Local Winter Outdoor Adventures

12/14/09

Why our snow is SO light....

We spend a lot of time in our Wasatch Mountains skiing and snowshoeing, which sits right next to the Great Salt Lake. This simple fact of geography is the answer why we have so much deep LIGHT powder.

Storm clouds approaching from the NW pick-up moisture from the massive lake (which can be seen from outer space). Loaded with moisture, these systems hit the Wasatch Mountains and are forced over the mountain ranges losing the ability to hold moisture.

Our mountains become the recipients of the coldest, driest snow in the world. Just so you know, our snow averages a mere 6% water content…for example, compared to Whistler’s 15-20%.

12/6/09

Meet Tripod Jason - or at least half of him...

Meet the crazy side of Tripod Jason... We call him "Tripod" Jason because he loves nature photography and he used to carry a tripod on every hike but doesn't do that so much anymore. On this occasion while we were snowshoeing and Zipfy Riding at the Spruces, in Big Cottonwood Canyon, he decided to have some fun with the deep powder snow and go in 'head first' into this hollow area near a tree.

At first glance it may look like he crashed into this tree but instead he actually dug a hole into snow. This could have been a smaller snow cave even. I took this photo before we pulled him out. Come often and meet a lot of fun hikers and snowshoers that show up to our activities!

More amazing photos of Utah

Click here to check out a lot of amazing photos of Utah!

12/5/09

Jordan Pines Hike - December 5, 2009 - 10 degrees

http://picasaweb.google.com/FredPalmer1942/JordanPinesArea12509?feat=email#
Thanks to Fred for taking these photos in sub-degree weather!

Toward the last 10 minutes of this 90 minute hike, the wind kicked up a little and we were reminded of what the "wind chill factor" means!

Seventeen of us started out at 15 degrees. It dropped to 10 but was still comfortable with the right clothing on. You need to make sure you have "wind resistant clothing" with you on outings like this.

It was a great outing! Winter hiking and snowshoeing are excellent opportunities to practice and perfect your emergency preparedness skills.

Photos of our Downtown Night Walk, December 3, 2009

http://picasaweb.google.com/FredPalmer1942/CityWalk12309?feat=email#
Thanks to Fred for taking these photos!

This is generally our Downtown Christmas Lights Night walk Route in December:

Start at Z'Teja's at Gateway (near 2nd So. and 400 W.)
Through Gateway Mall
Passing Energy Solutions Ctr. and Salt Palace
Through Temple Square to the Conference Ctr.
Through Main Street Plaza
Passing Brigham Young's Home and Beehive House to State Street
Through Galavan Ctr.
To SLC Library
Walk up 5 flights of stairs inside the Library.
Take a pit stop, if necessary and enjoy the views.
Over to Main Street, passing KUTV News Station
Passing Capitol Theater
Back to Z'Teja's.

We'll be doing another Night Walk before Christmas! I hope you'll join us!!

Photos from Millcreek Canyon, November 28, 2009

http://picasaweb.google.com/FredPalmer1942/MillcreeekCanyon112809?feat=email#
Thanks to Fred for taking these photos!

11/25/09

I have snowshoes for rent. No need to pick up snowshoes the day before.

I have snowshoes for members of our group to rent. Cost is $10 and I can have them with me at the meeting place. I have several pair of my favorite brand of snowshoes, MSR Denali's. I'm happy to offer some tips on how to snowshoe. Always know that you can go at a pace that feels good and YOU decide how far you want to go.

11/18/09

Hiking along Pipeline Trail in Millcreek Canyon, Tuesday, Nov 17, 09

11/15/09

Neff's Canyon Photos - Saturday Hike, Nov. 14, 2009

http://picasaweb.google.com/FredPalmer1942/NeffSCanyon111409?feat=email#

Thanks to Fred for these photos!

11/12/09

Watch several videos I've made on How to Snowshoe, etc.

Go to www.ehow.com, click on VIDEOS, Do a search for Sheryl McGlochlin Snowshoeing. It will bring up several videos I made with ExpertVillage.com, a company that ehow.com later bought. Besides the snowshoeing videos I made several other videos unrelated to snowshoeing. They are funny to watch but there is some good information. I hope it will help you be more prepared.

Over 140 short videos I've made on Youtube...

LOCAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS

I have MSR snowshoes available to rent. Cost: $10/day. Save time and money! If we don't go snowshoes that day, you'll receive a FULL credit for a future snowshoeing date.

Click here to reserve your snowshoes.

About the Skiing at Brighton: The snow is SO good right now that we are skiing as often as we can get up there and get a few runs in. If you can go anytime Monday - Thursday, just for an hour, let me know. Brighton just got 4 ft. of snow last weekend and it's incredible skiing!!

Tuesday, Dec. 22, 8:30 - 11:30 am, Snowshoeing, Meet at 6200 So. Wasatch Blvd. Park n Ride, South end. RSVP on Weekday Outings. I have snowshoes for rent.

Thursday, Dec. 24, 8:30 - 11:30 am, Christmas Eve, Snowshoeing, Meet at 6200 So. Wasatch Blvd. Park n Ride, South end. RSVP on Weekday Outings. I have snowshoes for rent.

Saturday, December 26, 9 am - noon, Snowshoeing, Meet at 6200 So. Wasatch Blvd. Park n Ride, South end.
Hiking Trail info will be sent to you a few days before the hike.

Tuesday, Dec. 29, 8:30 - 11:30 am, Snowshoeing, Meet at 6200 So. Wasatch Blvd. Park n Ride, South end. RSVP on Weekday outings

Thursday, Dec. 31, 8:30 - 11:30 am, Snowshoeing, Meet at 6200 So. Wasatch Blvd. Park n Ride, South end. RSVP on Weekday Hikes

Friday, January 1, 8:30 – 11:30 am, Happy New Year! Snowshoeing, Meet at 6200 So. Wasatch Blvd. Park n Ride, South end. RSVP on Weekday Hikes

Saturday, January 2, 9 am - noon, Snowshoeing, Meet at 6200 So. Wasatch Blvd. Park n Ride, South end.
Hiking Trail info will be sent to you a few days before the hike.

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 8:30 - 11:30 am, Snowshoeing, Meet at 6200 So. Wasatch Blvd. Park n Ride, South end. RSVP on Weekday Hikes

Wednesday, Jan.6, Skiing at Brighton, 9 am - 12 noon. RSVP. Meet at 6200 So. Wasatch Blvd, Park n Ride, South end at 9 am.

Thursday, Jan. 7, 8:30 - 11:30 am, Snowshoeing, Meet at 6200 So. Wasatch Blvd. Park n Ride, South end. RSVP on Weekday Hikes

Important info to read BEFORE hiking/snowshoeing with us...

SAFETY IS ALWAYS OUR TOP PRIORITY

When you hike or snowshoe with my group, you agree to obey some basic safety rules which are for your own protection.

I, with the help of my assistants, been leading outdoor adventures in the Wasatch Mountains for nearly 7 years, with more than 650 successful hikes to our credit.

I believe a big part of our success comes from obeying some important safety guidelines. You will be expected to follow these same rules if you join us.

1) Know your own physical limitations and act accordingly.

2) Cut it short IF you are new to the sport or don't feel comfortable, for whatever reason. Snowshoeing works different muscles than any other sport including hiking. It can be a great aerobic workout!

We always try to keep a guide at the beginning and the back of the pack. Get acquainted with my guides and talk to any of us if you have any problems or concerns.

3) Bring plenty of water (2 liters) and make sure you drink often.

4) Dress in thin layers. Stay away from cotton fabrics. Nylon snow pants work best for snowshoeing. Avoid denim since it absorbs and retains water.

5) Pay attention to the weather. We take the weather conditions seriously and adjust our outings accordingly. We are always out there but we may change the location of where we hike.

6) Don't hike or snowshoe alone. When you go with us, you are expected to stay with one of our groups. Again, we keep a guide at the back of the pack for those who want to take photos or walk slower and one at the front with those who go faster.

About strong snowshoers: When walking through deep powder, you may be asked to help us "break trail".

7) Get in the habit of telling someone where you are going and when you plan to return. You can leave sooner if you like, just let us know.

8) During the snowshoeing season, some adjustments might be made at our meeting place, based on the most current weather and trail conditions. Because SAFETY is my top priority, I may alter our hiking destination BUT we ALWAYS go somewhere and the posted meeting place and time doesn't change. Until the snow goes away, we will be out there having a BLAST snowshoeing EVERY Saturday morning during the season!

We average around 150 hikes per year locally, including snowshoeing in the winter and cover a wide variety of trails along the Wasatch Front. A smaller group of hikers join us during the week but Saturday is our main hike. Check upcoming hikes a day or two in advance since I may not post complete details until then, due to weather conditions.

In the winter months we snowshoe on trails that are familiar to us and we know are safe. Hiking/snowshoeing with an experienced group is much safer than ever hiking alone or with people who are not familiar with local trails and terrain.

Cost: $35/person, good for 15 hikes of YOUR choice OR pay just $4/hike if you want to come just a few times. Hiking Punchcards are available at the hikes from myself or my assistant guides: Mike or Anna.
We strive for unity within our group and appreciate your support and loyalty. Our goal each week is to make sure everyone feels welcome, safe and included.

Hiking is NOT a competitive sport so don't feel like you have to compete or "keep up" with more experienced hikers who are stronger and faster. Hike at your own pace. Stop and rest when you need to, even if that means hiking for 15 minutes and calling it a day! We try to keep a guide at the back of the pack with hikers to make sure no one gets lost and always has someone to hike with.

If you are one of the speedy hikers and want to go faster than the guide, please communicate with them and plan to meet at certain landmarks every so often.
Come often and I can promise you will be GREATLY rewarded!

Questions or Concerns? Email me anytime: sheryl@liveandthrive.com OR call my cell phone: 801-278-5313