Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Off-season Snowshoeing


Tis the season to be taking a break from running (for me anyway) to give the body a rest from the day in and day out trauma that the activity brings.  Last weekend William Emerson and I decided to head out to Mt. Hood for a slower paced and lower intensity adventure. SNOWSHOEING!!!! This is another really soulful way to enjoy the mountains and the snow at the higher elevations.  I picked up a pair of MSR snowshoes and dug out my snow gear from storage for our little 6-hour excursion.


We started up at The Timberline Lodge and headed out on the Timberline Trail (Pacific Crest Trail) towards Paradise Park.  The weather was a little drizzly at first but stopped shortly after we started.  The visibility wasn't great either but there was definitely some good snow up there at the higher elevations.

As you can see in the map above we started at The Timberline Lodge and worked our way west climbing and descending eventually all the way down to the Zig Zag River in the Zig Zag Canyon.  According to William's Suunto altimeter we climbed about descended about 2,000 feet and covered about 6 miles, which is a pretty good amount for snowshoeing!  I took some pretty good pictures but unfortunately I accidentally erased them when I got home....oops.  We had a really great time and I must say this was much more of a workout than I expected.

It was really nice to take in all the beauty that the mountains offer from a new lens and in a different season.  The last time I was out there prior to last weekend I was charging up and down the mountain in running shorts and a singlet in the Great NW Mountain Run.  Much different circumstances this time but just as enjoyable of an experience.

If you're looking for some off-season activity snowshoeing is a great low-impact and fun alternative to running.

Here is another video of us doing a loop to The Tilly Jane Cabin on the other side of the glorious Mt. Hood!

I may head back out there again this weekend!

7 comments:

lisa said...

I LOVE love love snowshoeing. It's my favorite winter activity. I've only been up on Timberline to do it once (a guided tour) and had a great time but the rest of the snowshoeing I've done in Bend. I liked it much better there but thought I'd give Timberline another try this winter. Were there a lot of skiers mad that you were in their way? I've heard that happens...

Yassine said...

Actually No Lisa...We didn't see anyone because we stuck mostly to the off-beaten path and trails. You're right though...great winter activity...You should give Hood another try...such a beautiful mountain! I'd like to check out Bend too...thanks for the idea. :-)

Derrick said...

Fun stuff. Very jealous of the snow. You may want to give snowshoe running a try if you haven't already.

Hone said...

I am jealous. This will be my first winter in 15 years where I will be living in a place without snow.

Yassine said...

Derrick: I have definitely done some snowshoe running in the past (I love it) but have been pretty adamant about no running...It actually has me rarin' to go in the next couple weeks. I do snowshoeing once a week and that's it! Definitely starting to feel re-charged!

Evan: Yeah, but now you got the Cali sun! and you're gonna rock it at HURT 100 :-)

Unknown said...

I want to live in that cabin;) tremendous video. When is your next road race my friend. I hope Farah and Erica are well. (I am not of facebook anymore but really would like to stay in touch)

Yassine said...

Thanks Malcolm...the family is doing so well...thanks for asking...hope yours is great too. My next race is in Feb....a 50-miler on trails/dirt roads...keep in touch for sure! :-)