Things You'll Need:
- Ski Hats
- Warm Clothes
- Ski Gloves
- Ski Poles
- Snowshoes
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Step 1
Carry at least a 30-foot length of rope with you if you anticipate encounters with ice.
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Step 2
Be aware of your surroundings when snowshoeing. Look out for streams in valley bottoms and for unusually flat snowfields that might be frozen ponds.
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Step 3
Uncover a patch of snow from the ice you wish to cross. Notice whether there are any gray spots, which signify weak ice that is unsafe to cross.
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Step 4
Test the ice before you walk across it by tapping a pole or stick onto the surface. Thin ice makes a hollow sound when hit, while thick and safe ice will sound like a muted thud.
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Step 5
Loosen your snowshoe bindings before stepping onto the ice. If you break through, you can quickly kick off the snowshoes.
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Step 6
Hold your poles in both hands, horizontally across the body. If you fall through the ice, the poles may support your weight and allow you to sink only waist deep.
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Step 7
Cross the ice, going single file with a 20-foot gap between each member when in a group. Tie the leader, who will be testing unknown ice, to the rope - this is a safety measure in case of a breakthrough.
