Snowshoe Advice for the Gatineau's

[HCcD]

As posted in today's Trirudy newsletter, some advice for those heading up to the Gatineaus this winter for snowshoeing ... though, may also apply to everyone else trekking outside this winter ...

SNOWSHOEING ADVICE
David McMahon & Lise Meloche   

Snowshoeing has taken-off in popularity particularly this year. The accessibility of the Gatineau Park, next to a major city, and recent snow-storms have resulted in a number of folks getting very lost.

· Join a guided group (eg., naturalfitnesslab)

· Tell people where you are going and when you expect to be back

· Don’t walk on ski trails (unless you are completely lost and in dire straights, and even then, only on the side of the trail)

· Don’t be too proud to ask directions or to turn around.

· The further you go from the parking lot, the softer the trail and more work involved

· Plan that snowshoeing will be twice as difficult as running the same distance

· Don’t under-estimate your fitness level for the sport

· Bring a small light or a big light at night

· Wear proper clothing

· Carry food and water

· Pack one extra layer if you are moving slowly

· Use a map and compass if you are unfamiliar with the trail

· Stay on the official trail

· If the trail is closed, it is because there are risks

· Pack a cell Phone in a weather-proof case

· Maybe a GPS watch with compass, if you know how to use it.



First establish (right out of your car) and maintain situational awareness:

· Keep your head-up and follow posted signs

· Make note of what direction you are traveling and the way back to your car

· Take note of topography (hills, streams, ponds)

· Recognize your own footsteps

· Learn to read the stars and sun (hint sun and starts rise in the East and set in in the West)

· The light from city of Ottawa is visible at night from anywhere in the park (it is south). If you head into the dark sky, there is nothing until you reach the North Pole.

· The sound of the city and highway is often heard coming from the south or south-east

· The Camp Fortune, communications tower strobes are visible from high ground

· Nearly all trails lead uphill from parking lots. The way home is likely down-hill

· Sometimes the snow-falls on one side of the trees from the last storm indicating a consistent direction (not always fool-proof)

· Make an arrow in the snow with branches in the direction you are travelling so if you know that you are not going in circles

· If you think you are lost - don't panic or do something stupider

· Going around in the same circles expecting a different result is tiring. Admit that you are wrong, stop and think.

· If you are lost, stay to a main trail and get to high ground. It is easier to find you. Going cross-country (off-piste) will make it harder to find you.



Thinking of freelancing & going off trail? Are you really sure? It is one thing to get yourself lost, but don’t do it at a place that will lead people off the official trail and get them lost too. There is a cost and risk to rescuing people. This is only recommended if you are in plain sight of at major feature or your car and if you are very experienced, fit and well prepared.


Don't hide from the rescue team. (Don't laugh, it happens more often then you think)
David  McMahon & Lise Meloche

gravity@xczone.com <http://www.trirudy.com/region/OE/members/profile.cfm?member=389>
www.xczone.com
"Living and coaching natural fitness through clean oxygen fed sport."
www.naturalfitnesslab.com
www.xczone.tv

[carm]

I was thinking that it might be useful to publish this awesome info in the Citizen. It's fine to tell triathletes and runners these tips, but what about the general population?!