and present.



3. The best outdoor guides I've ever read. This book targets the recreational snowshoer who might do strenuous day hikes, but doesn't attempt to be a detailed manual for the fanatic spending a week snow camping. IMHO, the book succeeds admirably in meeting the needs of its target audience. It covers all the basics - gear, clothing, the few elements of technique required for snowshoeing, and safety. The prose is very accessible, the pictures add a lot of warmth to the text, and there's even a chapter on snowshoe running. The author captures the feel of the snowshoes rather well and I often found myself nodding my head in agreement with the tips for climbing, descending and traversing that I had to learn by hard experience. I live in California and usually snowshoe in much warmer weather (mid-30s F) than the northeast or midwest, so the clothing suggestions are way too conservative for me - but that's the only fault I could find with the book.



4. The best outdoor guides I've ever read. This book targets the recreational snowshoer who might do strenuous day hikes, but doesn't attempt to be a detailed manual for the fanatic spending a week snow camping. IMHO, the book succeeds admirably in meeting the needs of its target audience. It covers all the basics - gear, clothing, the few elements of technique required for snowshoeing, and safety. The prose is very accessible, the pictures add a lot of warmth to the text, and there's even a chapter on snowshoe running. The author captures the feel of the snowshoes rather well and I often found myself nodding my head in agreement with the tips for climbing, descending and traversing that I had to learn by hard experience. I live in California and usually snowshoe in much warmer weather (mid-30s F) than the northeast or midwest, so the clothing suggestions are way too conservative for me - but that's the only fault I could find with the book.

3 comments about Snowshoe Routes: Oregon.

1. Bountiful deep snow
   With Shea's book on Cascade slopes
   Snowshoe peace beckons...

   In short (to the Haiku challenged), this book rocks! If you're a Cascadian geek who loves the winter, the book will undoubtedly treat you well.




2. I found Snowshoe Routes of Oregon to be a great resource as my interest in snow shoeing has grown. The book offers a range of routes for varying levels of skill and/or physical fitness. THe author obviously knows the country he is writting about as well as he knows snowshoeing. The book is both an excellent guide and a great introduction to the budding snowshoe enthusiast.



3. Being an expert sledder, I always scoffed at snowshoers as those hippy-skippys who couldn't afford a snowmobile. Until one fateful day, while waiting for the dentist to remove my first and last wisdom tooth, I browsed through this book by Andersen and became immediately enchanted. Not one to judge a book by its cover, I tried out three different routes as outlined by Andersen and found that he did a masterful job guiding me through the mountains, around the crags and over the criks. The route finding and subsequent snowshoe up (and sled down) of Tumulo mountain will always remain as one of the most special and beautiful day hikes I have done. I felt as if he were but a hundred yards ahead beating a trail through the wilderness for me, not too close but never too far. I loved this book enough to buy my six copies, give them out to fellow sledbums and return the other to the dentist. All told, a great inspirational and practical guidebook, would that there were more like it!

No comments about Snowshoe Routes: Northern California.

5 comments about Snowshoe Routes Colorado's Front Range.

1. Apt's introduction does an outstanding job of discussing why this is such a popular sport, reviewing critical equipment decisions, and providing logical cautions relevant to the experienced as well as novice showshoe advocate. The trails are well defined, the information is accurate, and the writing style is casual with a sense of humor. Apt really did his homework and provides trail recommendations that are appropriate for EVERY skill level - even family outings! Great book and "must have" reference for outdoor lovers.



2. Alan Apt does a great job of describing every aspect of snowshoeing. The text is organized logically which makes it easily accessible. For anyone who enjoys the outdoors and lives along the Front Range this book is a must. Also, the two women pictured on the inside of the cover are a beautiful addition.



3. Whether you are new to snowshoeing or a long-time enthusiast, Alan Apt's book will have valuable information for you. The book is carefully researched and skillfully drafted.In adition to the detailed description of each trail, you will find a coherent discussion of safety, winter clothing, gear and other pertinent issues.



4. It seems to me that the author writes his memories of all these trails and it is interesting information. However, quite incomplete as to what I am looking for. The maps are so minimalistic, it is a joke. Having on the same map how to get to the trailhead AND the hike itself cannot work. If you get lost on the trail on a snowday, this book will not help you avoid a night in the mountains. No topos, not even indications of summits and other recognizable viewpoints.
   Regarding avalanches, some information is given but again, very vague. No committment from the author is given, no useful information as to alternate routes in case of avalanch risk.
   To summarize, this book is valuable from a tourist standpoint, that wants to know where in the mountains there are interesting hikes and what is interesting about them. Now, if you are looking for a guide book, that will allow you to go there on a snowy day, improvise a little, don't get this one.
   I don't have any recommendations for another one, as I have not found that other book yet.



5. As a long term hiker but relatively new to snowshoeing, this book was a Godsend. I really appreciate the maps, the personal views, the tips to make things go easier. It's like having a top notch snowshoeing expert showing you tips and tricks he has picked up from many, many hours on snow shoes. Makes the whole experience much more enjoyable. I can highly recommend this book. Well worth the money.

1 comments about Snowshoe Trails of Yosemite.

1. Haven't had a chance to use the knowledge gained in reading this book but am fired up to head to Yosemite.

5 comments about Snowshoe Routes Washington.

1. This winter I went snowshoeing for the first time, and this was the guide that I used. Nelson provides a helpful resource for those searching for a nice trail or a backcountry spot to take on during a nice winter day. I found his directions and descriptions both informative and fun. If you live in the Northwest and own a pair of snowshoes, or want to try it for the first time -- as I did with a few friends -- than this book is well worth the cost!



2. A good general guide to snowshoeing in Washington. The trail descriptions are detailed, also provides elevation gain, mileage, and seasonal information. There is also information about road access which is especially essential in winter.

   One thing I always tend to harp on with these types of guidebooks is maps. In this case they are somewhat lacking. My feeling is that if you are going to include one then make it good and useful. Otherwise this is a good all around guide-book. Its one of many publishes by 'The Mountaineers'. There guidebooks are generally very high quality and I've read many in coming to that conclusion.




3. This is a great guide with a nice description about the sport in the introduction. The routes that are covered feature everything from casual day hikes to extreme outdoor winter camping excursions. They also cover the whole state. I highly recommend this guide to any snowshoe fan!



4. I've only done a few of the routes described in this book so far, but the author appears to have done a great job of choosing and describing snowshoe routes in the region.
   
   The overview table in the appendix is especially useful when deciding where to go, though I wish more information (such as the region, required parking permits and avalanche exposure) was shown there.
   
   There are some black and white photos scattered throughout the book. Sometimes they are useful, sometimes less so (a close up photo of a snow-covered branch may be nice, but is not all that useful here).
   
   Estimating hiking times in winter is difficult: Under poor conditions a route can take twice as long as under optimal conditions. Too bad the conditions on which the indicated times are based are not described.
   
   The full-page overview map at the front of the book is sad. For example, it does not include a single road or geographical feature (apart from two rivers) NE of Seattle! It does give you an idea about what routes are in the same region, at least.
   
   Two common features I've grown accustomed to but that are missing from this book are trailhead coordinates and elevation profiles. This is surprising, given that Mountaineers Books has at least one other series ("Day Hikes") that contains all this information.
   
   But the single biggest issue I have with this book is the complete lack of topographic information on the route maps. Summer hiking books that follow marked trails may be able to get away with this, but not this kind of book. The problem here isn't that I don't want to bother carrying a separate map, but that I sometimes have a hard time transferring a route from the book onto the map. Even with the descriptions in the text, which sometimes reference unreliable and changing features such as "turn at the end of the groomed track".
   
   Still, this is the only Washington snowshoeing book I was able to find, so I'll keep using it until something better (or an improved edition) comes along.



5. The author of the book completely neglected to include any trials near or around Spokane. Mt. Spokane, Tower Mt., etc. there are SO MANY. The book should be titled "Snow showing withing 1 hour of Seattle..."

3 comments about The Snowshoe Experience: A Beginner's Guide to Gearin Up & Enjoying Winter Fitness (Get Out & Do It! Guide).

1. This is a very well written, easy to read guide to the sport of snowshoeing, which wold be a lot better if the author was not so adamant about her dislike for wood-framed snowshoes. Her beliefs, based evidently on a single bad experience an untold number of years ago, are that traditional wooden snowshoes are "heavy" and "awkward", causing the user great pain because of "lack of traction...exhaustion and soreness brought on by the straddle walk" and "wearying waddle gait". Well, I have been using Maine-style wood and rawhide snowshoes for almost 40 years and I have never "waddled" nor experienced the balling up of snow she complains about. This might all be excusable if she didn't literally add insult to injury by referring to myself and those like me who prefer wood-framed snowshoes as "iconoclastic Luddites". Obviously, Ms. Walter has never taken to the snow on a pair of Ojibwe or Green Mountain-style snowshoes, many of which are no wider than their modern, aluminum and nylon bretheren. Traction can be added simply by clamping a pair of removeable crampons to the 'shoe under the feet, and good bindings can make all the difference in the world.
   
   All that being said, the book is extrememely well written, and informative even for the experienced snowshoer. She even talks eloquently about the history of traditional snowshoes. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on "The Winter World" about things to watch for (and watch out for) while snowshoeing. I just hope that before she revises the text, Ms. Walter opens her mind a bit, and tries some properly fitted traditional snowshoes.



2. This a great book. I have purchased 5 copies over the past two years and given them to friends and students that are interested in snowshoeing. The author knows what she is talking about! You do not have to have a lot of previous experience to enjoy this book. I highly recommend this publication for beginner and intermediate level snowshoers.



3. A good book for learning about snowshoeing. It includes the history of snowshoes, how to snowshoe, and even some things to enjoy along the way - i.e. animal tracks in the snow.

1 comments about AMC's Best Day Hikes in the White Mountains: Four-Season Guide to 50 of the Best Trails in the White Mountain National Forest.

1. This book is an updated version of the previous "Nature Hikes In the White Mountains, 2nd: Great Family Hikes in the Heart of the White Mountain National Forest." The older version had a definite focus on kids & family. For example, each trip description had a "What's in it for kids" section that was very helpful. You have to dig deeper for that in this version.
   
   This new version greatly improved the "at-a-glance" trip-planner chart toward the front. It was frustrating that the old chart excluded essential information such as trip numbers corresponding to the guide map, estimated hike time and elevation change. All of this you had to pencil in for yourself from the main descriptions. These are all now included, along with icons indicating if the trip has waterfalls, views, wildlife, wildflowers, steepness, is family oriented, suitability for skiing or snowshoeing, etc.
   
   I ordered the old version (out of print) from a used shop and it was our bible on a recent multi-day vacation with our 7-year-old budding hiker. I highly recommend that version, but you can probably enjoy the same results by focusing on the new at-a-glance chart and picking the kid friendly trips. That being said, in this new version, Crystal Cascade, Glen Ellis Falls, the Flume at Franconia Notch and Diana's Baths (all VERY kid oriented trips that we thoroughly enjoyed) are relegated to a general section on natural attractions/walks and are NOT on the new guide map! As a new visitor, I probably would have missed these altogether since the trip descriptions were de-emphasized by being relegated to the back of the book in this way. I made the right decision to leave the new version at home, but purists probably would not have minded missing these as they were a bit over-touristed.
   
   So, mixed results depending on your needs. A great set of guides overall.

3 comments about Building Snowshoes and Snowshoe Furniture.

1. Great detailed information on a nearly dead art form, making snowshoes. The sections on snowshoe furniture are terrific, tons of example and ideas. Detailed, concise information on the best wood, drawing and plans for the molds and information on "How To" do instead of just pictures of completed product. The most complete resource I've found anywhere!



2. I was actually looking for a nativist type manual on snowshoes, so I was not too taken with the idea of using nylon cord instead of rawhide for the webbing, but the illustrations are superb. If you are perplexed on how to "weave" snowshoes, this book is great. Also the author recommends boiling wood to soften it for shaping, instead of the more conventional steaming approach, and seems to not notice that boiling changes the structure of wood much more than steam. Good/Great descriptions of the various styles of snowshoes, furniture ideas are OK but not innovative. A good resource for starting out, not as much "needed" for experienced woodworkers.



3. Found the book very helpful. We are repairing old wooden snowshoes and
   required instructions on lacing. The book both illustrates and tells you
   how to go about it and also makes suggestions as to what to use. We had
   found a supplier of rawhide, but nylon rope would have been easier to get.
   Recommend the book for anyone interested in repair work or in building
   snowshoes themselves.