O.K. here's the scoop. Dear one and I have a big bunch of wood cut back in the woods, lots of time and no money. In Michigan it won't stop snowing. The stuff started way sooner than we usually get it and we only have about 1/2 our wood up to the house. Old Jenny (our Ford N) will not make it back there. We can toboggan it in but walking in snow up to the top of my short legs leaves me feeling like a heart attack is on the way for this old lady. Would like to make some snow shoes. I know I have seen it somewhere, maybe the magazine, but some of you a a far greater grasp of what is available than I do. Have tryed to search the archives but don't really have a clue where to look. thanks in advance. Diane in michigan

-- Diane Green (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), December 21, 2000

Answers

Diane, when I was a boy in North Dakota we needed snow shoes to hunt and trap in the coolies (gullies). The problem is in the binding or what you use to fasten the shoes to your feet. We made the shoes out of woven willow stems lashed to a larger willow "tear drop" frame. The shoe was tied on with twine and was a constant problem. You had to be very careful not to fall as it was hard to get up if you didn't twist something (more of an adult problem). We did not need them all the time and don't remember them lasting from year to year. Don't have any recent experience; since I divorced North Dakota, it got the snow and I moved to Arizona.

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), December 21, 2000.

Thanks for the post and for the humor. I like that, I have never even considered divorcing Michigan until this year. I don't know if it is age or what. Have made fun of the "snowbirds" of michigan all my life. We have a lot of willow back in the marsh edge, I might be fun to try. thanks again - diane

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), December 21, 2000.

Hi Diane,

There is a book out that details how to make snowshoes. The title is: Building Snowshoes by Gil Gilpatrick.

The instructions show how to make three different styles of snowshoes: Maine, Bearpaw, and Ojibway. The book is quite detailed with plenty of pictures and in-depth instructions with diagrams on lacing the main body.

I have the book but have never made the time to build any of them.

Here is a link to Amazon's site: Building Snowshoes by Gil Gilpatrick

I hope this is helpful.

-- Trath (trathca@yahooBLOCKED.com), December 21, 2000.

Diane, I don't know if they have it specifically, but the Rocky Mountain Survival Group site has some winter survival links. You might give them a look. It is at www.artrans.com.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), December 21, 2000.

my father made snow shoes out of pvc pipe.

-- Becky (Becktora@Webtv.net), December 27, 2000.