About Rick Stedman

Rick Stedman is an avid snowshoer and golfer. He currently lives in Olympia, Washington.

ALL POSTS BY THIS AUTHOR:

Plenty Of History & Snowshoeing Options On Washington’s Mt St Helens

When it comes to snowshoeing in Washington State, most of the attention and attraction centers on the Mount Rainier area, and for a good reason. Mount Rainier offers plenty of natural attractions and is easily accessible for the thousands … Continue reading


Plenty of Snowshoeing Options in Wisconsin’s Northwoods Region

Wisconsin is home to more than 2,700 miles of recreational trails, many of which are available for snowshoeing. On a recent visit to the Badger State’s Northwoods region, I explored a number of these designated trails, along with breaking a … Continue reading


Annual Snowshoe Thompson Celebration set for Feb. 24

For nearly two decades, residents of the Lake Tahoe area have celebrated the legend of Snowshoe Thompson. Dubbed the Mailman of the Sierra, John A. “Snowshoe” Thompson carried mail between Placerville, Calif. and Genoa, Nev. for 20 grueling years, twice … Continue reading


Lake Tahoe Snowshoeing Offers Variety and Solitude

Snowshoeing California’s Lake Tahoe area is a must-visit for the novice or experienced. The stunning natural beauty, variety of trail options, and endless blue skies paint a scene reminiscent of a Thomas Kinkade canvas. In South Lake Tahoe, you can … Continue reading


The Saga of Michigan’s Snowshoe Priest

For decades now, snowshoeing has received year-round publicity in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, thanks to the efforts of Bishop Frederic Baraga a Catholic priest who Native Americans affectionately dubbed the Snowshoe Priest back in the 19th Century.

Bishop Baraga didn’t simply … Continue reading


Emergency Tips From Snowshoer Stranded for 30 Hours In Central Washington


Using his outdoor experience and list of 10 essential items, snowshoer Wally Fosmore of Shoreline, Wash. survived the elements and a night in the back country before finding his way to safety at a rendezvous point with local emergency services … Continue reading


Washington’s Hurricane Ridge offers plenty of snowshoeing in Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park in Washington is one of the gems of the Pacific Northwest. In addition to great snowshoeing, it is also one of only three national parks to offer ski lift services. There are 58 national parks throughout the … Continue reading


Snowshoeing on Israel’s Mount Hermon

Snowshoeing in Israel sounds like an oxymoron, but it is something that should be on every adventuresome traveler’s bucket list. Mount Hermon, in the northern reaches of this tiny Middle East country, offers plenty of snow from December through … Continue reading


Featured Product: Yukon Charlie’s Pro II Series 930 Snowshoes

When I first acquired my Yukon Charlie’s Pro II Series 930 snowshoes, I couldn’t wait to try them out. Unfortunately, throughout the Pacific Northwest, snow was in short supply for the majority of this winter.

Nevertheless, I enthusiastically donned the … Continue reading


Extend Your Day With GoMotion’s Wearable Light Designs

While on a recent moonlight snowshoe walk, I was very happy to be wearing the Litebelt 100, a convenient waist pack that also features a 100 lumen LED light at waist level and rear flashing red lights that can be … Continue reading


Snowga Combines Yoga and Snowshoeing – Benefits Body and Soul

Like the pairing of red wine and dark chocolate, snowshoeing and yoga blend together in the perfect creative match that also benefits the body as well as the soul. Collectively known as Snowga, this unique pairing of yoga and snowshoeing … Continue reading


Why Snowshoeing Should be an Olympic Sport

There are lots of reasons why snowshoeing has not been added to the Winter Olympics lineup, and there are also a lot of reasons why it should be included. Competitive snowshoeing has been in existence for about 200 years, according … Continue reading


Gear Review: MSR SureLock TR-3 Trekking Poles Provide Stability When You Need It

To help increase your snowshoeing appreciation and provide stability in the process, try using the innovative Mountain Safety Research (MSR) SureLock TR-3 trekking poles. Developed by Cascade Designs of Seattle, the SureLock TR-3 provides several features and improved technology that … Continue reading


Gear Review: Atlas Aspect Snowshoes Feature Spring-Loaded Suspension

While enjoying the snow-covered wilderness, the last thing you want to worry about is inadequate gear. If you’re wearing a pair of Atlas Aspect snowshoes, equipment failure will never be an issue.

Whether you’re a novice or backcountry aficionado, the … Continue reading


Exploring Alaska’s Denali National Park In Winter

Denali National Park and Preserve is one of the country’s sparkling gems. It is one of the largest national parks in the United States, at about 6 million acres. In winter, Denali National Park receives far fewer visitors, allowing for … Continue reading


At Vermont’s Ice Sports University: Learn the Art of Snowshoeing, Curling at Pre-Olympics Event

With the XXII Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia just around the corner (Feb. 7-23), some creative folks in Vermont are sharing the love of outdoor activities with the world. Offering sports like snowshoeing, curling, pond hockey, ice fishing, and … Continue reading


Turning on the Northern Lights in Fairbanks

//

Snowshoeing under the Northern Lights, now that’s a memorable vacation. In the vicinity of Fairbanks, Alaska, the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, are visible on average more than 200 days a year. Witnessing the Northern Lights clearly trumps any … Continue reading


Anchorage Offers Cosmopolitan Setting, Year-Round Snowshoeing

With an abundance of snow and seemingly endless winters, Alaska is a first-class destination for non-stop snowshoeing. You’re pretty much guaranteed to find snow year-round somewhere in this winter wonderland whose appropriate nickname is The Last Frontier.

Using the … Continue reading


Known for its Skiing, Crystal Mountain Attracts Snowshoers, Too

Washington State’s Crystal Mountain has been one of the premier ski resorts in the country since opening in 1962. You can come for the day, or stay for the night. Snowshoeing here can be rugged and isolated, or socially serene; … Continue reading


Snowshoeing the North Cascades in Winthrop, Washington

With some of the heaviest snow accumulation in the nation, Washington’s Cascade Mountains are an outdoor paradise. The town of Winthrop, with a year-round population of about 400, sits in the Methow Valley in the North Cascades, and features an … Continue reading


STABILicers Help Prevent Slips, Falls on Icy Terrain

STABILicers can literally save your behind, if you take the time to put them on. Last winter, the following scenario would NOT have played out had I taken 30 seconds to slip my STABILicers over my dress shoes.

I looked … Continue reading


inReach: When No Cell Phone Coverage is Available

Snowshoers and other outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the extended research and development that’s resulted in a new communications tool that keeps you in touch with the world, whether you’re at the South Pole or the top of Mount Everest.  DeLorme, … Continue reading


Cody, Wyoming: An Outdoor Recreation Mecca

Cody, Wyoming has long maintained its reputation as the “Rodeo Capital of the World.” The town, which is located about 50 miles east of Yellowstone National Park in the northwest corner of the Cowboy State, seems much larger than its … Continue reading


GORE-TEX Footwear Provides Comfort and Protection from the Elements

When it’s crummy weather outside, the last think you want to deal with are wet boots or shoes. Snowshoers appreciate the little things they don’t have to worry about. The focus should be on the snow, the trail, and the … Continue reading


Preparing for the Worst (Just in Case): A Story of Survival

A Washington snowshoer goes out for a day trip, but spends 50 hours lost in the woods. Here is his story, along with recommendations on how to avoid a similar ordeal.

Tacoma, Washington snowshoer Yong Chun Kim’s 50 hours on … Continue reading


Yaktrax Provide Stability on Snow, Ice

For outdoor enthusiasts who spend a considerable time in snow country, a pair of Yaktrax are a good addition to your snowshoe equipment list.  Developed for walkers, runners, hikers, and other winter athletes, Yaktrax strap easily to the bottom of … Continue reading


Snowshoeing Washington’s Cascade Mountains

White Pass in central Washington has been known for its skiing since Olympic medalists Phil and Steve Mahre put the resort on the world map in the mid 1980s. In addition to the recently-expanded ski resort, there’s also some very … Continue reading


Inspiring Good Read: A Life on the Edge

Jim Whittaker has been atop the mountaineering community since becoming the first American to summit the world’s highest peak. In 1963, Jim became the 10th man to reach the 29,028-foot summit of Mount Everest in the Himalayas. He returned a … Continue reading


Some Pre-season Gear Reviews: Blundstone, SteriPEN and Osprey

With snowshoe season just around the corner, here are several options for gearing up.

Blundstone 560 Series Boot

With a history dating back to the 1850s, Blundstone, an Australian company, has been making dependable footwear while establishing its stellar reputation … Continue reading


Disc Golf, a Growing Sport Throughout the Country

Disc golf is one of the country's fastest growing sports. Formerly known as Frisbee, the first official course dates back to Pasadena, Calif. in 1975. Fast-forward 36 years and the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) counts more than 40,000 members and nearly 3,300 courses around the United States. Disc golf also has expanded to a worldwide community.


Celebrate the Solstice at Anchorage Mayor’s Marathon

Alaska is a snowshoer's paradise. But during the off season, The Last Frontier features lots of other outdoor activities to draw visitors from around the globe. One of the most popular events – the Mayor's Marathon –  takes place in Anchorage, specifically on the Summer Solstice, Saturday, June 18 this year. The Marathon course is certified by USA Track and Field and finishers can use their results to qualify for the Boston Marathon.


For Local Residents, Snowshoeing Death Valley is Beyond Description

California's Death Valley National Park is renowned for its searing summer heat. With the second highest recorded temperature on earth – 134 degrees back in 1913 – Death Valley averages 116 degrees during July. The largest American national park outside Alaska, Death Valley is a massive 3.3 million acres. In addition to its magnificent beauty and stunning landscape, Death Valley features dramatic elevation changes. The park's lowest point is 282 feet below sea level at Badwater Basin. From that vantage point, visitors can look up to see the Panamint Mountain Range and its often snowcapped highest point: Telescope Peak at 11,049 feet. From November through early March, this challenging terrain is a snowshoer's delight.


Customers are VIP at Yukon Charlie’s

Yukon Charlie's is one of the premier snowshoe manufacturers in the country. A good deal of the company's success, since its inception 15 years ago, is its unwavering commitment to customer service. Most of that success can be traced to the fact that Yukon Charlie's is a family run company with strong family values.


Excelling at Customer Service: A Profile of Tubbs Snowshoes

For the last 105 years, Tubbs Snowshoes has been breaking trail in snowshoe innovation. Started in 1906 by Walter Frederick Tubbs in Norway, Maine, the venerable snowshoe manufacturer began making snowshoes primarily as a service for hunters, traders, and trappers in the greater New England area. Back then, snowshoeing was not considered a sport or pleasurable outdoor activity, but rather used exclusively as a tool for winter travel.


Yellowstone Country: A Spiritual Snowshoeing Experience

Snowshoeing in Yellowstone Country is a must for wintertime nature lovers. Families will especially appreciate the bonding atmosphere created throughout this serene setting in western Wyoming. The star of the show unquestionably is Old Faithful Geyser, which has fascinated visitors since it became the first geyser in the park to receive a name back in 1870.


Quaint Bavarian Village: Murnau Offers Perfect Setting for Holiday Snowshoeing

There's nothing more festive than combining snowshoeing with a visit to a traditional German Christmas market. Many cities throughout this western European country, of 82 million, feature a Christmas market – Christkindlmarkt or Weihnachtsmarkt in German. With more than 150 official Christmas markets throughout Germany, Christkindlmärkte are celebrated during the four weeks of Advent. Each offers their own distinct celebration of Christmas.


Snowshoeing Options Plentiful in Idaho’s Sun Valley

For decades, Sun Valley, Idaho has been regarded as one of the best ski resorts in the world. In fact, it was the first recognized ski resort in the country, dating back to 1937. In addition to the ski-related activities, snowshoeing is also an enduring wintertime sport throughout Sun Valley.


Colorado’s Grand County Offers Plenty of Snowshoeing Options

Many couples have discovered that a weekend snowshoeing adventure is more than just a fun outdoor activity. It can also be a time of bonding with your loved one. Imagine: The only sounds you hear are those of your snowshoes methodically crunching over the snow, and your heart keeping time with your step. A stop now and then lets you absorb all the beauty Mother Nature has to offer. It also gives you that time to rekindle the warmth with the person you love.

Newfoundland’s Gros Morne Offers Spectacular Snowshoeing

Gros Morne National Park in western Newfoundland is a snowshoer's paradise. Canada's eastern-most province is home to this majestic park that received international recognition in 1987. Twenty years ago, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Gros Morne a World Heritage Site, honoring its complex geology and remarkable scenery. And it is that remarkable scenery that will remind you again and again how splendid this island province really is. If you prefer the solitude of winter and breathtaking terrain, a visit to Gros Morne is a must.

Snowshoe Thompson’s Legacy Lives On

There are legends, and then there is John "Snowshoe" Thompson, who delivered mail in the rugged and snow-covered Sierra-Nevada Mountains in the dead of winter for 20 grueling years.

The Stick Relieves Tired, Aching Muscles

Snowshoe Magazine
Strolling the trade show floor for what seemed like hours at the recent PGA Fall Expo in Las Vegas, I needed a break. Just then, I noticed an empty chair and the smiling face of Patrick Materna. I had picked the perfect place to stop, for Materna was demonstrating the benefits of The Stick.

Snowshoeing in Stehekin

Snowshoe Magazine
One of the most scenic and tranquil snowshoe settings in North America is a remote hamlet in central Washington. This Evergreen state oasis called Stehekin could easily be tabbed the Last Great Adventure.