Posts Tagged ‘alp’
Walking Stick Pole
June 15th, 2010 | 
Author: Walking Stick Pole
After scrambling to the the summit of Mount Bushnell, I sat on a boulder that was cracked down the middle. Five seconds after my usual summit photo of my bare feet hanging over the edge, the left half of my rock fell loose. I watched as it bounced down the mountainside. I took out my crackers and continued to watch. The rock, and the others it had collected along the way, stopped about 500 feet below. I'm glad I chose the right side of the rock to sit on.
Later, scrambling down from the top, I slipped. I got a bruised leg from one rock, and a gash on one hand from another - the one that kept me from tumbling down the mountainside. The irony was that I rarely ever have a bad slip when hiking and climbing, and I had just stopped a moment earlier to take some notes on "safe scrambling" for this article. I guess the first safety lesson is to concentrate on the task at hand and take your notes later.
Scrambling, according to one dictionary, is "an ambiguous term - somewhere between hill-walking and rock climbing." It is a necessary part of hiking and backpacking in the mountains unless you are content to stick to the trails and always be looking up at the peaks. I'm not. I like to be looking down at everything from time to time. Since not all mountains have easy trails to the top, this sometimes means crossing long stretches of rock.
Of course, rock isn't a problem by itself. Sometimes it is solid and sloped gently, so you can hike across it easily. Other times, as on Mount Bushnell, it is loose, and mixed with almost vertical stretches which require your hands as much as your feet. Here are some tips for making this kind of scrambling a little bit safer.
Scrambling Tips
1. Beware of pulling rocks loose. You can use the rocks above you to steady yourself on steep parts, but try not to put much weight on them unless absolutely necessary. Remember that when they come loose, you are below them. More than one hiker has pulled a rock down upon himself with fatal results.
2. Big is better. When crossing loose rocks, try to step on the larger ones. They are less likely to move, and when they do move, they usually do so more slowly.
3. Stay away from each other. If there are two or more in your group, don't travel directly below each other on steep slopes. The rock that one person knocks loose will aim for the next in line. Keep some distance between you, and if ascending straight up, do so parallel to each other, ten feet or more apart.
4. Know your abilities. In particular, consider whether you'll be able to climb down the rocks you are scrambling up. Down is always more dangerous and usually more difficult.
5. Head for the grass. If you have a choice of routes, stick to those where the rocks are mixed with patches of grass. They are usually anchored more solidly here.
6. Learn to read the rocks. With experience you'll get a "feel" for which rocks are more likely to break loose, and which slopes are more easily climbed. Speed up this learning process by paying attention as you scramble, making rules as you go, like "these kind of boulders are slippery," and "that type of rock breaks easily."
7. Avoid wet rock. It's bad enough to have every second rock you step on move under your foot, but it's downright treacherous when they are slippery too. Wet usually equals slippery. Be aware of the surface of the rocks you are crossing, and whether it might rain before you get back down to the trail.
8. Use a walking stick. If you'll be doing a lot of scrambling, you may want to consider using a walking stick instead of trekking poles. When I consider the number of times my walking stick was wedged between rocks or holding my weight the other day, I'm not sure that a trekking pole would have survived. A good walking stick can help with balance, reduce knee-strain, and take a lot of abuse.
Copyright Steve Gillman. To get a free book on Backpacking (And Wilderness Survival Tips), as well as photos, gear recommendations, and a new wilderness survival section, visit: http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com
crssword: sticks or poles used for walking(6). ???T?S?
STAFFS
Your T may be wrong.
 |
 Caribee Ridge Runner 20L Slim Line Sports Daypack  US $52.54 |  Camera MonopodHiking Walking Stick PoleCompass Silver US $7.99 |  Camera MonopodHiking Walking Stick PoleCompass Blue US $7.99 |
 Camera MonopodHiking Walking Stick PoleCompass Red US $7.99 |  Camera MonopodHiking Walking Stick PoleCompass Black US $7.99 |  LED FlashlightHiking Walking Stick PoleCompass Silver US $7.99 |
 LED FlashlightHiking Walking Stick PoleCompass Blue US $7.99 |  LED FlashlightHiking Walking Stick PoleCompass Black US $7.99 |  LED FlashlightHiking Walking Stick PoleCompass Red US $7.99 |
 TREKKING POLES HIKING BACKPACKING WALKING STICK PAIR US $35.00 |  EXOTIC CURLY PINK IVORY Wood Turning Bowl Blank US $36.00 |  EXOTIC PINK IVORY Wood Turning Spindle Blank Lathe US $50.00 |
 SALE Trekking Hiking Poles Jacko Pro Star Anti Shock Pr US $24.20 |  ANTIQUE Walking Cane Stick Leather Folding Seat Stool US $33.00 |  EXPEDITION TREKKING WALKING STICK POLE rubber grip US $9.99 |
 100 WADING STICKS TREKKING POLES LITE WEIGHT 54 LENGTH US $350.00 |  REAL NORDIC WALKING POLES SAFER HIKINGTREKKING STICKS US $69.95 |  2 NORDIC WALKING HIKING POLES STICKS wEXTRA TEAL US $19.95 |
 Collapsible Walking Hiking Stick Pole Camera Monopod US $9.99 |  Antique English Oak Barley Twist Umbrella Stick Stand US $389.00 |  2 TREKKING WALKING HIKING POLES STICKS wEXTRA BLUE US $19.95 |
 Jacko Dyno Trail Aliminium Hiking Trekking Poles Pair US $63.91 |  Hammers Anti Shock Walking Trekking Hiking Stick Pole L US $13.70 |  Hiking AntiShock Walking Pole Trekking Stick Crutches US $1.99 |
 1Pair Hammers Trekking Poles Hiking Sticks HP5U BLUE US $32.00 |  Anti Shock Hiking Staff Walking Stick Cane Pole US $10.86 |  Jacko Prostar Anti Shock Hiking Trekking Poles Pair US $109.60 |
| Powered by phpBay Pro |
 | SE Natural Wooden Walking Stick - Hiking Pole - 40 Inch List Price: $0.00 Sale Price: $6.19 Average Rating:   |
Perfect length for a Walking Stick Overall Length 40" Very Strong Durabale Stick Hardwood Walking Stick clear gloss finish Hand carved with leather loop Removeable Rubber Tip With Metal spike |
 | Elegant Foldable Walking Stick, Adjustable Folding Cane List Price: $29.99 Sale Price: $19.39 Average Rating:  |
This Foldable Walking Stick is suitable for people who require relief and support during daily life. Travel-ready, reliable and sturdy in lightweight aluminum. The foldable stick packs easily into carry bag supplied and quickly snaps into shape when needed... |
 | High Gear Pe318 Pedometer (Steps, Distance and Calories) High Accuracy Pedometers List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $10.99 Average Rating:  |
High Gear PE318 Activity PedometerMotion sensitivity switch - increases or decreases unit sensitivity.Step counter 0 to 99,999 stepsDistance traveled 0 to 999.99 miles (0 to 999.99 km)Stride distance 11-60 inches (30 to 150 cm)Calorie display 0... |
 | Hiking Staff - Tall Size. Solid wood hiking pole with leather strap and built-in compass. All natural wood varies in color, shape and grain. Tall size for extra support List Price: $69.99 Sale Price: $26.24 |
Hiking Staff - Tall Size. Solid wood hiking pole with leather strap and built-in compass. All natural wood varies in color, shape and grain. Tall size for extra support. |
 | Straight Black Adjustable Walking / Hiking Stick with Compass List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $15.99 |
For camping or hiking, a walking stick makes the trek much easier. Whether a modest walk through the forest, or an all-day hike and camp out, this walking stick is a must. Made from heavy duty aluminum, the staff contains anti-shock springs and is telescopic to expand to 53 inches... |
 | Komperdell Contour Titanal Antishock Trekking Pole List Price: $0.00 Sale Price: $110.97 |
Komperdell Contour Titanal Antishock Trekking Pole Trekking Pole With Anti-shock On/off Mechanism And Duolock Carbon-locking Mechanism. Features A New Eva-full-foam Contour Grip With An Integrated Compass, New Spacer Strap, And Vario Trekking Basket And Tungsten/carbide Flex Tip... |
 | Telescopic Walking Stick List Price: $12.99 Sale Price: $7.95 Average Rating:  |
Telescopic Walking Stick W/ Antishock Mechanism Reduce strain on your back, knees, legs and feet while walking or hiking with the Telescopic Walking Stick. It provides better balance, traction and posture... |
Long Staff Training with Shinobimystic
Posted in 
Tags: 