I grew up in the great state of Oklahoma, which is known for many things. Unfortunately, it isn’t known for snowshoeing. There is never enough snow to justify wearing snowshoes. Ever.
Is this difficult to understand? Go to the adapted version!
As I child, I thought that the only people that snowshoed lived in Alaska or the North Pole. I went skiing a few times with my family in Colorado, but snowshoeing was never an option. As a result, I had my first snowshoe experience when I was 30 years old.
I remember this day very well. I was so excited! The sky was blue and there was a fresh layer of snow on the ground. There wasn’t any wind and it wasn’t very cold. Basically, the weather was perfect. We were a small group of women in the French Alps. Who could ask for a better day to try snowshoeing?
It was an easy hike with only 500 m (1640 ft) of elevation change. I was afraid I would be cold, so I wore my ski pants. I know, I know! What was I thinking??? In my defense, it was my FIRST time to go snowshoeing. And I hate being cold. Obviously, being cold was not the problem.
I have never been so hot before in my entire life. I felt like my skin was melting. I probably lost 5 lbs. in sweat. I was so hot that I actually sat down in the snow and made a snow angel in an effort to cool myself down. It was hilarious!
Going downhill was much easier. With each step, I slid a little in the fresh powder. It was so much fun, I had a huge smile on my face! Everything was going great until we arrived at a stone wall.
It was easy to climb up onto the wall, but we had to jump about four feet down to the other side. One, two, three, JUMP! I landed on my feet okay, but I quickly lost my balance and fell onto my face. Snow went everywhere!
I had snow in my clothes. I had snow in my shoes. I had snow up my nose!!! Like I said, snow was everywhere! And then I had to get up!!!
Since it was my first time snowshoeing, I didn’t know how to use my hiking poles. Instead of making a cross in front of me, so I could push myself up, I put them perpendicular to the snow. Big mistake!!! They sank into the snow and I couldn’t move.
Eventually I was able to get up, but it was not easy, and it was not pretty! I was so happy to be on my feet again!
Overall, I had a great first snowshoeing day. There was a little bit of adventure and a lot of fun and laughter. I think this is what defines a great day in the mountains!
If you haven’t gone snowshoeing yet, it’s definitely something you should try. Being away from the noise in the city and breathing in the fresh mountain air is energizing. The views from the summit are amazing and at the end of the day you are tired, but rejuvenated, at the same time. Give it a try!
Have you gone snowshoeing before? If so, where is your favorite place to go? Let me know in the comments!
I hope you have a great day and see you soon!
Adapted Version
I Had Snow Up My Nose!
In parenthesis () there are explanations of words and phrases. These explanations are in italics.
I grew up (when I was young I lived) in the great state of Oklahoma, which is known for (people know about it because of) many things. Unfortunately, it isn’t known for snowshoeing. There is never enough snow to justify wearing snowshoes. Ever.
As I child, I thought that the only people that snowshoed (practiced snowshoeing) lived in Alaska or the North Pole. I went skiing a few times with my family in Colorado, but snowshoeing was never an option. As a result, I had my first snowshoe experience when I was 30 years old.
I remember this day very well. I was so excited! The sky was blue and there was a fresh layer of snow (new snow) on the ground. There wasn’t any wind and it wasn’t very cold. Basically, the weather was perfect. We were a small group of women in the French Alps. Who could ask for a better day to try snowshoeing?
It was an easy hike with only 500 m (1640 ft) of elevation change (change of altitude). I was afraid I would be cold, so I wore my ski pants. I know, I know! What was I thinking??? In my defense, it was my FIRST time to go snowshoeing. And I hate being cold. Obviously, being cold was not the problem.
I have never been so hot before in my entire life. I felt like my skin was melting (becoming liquid). I probably lost 5 lbs. in sweat (perspiration). I was so hot that I actually sat down in the snow and made a snow angel (an angel made of snow– see photo) in an effort to cool myself down (reduce my body temperature). It was hilarious (really funny)!
Going downhill (down the mountain) was much easier. With each step, I slid (moved along the surface and maintained contact) a little in the fresh powder. It was so much fun, I had a huge (big) smile on my face! Everything was going great until we arrived at a stone wall.
It was easy to climb up onto the wall, but we had to jump about four feet down to the other side. One, two, three, JUMP! I landed on (fell onto) my feet okay, but I quickly lost my balance (equilibrium) and fell onto my face. Snow went everywhere!
I had snow in my clothes. I had snow in my shoes. I had snow up (in) my nose!!! Like I said, snow was everywhere! And then I had to get up (onto my feet)!!!
Since it was my first time snowshoeing, I didn’t know how to use my hiking poles. Instead of making a cross (like an “X”) in front of me, so I could (use my arms to) push myself up, I put them perpendicular to the snow. Big mistake (Not the correct movement)!!! They sank (went) into the snow and I couldn’t move.
Eventually I was able to get up (stand up), but it was not easy, and it was not pretty (graceful)! I was so happy to be on my feet again!
Overall, I had a great first snowshoeing day. There was a little bit of adventure and a lot of fun and laughter (the noise you make when you think something is funny). I think this is what defines a great day in the mountains!
If you haven’t gone (been) snowshoeing yet (already), it’s definitely something you should try. Being away from the noise in the city and breathing in (inhaling) the fresh mountain air is energizing. The views (what you see) from the summit are amazing and at the end of the day you are tired, but rejuvenated (have more energy), at the same time. Give it a try (You should try it)!
Have you gone snowshoeing before? If so, where is your favorite place to go? Let me know in the comments!
I hope you have a great day and see you soon!
This blog was updated November 4, 2019 to include an adapted version of the text and an audio version.
