Snowshoes

Snowshoes and cross country skis can be nice for getting around, but do you try to avoid walking on frozen ponds with them? A person is less likely to fall through, but if one did fall through I would think it'd be extra hard getting out with skis or snowshoes on

I snowshoe all the time on ponds, rivers, and creeks. If it's new ice or I haven't crossed yet I cut a spruce pole and tap the ice in front of me and listen to the sound it makes, you can also sometimes hear the water gurgling underneath if it's thin. Having the spruce pole also comes in handy if you do go through, I carry it like a tight rope walker so it will catch on both sides of the ice. So far I have not gone through while using this method. There are also certain spots where the ice is usually thin like around a beaver feedpile or where a creek enters or leaves a pond etc. etc. so I avoid these spots as well.

I was shown how to make and use snowshoes by people in northern British Columbia almost 50 years ago. They used a single long moose hide loop for their bindings and would wrap them in a way that they went on by twisting their feet with no help from their hands. Simple and with an added benefit of being able to get them off their feet (hopefully) if falling through the ice. I used a type that tied to my feet as the straps loosened to much for me.
Anyway one thing they never did and I never do now is trust snowshoes to get me over ice that is questionable. Take your snowshoes off and check the ice with a sharp pole or chisel every step . I'll trust ice more with no snowshoes on than if I got them on. If you go down through the ice with snowshoes on you are likely history.

https://www.outdoornews.com/2019/11/27/know-the-ice-before-you-go-too-far/

Well, there you go, then.

victor#0, what do you mean you 'listen to the sound it makes?'

Solid ice has a dull thud sound, hollow ice has a hollow sound etc. etc., It takes practice but like Stan said take your snowshoes off and go slow. I take a few steps and then hit the ice, if it's good then take a few more. If at any time the ice feels questionable get off, always better safe then sorry.

I use lampwick for.my bindings in the manner you described. We call it an Indian hitch

Hutchy
Your comment brought back memories. When I moved near the town I'm in now 45 years ago the general store sold lamp wick. Being a big dog mushing place back then everyone bought it for making dog harnesses and I did also. My how things have changed.

I am 33 and even still see my own version of change. I hate how finding actual useful things is so tough. I don't usually even go into Cabelas any more. I would be pretty happy with a store that only sold canoes, axes, shotguns, lampwick and rope.

I get long lampwick from friends of mine. Not even sure where they get it.

I bought a whole spool of lampwick for both snowshoe's and in the kerosene lamps at wickstore.com................

Trapstickman is providing a visual of this event. Be safe out there.

I wonder if those weaving mills in Scotland still produce the lamp wick. I remember at SIR in Winnipeg they had rolls the size of the 6 foot telephone spools full in September and by Xmas they were empty. How many 100's of thousands of feet were was on there.
The thing about lamp wick is when it gets wet it stretches and the x-over under the side and back bow tie was the exit we were taught. I had the fortune of Joe Robertson from Dauphin MB teach some fine details. his book was; From Prairie to Tundra published about 1991 a must read.

I have been somewhat successful in making the lamp wick bindings you are talking about but using hollow braid polyrope.
mt

I got in the habit of kicking off my back strap when crossing any water way, no matter how deep it is. That way you can always kick off your shoes if you go thru. Might loose a pair of snowshoes at worst. Even a foot of water can give you problems if it grabs your snowshoe sideways.

Me too

StanZ or Hutchy, is there a way to explain that type of binding? Or a diagram? Just curious.

Big Momma
I'll have to leave that up to another person as I never used that kind of binding much and all the rope/strap types I see here in Tanana are just tied on. The kind I saw used in BC Canada were put on with a twist of the foot alone except for adjusting sometimes.

Big Momma Last year I searched utube for snowshoe bindings and found the "hookup" you are looking for. No hands, just stepped into the harness,twisted foot and they were ready to go. Just checked /one is Bushcraft traditional snowshoe binding

One of the old Alaska Trapper magazines has a photo tutorial on how to make these.

If I recall it was George Attla

It is very simple.We always used the lampwick.But you can use any cordage.The twist on and off is great when everything is a glob of ice.