The Snowshoe Handbook

Rating:
Summary: All but the prize
Review: I took the time to read Len McDougall's "The Snowshoe Handbook" cover to cover. It gave great up to date references, how-to's, real experience from a man who has snowshoed over 100 miles. What interested me in buying the book is the date it was created (not to old). It will tell you about what types of equipment to purchase, what to wear, how to wear, how to read a compass all the way to what you should eat. I was drilled into the book, but as the pages started to slip by one by one, I realized that one thing was missing. You see the book says "A state-of-the-art guide to equipment, skills, outfitting and more", well I hoped "more" meant "HOW TO WALK" advice. It covers everything but how to walk, turn, pivot, drop, craw, climb, etc.. I know once you start to snowshoe, it becomes easier to realize what to-do, but I am the type of person who likes to read what NOT TO DO, and avoid tearing my knees apart. OK, let me give the book some credit, it does tell you how to get through tough areas like high fresh powder, swamps, frozen lakes, and more, so if you have snowshoed a little bit your all set, but for the person who has not taken any steps yet, "there is something missing". Maybe I should just get out there and fill in the blanks, but as I paged through other books, it did have the basics steps/turn instructions in it, I just wanted a more recent book. All in all it a good book for everything you may want to know about snowshoeing except for the "basic" technique.

Rating:
Summary: All but the prize
Review: I took the time to read Len McDougall's "The Snowshoe Handbook" cover to cover. It gave great up to date references, how-to's, real experience from a man who has snowshoed over 100 miles. What interested me in buying the book is the date it was created (not to old). It will tell you about what types of equipment to purchase, what to wear, how to wear, how to read a compass all the way to what you should eat. I was drilled into the book, but as the pages started to slip by one by one, I realized that one thing was missing. You see the book says "A state-of-the-art guide to equipment, skills, outfitting and more", well I hoped "more" meant "HOW TO WALK" advice. It covers everything but how to walk, turn, pivot, drop, craw, climb, etc.. I know once you start to snowshoe, it becomes easier to realize what to-do, but I am the type of person who likes to read what NOT TO DO, and avoid tearing my knees apart. OK, let me give the book some credit, it does tell you how to get through tough areas like high fresh powder, swamps, frozen lakes, and more, so if you have snowshoed a little bit your all set, but for the person who has not taken any steps yet, "there is something missing". Maybe I should just get out there and fill in the blanks, but as I paged through other books, it did have the basics steps/turn instructions in it, I just wanted a more recent book. All in all it a good book for everything you may want to know about snowshoeing except for the "basic" technique.

Rating:
Summary: The Snowshoe Handbook
Review: With a love for winter and the activites associated with snow, I decided upon snowshoeing as my winter sport of choice. After a few winters of travel on my traditional Iverson snowshoes, I thought I would give the "newfangled" shoes a try. I needed information on purchasing a new pair. "The Snowshoe Handbook" was recommended to me by a friend and so I picked up a copy. I found this book filled with information to cover all aspects of snowshoeing. I was pleased to discover many helpful hints not only on the sport itself, but also on winter dress, navigation and emergencies. I would recommend this book to those beginning in the sport or to an advanced snow walker.