This topic contains 54 replies, has 19 voices, and was last updated by 
raslas 15 years, 12 months ago.
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We had three cachers out today doing quite a bit of snowshoeing using shoes that are “Yukon Charlie” Fleet Farm specials but in all honesty look like twins to the Cabela’s at about 1/2 the price. Maybe there’s a difference in quality somewhere but at least they look very similar. So if you haven’t bought the Cabelas already, I would say at least take a look at Fleet Farm, Dunhams, Dicks, wherever.
They all worked fine as they usually do. I recommend poles. We had one person using 2 poles, one using one pole (me–one of my poles never recovered from the arduous trek out to the leg-killing SSSSeconds last year), and one using no poles, based on personal preference. I do think poles (well, “pole”) is very handy for stability, hill climbing, and getting your tukkus up when you fall down, which you will do sooner or later, especially if go off trail.
On the Left Side of the Road...I did one cache today in the Appleton area and wish I had put mine in the car. I was planning on mostly urban caches so left the shoe home.
I see that Sam’s Club is carrying them also. Not 100% sure but I think the brand is Yukon Charlie. Some lady there was telling me they will be just fine. She said they snowshoe and xcountry ski alot. But she also mentioned that Red Feather (I think) is made right in LaCrosse. She said they cost a little more but they are a good snow shoe. Now I just need to talk the other half into it!!
Tried mine out for the 1st time this year. Didn’t really need them thou. We didn’t get the snow that other parts of the state got.
Lonely Cache Game find.
The Blondie Bloodhound at Gumdrop Island. GC112DYSometimes snowshoes are your primary and only mode of transportation in the Nort Woods for winter caching.
We use Redfeathers without poles as they seem to be more of hinderance than anything. Especially moving through heavily wooded areas and up and down the steep banks of the lakes.
➡ ‘Shoes are great and sure beats having to be half-stepping up to your ying yang in deep snow. Dress in layers and have plenty of fluids with you as you will get a work out.
But what fun!
SGH & BB
@raslas wrote:
I see that Sam’s Club is carrying them also. Not 100% sure but I think the brand is Yukon Charlie. Some lady there was telling me they will be just fine. She said they snowshoe and xcountry ski alot. But she also mentioned that Red Feather (I think) is made right in LaCrosse. She said they cost a little more but they are a good snow shoe. Now I just need to talk the other half into it!!
got my “Yukon Charlies” at Sam’s for last Christmas. I think they are working fine but haven’t used any others to compare. Only thing that I did notice was that the Iceman boots may be a bit large as they scrape the front pivot opening for the shoe, so I may not be as stealthy as I like to be. Still need to try them out this year with a smaller profile boot.
Disclaimer : Always answering to a higher power.
We have the old school wood and sinew ones, which we used when we did Eagle Source and a few others. Although they are heavier and a person can tire from the unaccustomed stride, they can’t be beat for really deep snow.
Last year we got some of the sporting goods store aluminum frame ones described. They have been great for trail running and we have probably already gotten our investment back.
SGH, what time of year did you do Gumdrop Island? That’s one we hope to do on hard water.
@Trekkin’ and Birdin’ wrote:
SGH, what time of year did you do Gumdrop Island? That’s one we hope to do on hard water.
We used the same approach that the TE’s had used. From the West off of Day Lake Road. Check out our log link previously posted.
➡ We did not consider Cathedral Point from the East as we had been told by locals of the current that runs in the narrows there.
Our sojourns to the island were in Jan. and Feb in 2008. Then the ice is typically is some 26 plus inches thick.
➡ As an aside, that island was used in the filming years ago of the Hamm’s beer commercial. From the Lands of Sky Blue Waters
Try humming that as you are half-steeping in the woods. ❗
Happy shoeing.
SGH & BBI took a quick look at the Yukon Charlies at Wally World today. The big ones(up to 300#) were just under $100. They looked like ok shoes.
DP. GRRRRRRRRR! 👿
@codejunkie wrote:
@sandlanders wrote:
Can you find a place to rent before buying? Or have someone who can lend you a pair of snowshoes?
I have rented both snowshoes and cross country skis at Bubolz Nature Preserve (Appleton) and Heckrodt Nature Preserve (Menasha). Both were part of school field trips and the equipment needs to be used on site.
You may want to check with the schools. I’m renting a pair from my local school district’s “Snowshoe Club” – which I didn’t even know existed. Cost is a steal – $10 for the “Holiday Break”, Dec 23. thru Jan. 4. One down side, no poles. Upside – you can go anywhere with them and the price for the time. Scheels in Appleton rents them for $10/day and that doesn’t include poles either!
@bakrdz wrote:
I’m renting a pair from my local school district’s “Snowshoe Club”
Maybe this club would like to go on an adventure (geocaching) and break some new trail. We could claim to be snowshoe newbies and just follow in the newly broken trails.
Santa was very good to me-I am now the proud owner of a pair on Yukon Charlie snowshoes complete with poles and a storage bag. I can’t wait to try them out.
I got some Yukon Charlies too!
This may have to be a late Christmas present for my wife and I.
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