Yow(i)eeee!
Posted: Mon 07 Sep, 2009 8:08 pmTo continue the subject from the not-quite-Lake-Meston thread:
Picked up a little package on Friday (two, but that's another topic). And as I had to spend the morning in Traralgon, I decided that Wonnongatta Moroka was the closest and best spot to find some snow in which to try things out. Of course, there was far less snow up there than usual for this time of year - the thaw's started early - but I found enough up past the Mount Lookout carpark.
So - the verdict on Yowie snowshoes?
1) Brett's right when he says the harness looks insanely complicated. But it's actually quite simple when you look at the instructions AND FOLLOW THEM PRECISELY. Took me five minutes to put the pair on the first time, and that's with readjusting everything twice to make sure they were right. And once fitted properly there's no slippage or other movement.
2) Had plenty of doubts about all the hype about walking style. But they're right: you can walk pretty well normally without any hassles. Backwards, sideways, turning, crossovers, a little hop, skip and jump . . . They look like you should trip over the curly front, but you don't. While my stride is a bit long for my height, it's also narrow and straight (no pigeon-toes or duck-footedness here), and the only adjustment I had to make was to swing the foot forward a little wider than usual. Took about ten minutes max to get used to it.
3) Running? Well, they said you could, so I had to try, didn't I? Just jogged along for 50 yds or so on a reasonably straight, flat section. No sweat (well, it was a little cool up there). Felt almost normal.
4) Effort? Little harder than walking on grassy ground in boots, most of the time. Easier sometimes. Hit a few patches of rotten snow and went in a bit, but otherwise they held me up beautifully.
5) Terrain? I went up hills and down them, straight and diagonally, contoured them. Handled it all without any hitches. They kick up a little snow at the back on the downhill, but it doesn't go any higher than calf level. Bit awkward if there's a lot of climbing over fallen trees. Crossed a few section of open ground, mainly snowgrass with a few small slightly boggy sections. That was easier than without the snowshoes - they flatten out the tussocky ground and keep you up off the worst of the wet stuff. You could cross sphagnum without doing much damage, even with the cleats in. I can't help wondering whether they'd work in typical Tassie mud . . .
6) Speed? Surprising. Went from the Lookout carpark up to the summit then south along the ridge to the little bluff above the Gorge and down to Kelly's Lane where the car was parked. About 3 1/4 hours all up. Which is probably how long it would take in boots without the snow (or the camera).
7) Efficiency? Did a 50yd section with the Yowies, took them off and walked back in boots - as much as possible stepping in the prints. And how deep were the prints?
Minimum depth of platform: 2mm. Maximum depth: 1 1/2 inches.
Minimum depth of boot: 1 inch. Maximum depth: 8 inches.
No contest. They work. No deep powder up there so can't vouch for that, but they work beautifully in everything else.
Any negatives? Well, no piece of gear is perfect.
1) Sizing. I wear a 6 1/2 - 7 wide women's boot. Although that means using the middle markers on the platform, I'd be surprised if a smaller boot could be secured properly as there wasn't any leeway. Definitely not for kids unless they're wearing skiboots.
2) The cleats do collect compacted snow/ice. You can feel the extra weight when this happens. But it is easily removed with a trekking/ski pole (if you've taken one with you). And you can do it with the shoes on.
To summarise - it pains me to agree with corby, but he's right: why buy an imported product when there's a high-quality locally owned and built option, designed for Australian conditions? I'd recommend them without hesitation.
Picked up a little package on Friday (two, but that's another topic). And as I had to spend the morning in Traralgon, I decided that Wonnongatta Moroka was the closest and best spot to find some snow in which to try things out. Of course, there was far less snow up there than usual for this time of year - the thaw's started early - but I found enough up past the Mount Lookout carpark.
So - the verdict on Yowie snowshoes?
1) Brett's right when he says the harness looks insanely complicated. But it's actually quite simple when you look at the instructions AND FOLLOW THEM PRECISELY. Took me five minutes to put the pair on the first time, and that's with readjusting everything twice to make sure they were right. And once fitted properly there's no slippage or other movement.
2) Had plenty of doubts about all the hype about walking style. But they're right: you can walk pretty well normally without any hassles. Backwards, sideways, turning, crossovers, a little hop, skip and jump . . . They look like you should trip over the curly front, but you don't. While my stride is a bit long for my height, it's also narrow and straight (no pigeon-toes or duck-footedness here), and the only adjustment I had to make was to swing the foot forward a little wider than usual. Took about ten minutes max to get used to it.
3) Running? Well, they said you could, so I had to try, didn't I? Just jogged along for 50 yds or so on a reasonably straight, flat section. No sweat (well, it was a little cool up there). Felt almost normal.
4) Effort? Little harder than walking on grassy ground in boots, most of the time. Easier sometimes. Hit a few patches of rotten snow and went in a bit, but otherwise they held me up beautifully.
5) Terrain? I went up hills and down them, straight and diagonally, contoured them. Handled it all without any hitches. They kick up a little snow at the back on the downhill, but it doesn't go any higher than calf level. Bit awkward if there's a lot of climbing over fallen trees. Crossed a few section of open ground, mainly snowgrass with a few small slightly boggy sections. That was easier than without the snowshoes - they flatten out the tussocky ground and keep you up off the worst of the wet stuff. You could cross sphagnum without doing much damage, even with the cleats in. I can't help wondering whether they'd work in typical Tassie mud . . .
6) Speed? Surprising. Went from the Lookout carpark up to the summit then south along the ridge to the little bluff above the Gorge and down to Kelly's Lane where the car was parked. About 3 1/4 hours all up. Which is probably how long it would take in boots without the snow (or the camera).
7) Efficiency? Did a 50yd section with the Yowies, took them off and walked back in boots - as much as possible stepping in the prints. And how deep were the prints?
Minimum depth of platform: 2mm. Maximum depth: 1 1/2 inches.
Minimum depth of boot: 1 inch. Maximum depth: 8 inches.
No contest. They work. No deep powder up there so can't vouch for that, but they work beautifully in everything else.
Any negatives? Well, no piece of gear is perfect.
1) Sizing. I wear a 6 1/2 - 7 wide women's boot. Although that means using the middle markers on the platform, I'd be surprised if a smaller boot could be secured properly as there wasn't any leeway. Definitely not for kids unless they're wearing skiboots.
2) The cleats do collect compacted snow/ice. You can feel the extra weight when this happens. But it is easily removed with a trekking/ski pole (if you've taken one with you). And you can do it with the shoes on.
To summarise - it pains me to agree with corby, but he's right: why buy an imported product when there's a high-quality locally owned and built option, designed for Australian conditions? I'd recommend them without hesitation.
