[pct-l] Skill Sets - Practice them

[Slyatpct at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/19/2006 3:32:33 PM Eastern Standard Time, park at vt.edu  
writes:

Sly,  what is plunge stepping?  Is that like postholing  downhill?



--------------------------------------------------------
 
Yeah kind of.  When the top surface of snow is soft enough your feet  only 
sink so much and you can almost jog down safely.  You can also do it  on scree, 
which I did coming down Mt Shasta
 
I tried to time most of the passes and snow sections for mid day  when the 
snow was soft.  Sometimes it was easier to plunge step and others  glissade, 
either sitting or standing.  Prior to the PCT I had no  experience.
 
As far as using an ice ax or poles for better balance, I prefer the  latter.  
However there may be some steeper sections of side hill traverse  where it 
would be best to stow the poles and carry your ax.  I definitely  could have 
used some more practice self arresting.  One time practicing I  almost took off 
my shoulder.
 
Having survived with little experience, I'd really like to take one of  Ned's 
courses or something similar, as to not tempt fate.  
 
Sly