How do I stop this thing? -Reply
Toby Markowitz
one which does not require stopping first and removing the pole straps ..
my instructions for this maneuver are:
1. place the pole handles on your chest, about 6 to 8 inches apart, just
below the clavicle.
2. While maintaining your back vertical, bend your knees so the pole tips
drag the snow.
3. Modulate your speed with knee bend. Additional control of speed and
lateral stability can be had by doing this in conjunction with a snowplow.
Using these methods I can descend alpine slopes on which I am otherwise
unable to control my speed with snowplow alone. The poles will bend around
your body .. you will endure jokes about the change in the tone of your
voice ... and you will dig a couple of nice grooves in the snow.
good luck .. toby markowitz
>>> Jay Wenner <wen...@biosci.cbs.umn.edu> 1327 18Jan96 >>>
Larry Venick (lj...@psu.edu) wrote: So I find myself going downhill on a
narrow trail, 1-1/2 to 2 feet deep, with a turn coming up ahead. At a
touring center, with groomed trails and set tracks, I would put a ski
outside the track and make a wedge to slow down, but in this situation this
is not possible. What is the best way to ski this type of trail?
John Morton showed a stopping method in his book that might work.
Basically it involves dragging the poles and pulling up on the grips in
front to force the baskets dowm in back. The pivot point (as I remember
it) didn't really make sense. I think they showed the forearms
(rather than the armpits) as the pivot point. Of course this might make
perfect sense once I try it.
Jay Wenner