snow shoes

[sugarman3]

Well,1st time in several years gonna have to take snowshoes off the wall and put them to use,gonna be slow tapping this year

[Ghs57]

Not as much snow here in the Kingston/Woodstock area, but still will be different than the past few years which were without any snow. I will have to break out the boots, and the stream I have to cross will be frozen. We do have snow in the forecast this week, that is, if it holds up. Keeps changing every time I check, and they lower the snowfall amounts.

[ADK_XJ]

I really don't mind, personally — it comes to a point where you've amassed all the gear and equipment you need to handle winter weather, it's almost a shame not to get to use it. Plus, as a hobby sugarer, it's as much about the nostalgia for me as anything.

I may even borrow the neighbor's snow machine to pack down our trails before we head out President's Day...happy tapping!

[aamyotte]

I like to use my snowshoes and toboggan to tap trees. I can drag the buckets, spiles and tool bag instead having to carry everything. I use the toboggan with 5 gallon pails strapped in and snowshoes to collect as long as I can until the snow melts, then it's carrying pails through the woods.

[berkshires]

I like to use my snowshoes and toboggan to tap trees. I can drag the buckets, spiles and tool bag instead having to carry everything. I use the toboggan with 5 gallon pails strapped in and snowshoes to collect as long as I can until the snow melts, then it's carrying pails through the woods.

Yeah, I have a big sled, I think it's designed for carrying firewood. When there's snow on the ground it makes collecting a breeze, just put the collection barrel in there and drag it around. When there's no snow it's a big pain. That said, I haven't dealt with really deep snow in a few years. This year there may wind up being a couple feet or more. That will be a challenge if it gets soft and I'm post-holing around.

GO

[aamyotte]

I've been snowshoeing my trails since December to keep them open. I also make them double wide so that when the snow starts melting I can walk in the middle without sliding off the sides. I learned the hard way the first year, it was like trying to walk on the ridge of the roof with buttered feet, kept sliding of the sides of the trail.

[MRFNY]

Once the paths to the trees get packed down and start icing up, I put the creepers on my boots. I have a pretty steep slope to get to some of my buckets and it becomes downright dangerous without the creepers.

[maple flats]

Just be carefull using the snowshoes. Several years ago I got into a tight spot. I had 3 helpers working, but since one section only needed about 30 more taps put in, I sent all 4 in the opposite direction. As I was crossing a wash out ditch which was about 8' wide and 6' deep i had one snowshoe tip enough that my food went down beside the snowshoe and my left leg ended up with my knee against my chest and my right foot was down thru some brush with no support under it. At the time I was maybe 65 yrs old. I couldn't get to my phone and my 3 helpers were about 400 yds away.
I did finally get myself out but it was a very real challenge.

[Brian]

Sounds like sugaring to me, so you do gymnastics too.