GEAR: MSR Revo Explore

As I am sure you have gathered I am relatively new to advanced winter hiking. I resisted snowshoes for a long time. I kept reading on Facebook how annoyed hikers were with people not having them and using them. I found this attitude really annoying and still do. For various reasons, including affordability, many don’t have them. I found the trails very nicely packed and didn’t see the point personally. Then on 2/13/21 while attempting Eisenhower, I learned the lesson. Crawford Path to the top of Pierce was packed like a sidewalk. Crawford to Eisenhower was a different story. It was traveled, but not much. I was sinking about 4 inches with each step. I got less than half way to Eisenhower and got extreme leg cramps. I can’t attribute all of it to a lack of snowshoes but I can most of it. It was exhausting. I turned around, hiked back to Pierce then back down Crawford Path.

I knew I needed snowshoes. The MSR Lightning Ascent was what I wanted. I based this on research and reviews. Problem: They are backordered for several MONTHS. Cant wait that long. I found and ordered the MSR Revo Explore. Excellent reviews and quite similar to the Ascent.

They arrived about 7 days later. Everything I read indicated that I should practice in my yard or other flat area before heading in the steeps with snowshoes. Probably good advice but I did not heed it. About 3/4 of the way up Mt Pierce for the second time I ran into some people heading back down. Upon chatting with them I learned of 4 – 6 foot drifts at the top that turned them around (they did not have snowshoes). They were hopeful that a couple hikers they passed could open things up. At this point, I put them on for the first time. I had dry fitted my boots in the bindings at home. I put my feet in, cranked down the binding and off I went. First time in snowshoes and it was a DREAM. Being my first time I am not sure I can attribute the excellent experience solely to MSR because I have no comparison. I can say with positivity that I did not need any practice at all and was at full speed immediately.

I wish I had used them the entire hike to this point. It made things exponentially easier! I was able to cover more ground easier and faster. When I encountered the drifts (no joke, 5 feet high) at the top I was able to overcome them with ease. I did tip over once after loosing my balance. Without the Revos I would have had to turn around again.

Again, I cant yet compare these shoes to others but I will in the future. These are a MUST HAVE!