TRAIL TRAINING ON SNOW: GEAR AND TECHNIQUE TO RUN IN THE SNOW, BY MAYAYO.

Posted by Héctor Rubio on December 11, 2021 in trail running spain | Leave a comment

TRAIL TRAINING ON SNOW: GEAR AND TECHNIQUE TO RUN IN THE SNOW, BY MAYAYO.  Our TRAIL TRAINING section is dressed today in white. Mountain races give us landscapes with enormous beauty, wrapped in laughter and fun with friends. But beware, that same white trail can also give us important scares due to falls, hypothermia or overloads.

Nothing ago we told you the four ways to step on it, sure: special rubber, nails, crampons and rackets. Today, we are going with something more about material and technique, sharing lived experiences, from Guadarrama to Patagonia. We start with a veteran mario video, which perfectly represents the charm and harshness of these outings.

TRAIL TRAINING ON SNOW:
GEAR AND TECHNIQUE TO RUN IN THE SNOW, BY MAYAYO.

Before leaving, you have to be VERY clear that running on snow is completely different from running on ice. The newly fallen snow is relatively reliable to the tread, beyond soaking us if we do not wear membrane and leggings. The second case does require very specific methods of progression and safety.

• SNOW: In this first case, we must prevent avalanches. And in case of entering a risk zone, inform us before the snow state and at the time even consider having self-rescue material in the group, such as the classic mountain kit formed by transcierver, shovel and probe.
• ICE: For the second case, that they are not a team with sticks combined with trail crampons (here our in-depth test of them) or at least shoes with spikes (here technical analysis of some). Here you can know more about how to wear special rubber, spikes, crampons.

Since the snowfalls are fresh and have been very intense, today we will talk only about running on snow, At the moment, while this snow melts in the sun and re-dehiela at night over the next few weeks, at the moment we will hardly have ice. Of course, beware of the vented sections on the ridges, where it is very easy for icy plates to form from the first day.

Moreover, we must always be aware in case of an occasional ice sheet, we must dodge looking for an alternative step. Even so, canes and / or crampons should always go to our back in every “white” exit. Even the ice axe, if we think about getting into the technical or inclined zone … ALWAYS AWARE THAT WE ARE NOT MOUNTAINEERS.

Remember also that the glacial terrain changes day by day and even every few hours: Inform yourself before, consult the specialized media and also local brokers. And even so, we will never be entirely safe from surprises produced by a sudden blizzard or night frost.

Winter trail La Peñota, Guadarrama, 6th January 2021. Photo Mayayo.

TRAIL SHOES ON SNOW

They will be critical above all the chosen mountain shoes, which have to wear prominent and well separated taqueado, so that they do not “ambush” easily and the snow stepped on does not stick to the sole. It is also important to carry trail poles with rosette and two fronts, one holder and one spare (here the keys to choose the most appropriate front); as well as backpack where you can put / take out each piece of equipment as we go.

With those four elements when leaving home, we already have a minimum guarantee, not always enough. Do you hesitate to put something else? Better to wear it than to miss it. In addition, this way you train better, with more weight on your back you work a little more 🙂

Shoes with membrane? RECOMMENDED. When running on snow is perhaps where shoes with breathable waterproof membrane are most justified, as long as we make them work as a team with leggings that prevent the entry of snow from the ankle.

Otherwise, we will only achieve that snow enters from above, melts on the plant and is stored as water on our feet throughout the route. Of course, the best progression material on snow will be of no use if we do not have the necessary technique and experience for its proper use. It is necessary to learn progressively and in a group, to avoid unpleasant incidents.

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