Steep incline tech question.

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ChristopherFranklin

 
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Steep incline tech question.

by ChristopherFranklin » Thu Sep 04, 2014 4:12 pm

Just currious when you guys do a steep snow incline (45-55 degree incline) do you zig zag? or do you go straight up? and why? I go straight up but I've seen others zig zag is this easier or safer or something??

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ExcitableBoy

 
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Re: Steep incline tech question.

by ExcitableBoy » Thu Sep 04, 2014 4:26 pm

If it is 45-55 degrees I am either step kicking or front pointing more or less straight up. Generally, if it is less steep (30-40) I zig-zag as it tends to be more efficient. I wonder if you are not overestimating the incline though, 50+ degrees would be terribly difficult to zig-zag up.

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Sierra Ledge Rat

 
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Re: Steep incline tech question.

by Sierra Ledge Rat » Thu Sep 04, 2014 6:21 pm

I mix it up, to use different muscles

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Marcsoltan

 
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Re: Steep incline tech question.

by Marcsoltan » Thu Sep 04, 2014 6:31 pm

(45-55 degree incline), straight up with mostly front points, but it's possible to side step some to use different muscle groups.

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WyomingSummits

 
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Re: Steep incline tech question.

by WyomingSummits » Thu Sep 04, 2014 6:59 pm

Depends on snow conditions. If it's soft/ deep and consistent enough to kick a decent step, then I'll zig zag....hard or ice a few inches under the surface and I'll front point. In couloirs the sides tend to be safer more often than not, so in early season when rocks are dropping due to thaw, I'll try to stay near the edge and you can avoid more rock and throw some gear in to keep you from sliding down the ol' chute on the chance something happens. Part of the fun of mountaineering is figuring out what works best when the variables change on you......there are very few "one size fits all" solutions. :)

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BigMitch

 
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Re: Steep incline tech question.

by BigMitch » Tue Sep 09, 2014 2:50 am

Do what EB says.

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ExcitableBoy

 
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Re: Steep incline tech question.

by ExcitableBoy » Tue Sep 09, 2014 2:54 am

BigMitch wrote:Do what EB says.

But don't do what I do.

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Ben Beckerich

 
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Re: Steep incline tech question.

by Ben Beckerich » Fri Nov 07, 2014 12:00 am

Depends entirely on snow conditions... is step-kicking easy? If so, straight up. Is it post-hole? Sometimes doing switch-backs can be more efficient, as your own steps won't collapse in on themselves.

If the snow is super hard, and it's no worse than 45 degrees, I'll do subtle switchbacks, so I can maintain French technique as much as possible. Quads are stronger than calves

But as always, the overriding rule is: find your own path.
where am i going... and why am i in this handbasket?

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Ben Beckerich

 
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Re: Steep incline tech question.

by Ben Beckerich » Fri Nov 07, 2014 12:01 am

Ah hell, didn't realize this thread was 37 years old.

They don't pile on around here, eh?
where am i going... and why am i in this handbasket?

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