Finally got the opportunity to take these out for a test-run. Have had them for some time already, but because of reasons, I haven’t gone out with them yet.

Was an interesting trip as I haven’t never been skiing or trekking with sliding snowshoes before. Kinda like hybrid of traditional skiing and walking. On a hard surface one can actually “kick” and “slide” with these, something I thought would not be feasible task to accomplish with these, only with traditional skis.

Still need learn more and redo the skins as I didn’t have that much traction on a hard surface of a walked path, but got decent grip in a deep snow. Also the glide and slide part could be a bit better, so need to re-check also the ski wax treatment.

Need to learn more with these as it will help me later with the splitboard and with off-piste and backcountry riding that are awaiting for me. – And maybe I’ll later do some more winter trekking and hiking with sliding snowshoes and a pulk to haul my gear with me.

Made about a 2 km trip in the darkness of the late evening, with the skis. Noticed quite fast that I had worn way too much of clothes for this. Even with all the vents open from the top layer, and later without a cap and top front zipper completely open, I was still sweating like a pig. Good thing that I wore a layer of merino-wool underneath so the trek was tolerable. Temperature was around -15°C with no wind and nice clear sky above with stars and the Milky Way visible, that also made the trek a bit more tolerable.

I have had issues with the winter sports before, as I do sweat very much and very easily, so keeping myself warm in the winter times outdoors has not been an easy task, or winter activity in general has not been a very pleasant experience, as one does get very cold very fast when one is soaking from sweat.
…but maybe technology will solve this issue also, when I throw enough money at the problem. Merino wool and technical under layers have been a good starting point. But one also needs to learn to control heart rate, breathing and extra layers of clothing to make winter life tolerable in a long run.

But first test-run has been made and now just need to adjust the course and rinse and repeat to learn more.

…till next time.