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Scientists in Italy’s Dolomite mountains have unveiled what they believe to be the world’s oldest snowshoe. Carbon-dating has shown that the rudimentary snow shoe, made of birch wood and twine, was made in the late Neolithic age, between 3,800 and 3,700 BC. “It is the oldest snowshoe in the world so far discovered, dating to around 5,800 years ago,” scientists said in a statement. It was discovered by chance at an altitude of 3,134 metres (10,280ft) on the Gurgler Eisjoch glacier, close to Italy’s border with Austria. The ice and freezing temperatures of the glacier had provided “ideal conditions for...

Most of us grew up knowing that when Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett sighted a target, it was going down. Here's an opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to see how they stack up against our folk heroes. The St. Lawrence Valley Primitive Snowshoe Biathlon, organized by the Fort La Présentation Association and Forsyth's Rifles and hosted by the Massena Rod & Gun Club, is March 3 and 4. "In our primitive biathlon, competitors on snowshoes run or walk a measured course," said Fred Hanss, an event organizer. "They must load and fire two shots from a muzzle-loading firearm at five targets...

SEATTLE - A snowshoer who was lost in a blizzard for two days on Washington state's Mount Rainier said he burned his paper money for warmth. Yong Chun Kim, 66, of Tacoma, told KOMO-TV of Seattle that he had fire starters with him and first burned some leaves. Then he started burning personal items: his socks and then $1 and $5 bills from his wallet. Kim also said he kept moving to keep warm, took cover under a tree at night and dreamed of his wife and a nice hot sauna. He became separated from his snowshoe group Saturday and...