Historians believe that snowshoes were invented about 8,000 years ago. Today, snowshoes are used to tour around snow-covered ground.
A lot of people love to do snowshoeing as an outdoor activity during winter. Many schools have already included snowshoeing as a physical activity in their curriculum as they are convinced it is an effective way of combating obesity.
Snowshoeing can burn up to 350 calories within 30 minutes. One of the rudiments of snowshoeing is stamping. This skill is necessary to get through light and powder-like snow. Here’s how it is done:
Stamp only when necessary
Stamping is more difficult than walking while snowshoeing. Walking on a snow is unlike the usual walking, though.
Stamping is done by lifting the shoe a little bit and then sliding it forward. Do the same step with the other foot until you have reached your destination.
This is the reason why snowshoeing is ideal on snow with at least 20cm depth. There are times when you are suddenly trapped on thicker snow that getting your feet out of it is more difficult. Stamping is necessary to get through this kind of snow.
Stamp while snowshoeing
To stamp while snowshoeing, you will need to strive harder to lift your foot up and carefully place it on the next step.
To do this, put your body’s weight on the right foot and then lift up the left foot. Stamp the left foot forward. Stamping here refers to the punching of the foot into the snow so that it creates a shoe print. Wait for some seconds and then slowly transfer your body weight to the left foot.
Lift up the right foot and then move it beside the left foot by stamping. Wait for a few seconds again and continue on stamping your feet until you are through the difficult snow.
Stamp when you want to leave a trail
In snowshoeing, the proper term for stamping is “breaking trail.” This name is given due to the clean trail that is left behind when stamping is done.
Usually, professionals do this on freshly fallen snow. Expect that stamping is more difficult than walking because the former requires using up to about 50 percent more of your energy.
You are on a good side if you are just following the trail because stamping is not necessary in your case. All you have to do is slide your snowshoes on the clean trail made by the person ahead of you.
Learn how to turn on the snow
Turn in a semicircle manner with one step. Be careful however because this technique requires practice before you can achieve the skill perfectly.
Most of the time ankle injuries result from practicing this technique. A safer way to do this is by lifting one foot in the air while keeping the other planted in the snow.
Put the lifted foot on about 180 degree angle and then stamp it on the ground. Lift the other foot and then lead it to the angled direction.
During your first snowshoeing attempts, you will most likely experience slight ankle and foot injuries. This is normal.
But when you have injuries, make sure to call your doctor. You may be required to have enough rest before going on snowshoeing again, that is, until next winter.
Safety is more important than outdoor winter fun, so better take enough rest even if it means sacrificing snowshoeing this year. Besides, it only takes some months of waiting.