Re: Klondike (Snowshoes)
Amick Robert (amick@SPOT.COLORADO.EDU)
Thu, 12 Dec 1996 09:29:09 -0700
On Thu, 12 Dec 1996, Kirkland, Chuck wrote:
> One of the events to be held is the 2nd annual snowshoe race. Last year
> we were poorly prepared.(Too many of us southern born scouters who know
> little about snow much less snowshoes). Looking for ideas on how to
> inexpensively build snowshoes.
Many troops in the snowy states build snowshoes from pvc conduit/pipe. A
mold is made of wood to form the pipe around. The pipe is then placed
in a metal container of heated sand for a pre-determined time, then
removed and formed around the mold while still "malleable"
This permits the making of a perfectly formed "trail" style snowshoe.
Lacing with nylon pack fabric and cord then completes the construction for
fitting snowboots onto the snowshoes.
There was an article in either Boy's Life or Scouting magazine concerning
this project some years ago. It may also be covered in "Woods Widsdom"
but I don't have a copy handy to verify.
The snowshoes are very durable and will probably outlast the older wood
and rawhide lacing versions used for many years. They are far less
expehnsive to construct than to buy commercial versions, either plastic,
metal, or wood.
Bob Amick, Explorer Advisor, High Adventure Explorer Post 72, Boulder, CO
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
