20+ people are sporting new Dion running snowshoes thanks to the FLRC group purchase back in January, and since it looks like we’re going to have a big dump of snow on Friday, I’m hoping we’ll get enough for snowshoeing again.
If you’d like to learn more about your snowshoes and explore some gorgeous trails, join me for a clinic and group run on Sunday, February 27th at 9 AM at the Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve parking lot, off Ellis Hollow Creek Road by the gas plant (313 Ellis Hollow Creek Rd #183, Ithaca, NY 14850). Please fill out the poll if you’re planning to come so I can get a sense of group size. There’s probably parking for 10-12 cars in the lot.
- I’m coming and I have snowshoes
- I’d like to come and borrow snowshoes
0 voters
We’ll make sure everyone knows how to wear their snowshoes properly, and then head out for an easy pace run of around 2 miles. There are significant hills, but we’ll make sure everyone is in a group with others of their pace and collect up at intersections. If anyone is looking for more distance after the first loop, they can turn around and do it again in the other direction for completely different scenery.
If you don’t have snowshoes but would like to try them, vote appropriately and post below too so we can see what’s possible. I have one pair of older Redfeather snowshoes to loan out, and a number of other @snowshoers do as well, so if they come, we’ll have a few pairs to share.
Finally, if sufficient snow doesn’t develop, you’re welcome to come anyway and we’ll do a group run around Ellis Hollow on the roads. I’ll post a trails conditions update here on Saturday.
Consider yourself invited: @caitlin-loehr, @Jamie, @Sandy, @julie19, @JoshB, @Gretchen, @gplwoo, @hubitron, @kuwanna-dyerpietras, @gary, @mickiejauquet, @brian-lazzaro, @Dave_K, @esambo, @Brenda_Kirk, @apacheck, @anne-shakespeare, @ruth-sproul, @melissawallace, @tpdady, @tonya-engst, @bill, @nicholas, @vinny-cappadora, @kkanaley16, @ying, and anyone else who has snowshoes!
In terms of gear, dressing for snowshoeing is similar to running, with a few tweaks:
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Wear whatever running shoes you’re comfortable in.
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If you have them, I recommend wool socks. Your feet will get wet, and wool tends to be a good insulator even when wet. Or so the sheep claim.
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On your legs, I recommend two layers: a pair of normal running tights under nylon wind pants or something waterproof. Snowshoes kick up a lot of snow that hits the back of your legs, and normal tights will get soaked quickly. If you don’t have water-resistant pants, maybe try two pairs of tights.
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On top, layer as you normally would for winter running, but try to have a waterproof jacket as your outer layer. You’d be amazed how high the kicked-up snow goes on your back.
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Whatever gloves or mittens you normally wear are probably fine, but since you’ll need to bare your fingers to put on the snowshoes, err on the warm side.