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Spending dough for the Snow - Dough for winter Snow Sports |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Thursday, 02 November 2006 |
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Page 5 of 12
 SNOWSHOEING
Celebrate quiet time with snowshoe trek
Looking for some quiet time in the pristine Rocky Mountains this winter? Strap on those snowshoes and hit the trails.
Wade Everitt of Fort Collins got into snowshoeing about five or six years ago. He bought his first pair of snowshoes for a field biology study in college and now uses them to get into the backcountry for snowboarding.
“It’s a great way to be out in the wilderness and hike in the winter,” he said.
His favorite places are up Cameron Pass.
“It seems a bit quieter and gets you away from crowds,” Everitt said.
He describes snowshoeing as a skilless sport.
Seth Murphy, manager at the Mountain Shop in Fort Collins, said it is pretty much like walking. The sizing of snowshoes is based on weight.
Men’s snowshoes tend to be wider and women’s snowshoes tend to be narrower.
“Waterproof boots are pretty darn important,” Everitt said.
Another important thing is knowing how to use rescue equipment and how to recognize avalanche terrain.
Murphy recommends taking an avalanche course before going into the backcountry. Courses are offered the second week in January at the Mountain Shop. Colorado Mountain School in Estes Park also offers avalanche courses.
“Snowshoeing is the least expensive way to get into the backcountry,” Murphy said.
Erin Frustaci
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ESSENTIALS
 Snowshoes
(start around $100
and go up to $300)
Waterproof boots: almost any boot or shoe will work with snowshoes
($50 and up)
Trekking poles
($30-$150)
Avalanche gear: Beacon, shovel and probe
($350-$800 combined)
Backpack for gear, food, water, extra clothing and essentials
($60 and up)
Prices from online research and area sports shops reflect a representative amount.
RENT IT
Rentals are available for around $8-$10 for a 24 hour period and are slightly reduced each day after that at Jax Outdoor Gear, 1200 N. College Ave., Fort Collins. The Mountain Shop, 632 S. Mason St., in Fort Collins rents them for $10, due back the next day and $5 for every additional day after that.
WHERE TO GO
Cameron Pass, Rocky Mountain National Park, on the other side of Berthoud Pass toward Winter Park, and Summit County (Breckenridge, Copper, Keystone)
GOOD TO KNOW
If you can walk, you can snowshoe. Just don’t overexert yourself, it’s a good workout. Once the equipment cost is covered, snowshoeing is a fairly inexpensive sport. If you plan on going into a National Park, you will need to buy a day pass.
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|  | Felix Wong is an outdoor enthusiast living in Fort Collins. A mechanical engineer by day, he is especially passionate about bicycling, running, and backpacking. | |
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| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
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