Great point Zim, I have only really used them once, they were the black ones (they are better I'm told when exposed to UV, don't know about cold) and they worked as usual, it was only 20 something though. Also, be sure to have a way to get the damn things off, a knive or something, Lucky for me where I ended up someone did, otherwise I'd been chewing it off! I have a pair of Tubbs snowshoes, just hiked a mile in them yesterday, they probably would take a while to pack out a runway due to their small size, they fit in a pack and are light anyway. I'll probably find this out the hard way.....

I have climbed many mountains with my MSR Denali's, great snowshoe for side-hilling. Probably to small for rwy making though.


Solo attempt at Crestone Needle - failed.

Electrical contractor supply outfits sell zip ties that have a metal core. MUCH more sturdy. The local A/P uses them on aircraft, and they hold up a lot better than standard ones. Harder to find, however.

MTV

Figured out a good use for some old snowshoes. Snowshoe wreath.

I must admit to being an old fogey - I like my wooden snowshoes. I've tried the more modern types but the old-school ones have them beat in terms of durability, ease of field repairs, and effectiveness in deep snow.

I also use home-made bindings made of lamp wick. They weigh nothing and, if tied right, you can get in and out of them hands-free.

It is true that the wood snowshoes ("Trail", or "Yukon" type) are harder to stow in the airplane, but they do look pretty cool strapped to the struts!

I wear Steger mukluks in the 'plane which, again, are very light-weight. warm and ideal for snowshoes. I also carry "Bunny Boots" (the Canadian military version made by Sorel) for when the going gets a bit too wet for the mukluks. They reside in the baggage compartment of the PA-12 since I find it too cumbersome to get in and out of the 'plane while wearing them.

Cold-weather clothing and footwear really deserves a thread of its own.

The type of snowshoes that works best will depend on the conditions you’re in.

For ski flying I like big shoes, like real big. Typically, I’d be in very deep snow and need big shoes to tramp out takeoff path.

The small shoes you see around in many outdoor stores to me are a joke. They’re useless in deep snow, and if snow isn’t deep, I’d rather post hole, unless it’s crusty.

MTV