December 2016 | MensHealth.com 493 / SNOWSHOEING
Consider this a wilder, more adventurous ver-
sion of hiking that enables you to truly take the
path less traveled.
Way up in the frozen New England woods,
winter does nothing to slow down Al Sochard,
56, facilities director at Camp Newfound-
Owatonna in Harrison, Maine. “We have five
months of winter up here, so you either sit
inside or find a way to get out,” says Sochard,
who in summer is a dedicated ultrarunner
and hiker. His winter workout: snowshoeing.
The sport opens up an entire world of win-
ter wilderness, putting you in the middle of a
Robert Frost poem, says Sochard. The cold and
snow won’t slow down your adventures. Plus,
according to Sochard, snowshoeing is easy to
learn. “It’s great for people who are uncoordi-
nated,” he says. “Unlike with skiing, there isn’t
a learning curve and you don’t have to worry
about crashing into a tree.”
But that doesn’t mean snowshoeing is for
the uninspired: Sochard summited all 48 ofthe 4,000-plus-foot New Hampshire peaks in
a single winter. He also used snowshoes when
he climbed Denali, the highest peak in North
America. “Winter is my favorite time of year.
I won’t stop or slow down,” says Sochard. “It’s
a way to get exercise, sure. But it’s also a way
to explore. I can look out and see someplace I
want to go, and I go.”
LEARN THE BASICS Generally, snowshoeing is
no different than walking. In deeper snow and
when you’re moving uphill or downhill, you
want to take heavier, more confident steps.
But be sure to test your footing
first so the snow doesn’t col-
lapse under your weight, even
with the buoyancy the shoes
provide. Bring a small backpack
with plenty of water.
SHOP SMART The tricky part
is choosing the right equip-
ment. Will you be using your
snowshoes to hike? You maynot want poles if you’re running at full speed
on packed trails or logging roads, but a pair
of poles can be your best friend when you’re
trudging up steep hills in the backcountry.
Poles can also add an element of upper-body
conditioning to your workout. Trekking poles
are best; just change out the standard baskets
with larger snow baskets.
Make sure you select snowshoes that can
support your weight. The whole premise of
snowshoeing is to distribute your mass so you
don’t sink deeply into the snow. If you plan to
tromp on mostly level ground, look for a pair
of flat-terrain snowshoes, which are easy to get
into and out of; their traction systems aren’t
as aggressive as those on other types. If you’re
hiking hills or steep trails, go with rolling- or
mountain-terrain shoes, which have rugged
bindings and sharp metal teeth for clawing
into steep, icy hills.
HEAD OUT AND EXPLORE Because snowshoeing
is more about enjoying the calm serenity of
the woods than jacking up your heart rate,
you’ll want to dress heavier. Sochard likes to
wear a light, wicking long-sleeved shirt under
a non-insulated, weatherproof shell. Carry a
headlamp if you plan to go out at night or are
headed deep into the exposed backcountry.
Take avalanche safety classes and bring the
right equipment (shovel, transceiver, probe)
before you venture into areas where snowslides
are common. Unwitting snowshoers have been
killed in avalanches, even on trails.Where to Go
Crawford Notch
State Park,
New Hampshire
It’s a beautiful section
of the Appalachian
Trail, without
the crowds.“Few things are
as rewarding
as the glide
I feel, like I’m
in rhythm and
balance and
could go forever.”
GEAR UP!MSR EVO Snowshoes
Tackle hills and varying
snow conditions in these
durable shoes. Optional
6-inch tails boost the
weight limit from 180 to
250 pounds. $140, rei.comFitness + Muscle
Michelangelo Oprandi/Getty Images (snowshoeing)