Bruce
That statement “the fastest path from A to B isn’t always a straight line” in reference to snowshoes is brilliant. And if followed (which means a map recon) would save a lot of SAR missions as I’m sure Eids would agree to.
My first experience with snowshoe’s in the early 70’s in Norway were standard mil issue wood with rawhide—great stuff for the deep powder there but when we got higher and it got icy—the Norwegian army we were working with had these neat little chain additions that you looped on. But then years later in AK (when among other things we did SAR) mil issue snowshoes were aluminum and nylon and heavy and no chain attachments provided or workable alternatives essentially they were worthless.
In recent years I have used the modern ones–but they lack any aesthetic value—so next year I’m gonna get those rabbit hunters with the beer bottle caps:D If for no other reason then they are pleasing to the eye when one looks down while sucking wind.
On a personal note–in the early 80’s when I was doing a security recon of the AK pipeline in one village we stopped in an elder had snowshoes of wood, aluminum, and whale bone hanging outside his home–I asked which are best–he pointed at the dog team we were driving-then pointed out back at his snow machine and said–that good for short runs–your team good for living–snowshoes good for walk to dance.:roll:
But Joe–I wouldn’t recommend a dog team to anyone that doesn’t enjoy lots of work.:lol:
Mike
