Yukon Charlie's Winter Systems Snowshoes
Model 825 Chinook
Name: Kathleen Waters
Age: 53
Gender: Female
Height: 5'4" (1.63 m)
Weight: 128 lbs (58 kg)
Email address: kathy@ring.com
City, State, Country: White Lake, MI USA
Date: 02/28/04
Backpacking Background: My husband and I started hiking/backpacking about 5 years on a gorgeous fall day, starting with Mt. Hahn located just north of Steamboat Springs. Although we were breathless from the exertion upon summitting, we realized that we were hooked and there would be no more "lying-on-the-beach" vacations for us!
Since then, we have returned to Colorado, mostly to the Vail Valley area twice a year, both summer/early fall and winter to play outdoors - we snowshoe in the winter. Just this past September we attempted to hike Mt. Elbert, Colorado's highest 14er, but we had to quit at 13,400 ft when we ran into ice on the very steep last 1000 ft. Oh well, there's always next year!
When we are home in Southeast Michigan, we make it a point to hike 2 or 3 weekdays, usually 6 to 8 miles and then one whole weekend day. Alternate days, we train on an indoor treadmill which is capable of up to 50% grades. Our weekday hikes generally take place in the Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, which is a decent mixture of moderately steep hills and flat terrain, heavily wooded. It is an interesting hike, spring, summer, fall and winter. Our weekend hikes can end up being anywhere!
We are planning to start overnight backpacking this spring and have a trip planned to Puerto Rico in May 2004!
Product information
Manufacturer - Yukon Charlie
Year of manufacture - 2002 (in 2003, the Chinook was replaced by the Backcountry)
URL - http://www.yukoncharlies.com
Listed weight - 3.8 lb/per pair (1.7 kg)
Weight as delivered. - 4.3 lb/per pair (2 kg)
Product description - The Model 825 snowshoe is designed for wearer and gear up to 200 lb (91 kg). The 8"x25" (20 cm x 64 cm) frame is purported to be the most versatile for most conditions and user sizes. The Chinook has a lightweight aluminum frame, forged aluminum crampons in both the toe and heel areas, all terrain decking made from Yukalon, an adjustable toe cup and tru-fit binding with full pivotal action. The bindings are multi-adjustable and feature "Big Dog" quick release buckles.
Field information
Location or locations where used: I purchased the Chinook snowshoes in 2002 to be used on a Christmas vacation in Avon, Colorado in the Vail Valley. The snowshoes were worn on 5 different hikes over the course of 10 days in Vail and Beaver Creek. In 2003 and 2004, I've used the snowshoes in Mancelona, Michigan in the northern part of Michigan's lower peninsula and in Waterford, Michigan in Pontiac State Recreation Area and other local parks in the White Lake, Michigan area.
Description of location: In Vail and Beaver Creek, the snowshoes were used primarily on groomed trails throughout Strawberry Park in Beaver Creek (a high mountain area) and along the Vail Golf Course in Vail. There was a mixture of steep to medium hills and flat land. The elevation at McCoy Park is 9842' (3000 m) and the elevation in Vail is 8120' (2475 m). I also did do a bit of off-trail snowshoeing in ungroomed areas where the snow was powder and over 24" (61 cm) deep.
In Michigan, the snowshoed terrain in Mancelona was very flat and I followed no real trails, just stomped around the Lakes of the North Golf Course perimeter. For the most part, the snow was powder, not packed, less than 6" (15 cm) deep. The terrain at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area where I spend most of my time varies all over the place from sandy flat lakeshores to wide-open wild meadows to hilly hardwood forests having grades up to 50%. Elevation ranges from 700 to 1000' (213 to 305 m).
Weather conditions: Temperatures ranged from a low of -2 F (-19 C) to a high of 34 F (1 C) in bright sunshine, almost white-out snow squalls and night time conditions. Most of the coldest conditions were late night hikes when the skies were clear. Daytime hikes, particularly in Colorado were usually warmer. The two snowstorms that I got caught in were just before Christmas 2003 in Mancelona.
Yukon Charlie's Model 825 Chinook Snowshoe has performed wonderfully in all conditions that I have encountered so far in over two dozen or so hikes.
The design is rather different from most other manufacturers in that the rear portion of the shoe is rounded and does not end in a "point". This allows the snowshoe to "float" on powder snow better. I top out at about 145 lb (66 kg) when snowshoeing with full winter gear and a backpack. When walking in 24+" (61+ cm) of powder, I barely sank down 3" (8 cm) or so if I walked carefully. Plowing through more quickly, I would go down considerably more to 7 or 8" (18 to 20 cm). The Chinook design is also narrow enough that I can use a fairly normal stride without tripping.
The aluminum frame is lightweight yet durable and shows little sign of wear. While the 2003/2004 version has a "colored" coating, my Chinook is unpainted so wear scratches are minimal. The aluminum crampons are conveniently placed on both the toe and heel areas and work very well in grabbing into packed snow and ice on inclines as steep as 50% grades. Not once have I slid using these shoes, they have great traction! The toe crampons are starting to show a little wear at the tip of the teeth - guess I'll have to file them a bit before next season.
The premium Yukalon decking is stretch and puncture resistant as I found out when I attempted to step over a down tree on the trail and crashed down on some exposed rocks! There was little damage, just a "dimple" left behind. Also, the deck sheds snow very efficiently, there is no caking or clumping.
The best part of Yukon Charlie's snowshoes is the wonderful binding system! There are three adjustable webbed straps and an open toe cup to make the fit perfect for the user. After the initial adjustment, it is a very simple matter to put on and take off the snowshoes using the two quick-clip toggle buckles. I can even do this with my gloves on, it's that easy.
That said, the initial adjustment was a real chore for me and necessitated a phone call to the factory for help. I wear a woman's size 7 shoe, my winter hiking/snowshoeing boots are woman's size 9. Following the enclosed instructions for adjusting the binding left me with the binding too loose, no matter how tightly I adjusted the straps. After consulting with customer service, I was advised how to remedy the problem. It was a tedious procedure moving the instep strap from one "loop" to another, but it resulted in a good fit. My only complaint is the excess of loose strapping that remains.
This is a great recreational snowshoe and I will definitely plan to purchase another Yukon Charlie product down the road when I'm forced to retire this pair!
Read more reviews of Yukon Charlie gear
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