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diff --git a/old/55472-0.txt b/old/55472-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3c907cd..0000000 --- a/old/55472-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5496 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ski-running, by -David M. M. Chrichton Somerville and Willi Rickmer Rickmers and Ernest Cushing Richardson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Ski-running - -Author: David M. M. Chrichton Somerville - Willi Rickmer Rickmers - Ernest Cushing Richardson - -Editor: Ernest Cushing Richardson - -Release Date: August 31, 2017 [EBook #55472] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SKI-RUNNING *** - - - - -Produced by Anita Hammond, Wayne Hammond and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - SKI-RUNNING. - - BY - - D. M. M. CHRICHTON SOMERVILLE, - W. R. RICKMERS, - AND E. C. RICHARDSON. - - DEDICATED TO - THE SKI CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN. - - EDITED BY - E. C. RICHARDSON. - - _WITH NUMEROUS PHOTOGRAPHS AND DIAGRAMS._ - - SECOND EDITION. - - LONDON: - HORACE COX, - WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM’S BUILDINGS, E.C. - - 1905. - - LONDON: - PRINTED BY HORACE COX, WINDSOR HOUSE, BREAM’S BUILDINGS, E.C. - -[Illustration: “PAA SKARE.”] - - - - -PREFACE. - - -Since the first edition of this book was produced two years ago popular -interest in the sport has increased by leaps and bounds. We have -endeavoured to keep pace with the times, and the present volume is an -attempt to give a really complete account of the sport, which will be -useful to beginners and experts alike. To the historical part has been -added a chapter on Continental ski-running, whilst the technical part -has been remodelled, enlarged, and, we trust, rendered more lucid and -complete. Wherever necessary new diagrams have been added, and the -whole-page illustrations have been chosen with a view to indicating the -great beauty and variety of the snow regions of the earth. - -Here and there actual alterations of views previously expressed will be -found. We make no apology for these, but desire frankly to acknowledge -our errors, and to thank those friendly critics who have pointed them -out. With ignorant criticism we have been very little troubled, and -with actual hostility simply not at all. - -We are further greatly indebted to the many friends who have rendered -us positive assistance. The frontispiece is from Herr Halström’s -wonderful picture “Paa Skare,” which that gentleman has given us -unqualified leave to reproduce. The ski-runner which it depicts also -serves as a central figure for the cover, designed by Mr. Nico Jungman. -To those who have kindly permitted us to copy their photographs -we hereby take the opportunity of expressing our best thanks. The -outline of the Solberg Hill is from an accurate drawing by Herr Von -de Beauclair published in _Ski_, to the editor of which paper we are -also indebted for the drawings illustrating Herr Sohm’s detachable -seal’s-skin and climbing-irons. To Herr S. Höyer-Ellefsen, Herr Fredrik -Juell, Herr Trygve Smith, Herr Durban Hansen, and numerous other -skilful Norwegian runners we are grateful for many a useful hint and -word of advice, whilst we owe to Herr Zdarsky a valuable practical -demonstration of his methods of teaching. Messrs. C. W. Richardson, -E. H. Wroughton, and H. P. Cox have been kind enough to help with the -actual production of the little work, and if there be any others who we -have omitted to mention we would hereby beg them to accept at once both -our apologies and thanks. - - E. C. R. - -_November, 1905._ - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - _Pages._ - PREFACE iii-iv - - THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF SKI 1-13 - - CONTINENTAL SKI-RUNNING 13-17 - - THE ELEMENTS OF SKI-RUNNING 18-85 - _Introduction_ 18-20 - Part I.--_The Ground and the Snow_ 20-27 - Part II.--_Outfit_ 28-52 - The Ski 28-35 - The Binding 35-43 - Footplates 44 - The Stick 44-47 - Footgear 47-49 - Other Clothes 49-50 - Accessories 50-51 - Part III.--_Technical_ 52-85 - Preliminary advice 52-53 - Lean forward! 53 - To lift the point of the ski 53-55 - Turning on the spot 55 - Walking with ski on the level 55 - Up-hill 56-61 - Gliding down 61-65 - Falling and getting up 65 - Slight changes of direction 65 - “Skating” 66 - Braking with the stick 66-68 - Snow-ploughing 68-69 - Side stepping 69 - Stemming 69-72 - To make a down-hill curve 72-77 - The “Telemark” Swing 78-82 - The “Christiania” Swing 82-85 - - JUMPING 86-98 - How to select and prepare the hill 90-92 - How to jump 92-98 - - SKI MOUNTAINEERING 99-104 - - ODDS AND ENDS 105-116 - _Antidotes to Sticking, &c._ 105-111 - _Common Faults and Failings_ 111-113 - _Ski-running Etiquette_ 113-114 - _Some Useful Figures_ 115-116 - - - - - THE YEAR-BOOK - - OF THE - - SKI CLUB - - OF - - GREAT BRITAIN - - CONTAINS - - Articles by Practical Men about Ski-running - Centres in - - _GREAT BRITAIN_, - _NORWAY_, - _GERMANY_, - _SWITZERLAND_, - _AUSTRIA_, - _ETC._, _ETC._ - - As well as a great deal of other interesting - and useful information about the Sport. - The book is edited by - - E. H. WROUGHTON, - - and is published for the Club by Horace - Cox, Bream’s Buildings, London, E.C. - - PRICE ONE SHILLING. - - - - -THE - -ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF SKI. - -By D. M. M. CRICHTON SOMERVILLE. - - -There are many people to whom the word “ski” must be an enigma, and -everything connected with the pastime “ski-ing” as a sealed book. The -object of the present treatise is, therefore, to solve the puzzle, -open the pages of the closed volume, and thus throw light on a sport -which, when once learnt, will be found more attractive, healthy, and -invigorating than any other winter exercise, provided, of course, that -it be not carried on (as often is the case) to excess, but is indulged -in only by those who are sound of wind and limb. - -For the sake of the uninitiated, it may be explained that _ski_ -(pronounced she) is a word of foreign origin, which, up to -comparatively recent years, has been translated “snowshoe,” a term -which conveys a wrong idea of the appliances in question, even -supposing it might be more fitly given to the forerunners of the ski, -viz., pattens formed of withes or wood, which are used in many parts -at the present day, and of which the Indian or Canadian snowshoe is -a modified type, and best known to British sportsmen.[1] The ski, -however, are of different construction, being formed of narrow boards, -7ft. and more in length, upturned at the toe to allow of their being -shoved or slid over the snow, when attached to the feet of the wearer. - -With the exception of snow skates (iron shod runners some 2ft. in -length, for use on roadways and hard surfaces) they are the only kind -of foot gear used for the purpose of gliding on snow, and possess many -advantages over other snowshoes, not the least being their capability -of being used for pleasure, as well as the necessary outdoor pursuits -of daily life. - -Until comparatively late years the employment of ski as contrivances -for travelling on the snow was unknown to the majority of those -inhabiting the more populated parts of the civilised globe, where -communication can nearly always be kept open by rail, steamboat, or -other means; notwithstanding that they are, and have been used from -time immemorial during many months of the year by a large portion of -the population of Northern and Central Asia, Russia, Scandinavia, -and even the southern parts of Eastern Europe, where the winters are -severe. Casual allusions to them in the writings of some few sporting -authors did not suffice to bring the ski into other than mere passing -notice; and they would probably have remained in obscurity but for -the somewhat recent discovery that they could be employed for other -purposes than those of mere locomotion, or keeping open communication -in lands and districts where snows are deep, and highways lie buried or -are unknown. - -It may be of interest to mention here that, in remote parts of England, -ski appear to have been employed so late even as the middle of the past -century, their use being discontinued as communication with the outer -world became easier. Thus, apart from information derived from other -sources respecting finds of ski, or their remains in various parts, one -gentleman, writing from Cumberland in February, 1904, states that, in -the dales of Yorkshire and Durham, the sport is by no means new, and -that forty years ago he went to his school on “skees,” which were made -of beech wood, some 5ft. in length, with “nibs” about 3in., and that -it was no uncommon practice in those days for the Weardale miners to -go to and from their work on such snowshoes, it being a fine thing to -see thirty or forty men gliding down the steep slopes from the mines at -a speed equal to that of a railway train. The writer also adds that, -amongst the youths, skee-jumping was a favourite pastime, and that he -believes the practice was a very old one from the fact that he knew -boys of his own age who had come into possession of “skees” once owned -by their grand-fathers.[2] - -To judge from the description given by the author of “Lorna Doone,” -a form of ski was, probably, known in Devonshire some 300 years ago, -where also sledges were employed throughout the entire year instead of -wheeled vehicles for carting in farm products. In the story he relates -how when, during the great frost of 1625, John Ridd was told that, in -the Arctic regions, any man might get along with a “boat” on either -foot to prevent his sinking in the snow--such “boats” being made very -strong and light, of ribs with skin across them, 5ft. long by 1ft. -wide, and turned up at each end, even as a canoe is--he built himself -a pair of strong and light snowshoes, framed of ash, and ribbed of -withy with half-tanned calf skin stretched across, and an inner sole to -support his feet. “At first,” he says, “I could not walk at all, but -floundered about most piteously, catching one shoe in the other, and -both of them in the snowdrifts (just as a beginner would now), to the -great amusement of the maidens who were come to look at me.” - -From the above description such ski would have resembled those of the -Chukchis in North-East Asia. - -It is due, however, to the youth of Norway that ski-ing has of late -years been reduced to a pleasure and an art; while the notice it -has received abroad is owing mainly to the prominence given to it -by accounts furnished to, and published in, English sporting and -illustrated journals, and to allusions to it in the writings of various -arctic explorers who have lately taken ski with them on their journeys -as part of their travelling outfit. - -[Illustration: FIG. 1.--An early form of Snowshoe. - -From a Sketch by Laurentius Urdahl.] - -In turning to the history of the ski, it will be found that their -origin is as much lost in oblivion as that of the wheel; but it is not -too much to assume that human beings who have been created to adapt -themselves to their surroundings at all times, have, in lands far -separated and entirely apart, invented somewhat similar appliances -with which they could float, as it were, and proceed over depths of -snow that would otherwise bury them, or cross tracts of treacherous -ice which would give way under the tread of a human foot. In this -connection one need not refer solely to inhabitants of wintry -countries, for it will be found that the natives of other regions, who -have to traverse yielding surfaces, such as the great mud flats of -Hampshire and elsewhere, wear pattens on their feet, and are thus able -to wander in safety over a substance too soft to bear them otherwise. -Such pattens are almost identical with those employed elsewhere for -travelling over snow, and consist of slabs of wood, some 16in. to -18in. long, by 12in. or so in width, which are attached to the feet -by toe straps and thongs. In these pattens, no matter whether they be -made of withes or solid wood, we undoubtedly find the earliest form of -snowshoes or ski, a form which, however, exists to the present day, -and is met with in the north-eastern and northern portions of Asia, -Thibet, the Caucasus, Armenia, Scandinavia, Germany, Switzerland, and, -in a modified form, in North America, the principle of construction -there being identical, viz., a ring or framework of wood supporting a -net work of withes or sinews. There are, however, various modifications -of the original round pattern; some of the shoes, possibly to prevent -straddling, are more or less elongated, the length being increased as -the breadth is diminished, while some, thus shaped, have occasionally -leather stretched between the frames to allow of their wearer gliding, -instead of walking, over the snow, and thus become veritable ski; for -while the original object of the snowshoe or patten and the ski are -identical, viz., to support a weight on yielding surfaces, the patten -remains a shoe for walking purposes, while the ski becomes a blade on -which to slide. From this explanation the difference between patten or -snowshoe and ski is possibly made clear for the first time. - -While, as previously mentioned, it is impossible to trace the origin -of the ski, mention of snowshoes is made hundreds of years before the -Christian era. Xenophon refers to their being worn (as in Scandinavia -to the present day) by the horses of the Armenians to prevent their -sinking in the deep snow. Historical mention, from a period before -Christ, is also made of the mountaineers of the Caucasus attaching -discs of leather (probably leather-covered wood), studded with nails, -to their feet to enable them to move over the snows of the fells. The -ancient accounts, however, all refer to the patten, but Norwegian -traditions dating back some 1,600 years make mention of the ski. The -Greek historian, Prokopius, as well as other writers, including King -Alfred of England, from 550 A.D. to 1070 A.D., drew attention to the -Lapps, who were called “Skrid Finner,”[3] one saying they were the best -of all men at ski-ing, and the fact of it being the Lapps who wore the -ski, or who were the great exponents of ski-ing in those early times, -would tend to confirm the theory of the ski themselves originating in -Central Asia--those parts of the old world from which the Ugrians or -Finns, Samoyeds, and other tribes of Mongols migrated northward and -westward, till stopped by the waters of the Atlantic on the shores of -the Scandinavian peninsula. There can be little doubt, however, that -pattens were used for hundreds, if not thousands, of years before -the thought of sliding over the snow, which led to the introduction -of ski, entered the head of some inventive genius. The original ski -were probably constructed by the Chukchis, or similar tribes, near -the Behring Straits, or Sea of Okhotsk. They were formed, as already -intimated, of elongated frames covered with leather, and were modified, -subsequently, as migration increased, forests were met with, and wood -was found to be a better and more durable material for the purpose -required. - -It will thus be seen that ski were extensively used in olden times -by the Scandinavians as well as others. They also found their way -from Norway to Iceland and Greenland. Of ski there are many types. -The skridsko (sliding shoes), or ski of the Lapps, appear, if one is -to judge from old illustrations from the sixteenth century (Figs. 2 -and 3), to have been veritable shoes, the feet being placed in a hole -made for the purpose at the heel of the ski. They are thus depicted -as elongated (some 3ft. long) sabots. There is, however, no reason for -assuming these sabot skis to have been the original form, for they -were, at best, but a hybrid type of ingenious construction, possibly -only used by the inhabitants of certain districts. The true Lapps’ -ski, on the other hand, were comparatively short and broad, attached -to the feet by toe straps and thongs, and covered with the skins of -reindeer calves for the purpose of letting them glide easily without -accumulating snow on the soles, of keeping the wood from splitting or -fraying, and because, when thus covered, it was easier to ascend the -slopes of the hills, the hairs which lay fore and aft, checking the -tendency to slide backwards. - -[Illustration: FIG. 2.--Skrid-Finner hunting (Olaus Magnus, _ca._ -1550).] - -[Illustration: FIG. 3.--Skrid-Finner (Olaus Magnus, _ca._ 1550)]. - -Such skin-clad ski were, and are still, employed by the Lapps, as -well as by others in Scandinavia, Finland, and throughout Siberia; -but several other types have, nevertheless, been used in Lapland for -centuries. In Scandinavia and the North, these skin-covered appliances -go by the name of “aandre,” “ondurr,” “andor,” to distinguish them from -the plain ski. As, however, the advantages of the skin are not now -generally considered sufficient to counterbalance the disadvantages, -they are gradually disappearing. - -There can be little doubt but that the greatest development of the ski -has taken place in Europe, notably in Scandinavia, where they have -been modified to suit the different requirements of the districts in -which they are employed. Thus have the varied types hitherto been -many, but may be divided generally into two groups, viz., the short -and broad, or loose snow ski, and the long and narrow, or compact -snow variety (“skare ski”), this latter pattern being represented by -the Oesterdal and Swedish ski (originally one very long and one short -ski, but now generally of equal length). These are the most suitable -for open country, whether in the lowlands or mountains, and on level -or undulating land are superior, so far as speed is concerned, to all -others; but in broken country, or on mountains where obstacles such -as trees, rocks, &c., are to be met with, the shorter or “loose snow” -patterns, owing to their handiness, are invariably employed. - -Almost every province, it may be said almost every district, throughout -Scandinavia possessed its own type of ski. In Russia they have possibly -been of a more homogeneous character than elsewhere, owing to the -snow-clad portions of that empire consisting of vast plains which call -for no variety of form. Of comparatively late years, however, there has -been a tendency in Norway to adopt one sort for universal use, and a -sub (lighter) variety for leaping purposes. It is a modified Telemarken -(loose snow) type, eminently suited to every purpose, and is gradually -superseding all other forms throughout Scandinavia. - -Of accessories to the ski, the staff has invariably been recognised -as a necessity (except in leaping competitions, when it becomes a -source of the greatest danger) and should always form part of the -outfit on all long excursions or journeys. It assists the skier both -in aiding him when ascending, and as a brake when descending difficult -slopes, or as a means of defence if attacked by animals. The Lapps -use it, too, as an offensive weapon when attacking wolves, which -they occasionally run down on their ski, and kill by a well-directed -blow on the snout, or across that most vulnerable spot, the loins of -the beast. The most effectual use of the staff can only be learnt -by experience or teaching. The fastenings may be regarded as other -important accessories, and but a few years ago, and in many parts even -still consist solely of toe straps formed of withes or leather. These -simple contrivances suited all the requirements of the expert peasants, -and it is only of late years, when leaping was introduced, and the -ski put to other and harder purposes than originally intended, that -stronger and more secure bindings became necessary. Of these, there are -many sorts, all good, but none perfect as yet. In some instances the -latter may be a source of great danger owing to its being impossible, -when peril faces one, or accidents occur, to remove the ski from the -feet, and notably so when a man breaks through treacherous snow-covered -ice, owing to the ski preventing him from regaining the surface. But -while several fatal accidents have occurred in this manner, it is -possible that others have been avoided by the greater command of the -ski afforded to most people by secure fastenings. - -[Illustration: HOLMENKOLLEN. - -_Photo by Rude, Christiania._] - -Having now given an outline of the history and origin of the ski, it -may be well to refer to the movement by which ski-ing has been brought -into the prominent notice of sportsmen and admirers of winter pastimes. -In the extensive and mountainous district of Telemarken, Norway, one in -which ski were employed possibly more extensively than in any other, -owing to its remoteness, and the wretched state of the few highways and -byways to be found there, the peasants discovered that the ski might be -used for pleasure as well as ordinary pursuits, and arranged meetings -at which races were run, and the leaping powers of competitors tested -on the slopes of selected hills. By degrees news of these trials of -skill found its way to the towns and the populated districts in their -neighbourhood, and some few citizens having found ski-ing to be a good, -and to them attractive, exercise, determined to hold similar meetings -at Christiania each winter. The accounts given of those meetings are -very ludicrous, the hill being neither steep nor long, the competitors -riding astride their poles down the track, and only jumping, if jumping -it could be called, a few yards. The exhibitions did not “catch on,” -and were discontinued for many years. The townsfolk knew too little -about the sport to appreciate it, and the absurd, if not painful, -appearance of the competitors was not encouraging to aspirants. Towards -the end of the seventies, however, owing chiefly to the exertions -of the Christiania Ski Club--a select institution with but few -members--some Telemarken peasants[4] were induced to visit the capital, -and in the early part of 1879 a ski meeting was held on the slopes of -the hill at Huseby, near Christiania, which was attended by a couple -of the countrymen, who took part, together with other competitors, in -the races and leaping that had been arranged. The Huseby slope was -one which, only a few years previously, had been described as highly -dangerous, and impossible to descend when the snow was fast and in good -condition. - -The leaping competition proved most highly interesting. though in -some respects quite comical. Every man, except the Telemarkings, -carried a long, stout staff, and on that, so they thought, their lives -depended. Starting from the summit, riding their poles, as in former -times, like witches on broom-sticks, checking the speed with frantic -efforts, they slid downwards to the dreaded platform or “hop” from -which they were supposed to leap, but over which they but trickled, -as it were, and, landing softly beneath, finally reached the bottom -somehow, thankful for their safe escape from the dreaded slide. But -then came the Telemark boys, erect at starting, pliant, confident, -without anything but a fir branch in their hands, swooping downwards -with ever-increasing impetus until with a bound they were in the air, -and 76ft. of space was cleared ere, with a resounding smack, their ski -touched the slippery slope beneath, and they shot onwards to the plain, -where suddenly they turned, stopped in a smother of snow dust, and -faced the hill they had just descended! That was a sight worth seeing, -and one never to be forgotten, even if in after years such performances -have been, in a way, totally eclipsed. - -This wonderful exhibition of the peasants’ skill naturally excited -the greatest interest, and acted on the townsfolk like a charm. -Their leaping was regarded as one of the wonders of the world, and -in subsequent years people flocked to Christiania from far and wide -to witness it. Then came the turn of the tide, the eyes of the city -youths became opened--the eyes of those who, during the long winter -days had, for want of better occupation, frequented billiard-rooms or -ill-ventilated cafés, where the seeds of idleness and vice lay ready -to strike root. By degrees such old haunts became forsaken, for the -attractions of the newly-found sport proved greater than those of the -bottle, and even if they failed to attract and reform the _majority_ -of men just at that period, they certainly had a most beneficial -influence on many, and, as time advanced, on the younger generation, -who were able to take to the pastime before bad customs could affect -their ways. Like other things, especially before its novelty had worn -off, ski-ing was, and often still is, carried to an excess, but that it -is a healthy pastime is a fact beyond all doubt. To men it came as a -boon and a blessing, and subsequently to women and girls, who, in the -short winter days and close confinement to the house, suffered terribly -from anæmia and all its attendant evils. At the time referred to the -fair sex was debarred by public opinion from participating in masculine -pursuits, and it is not so very long ago that pater and materfamilias -looked askance at girls who donned the ski. That is all changed now, -however, and ski-ing has produced of later years a race of robust men -and healthy women, presenting the greatest possible contrast to those -who lived “in the good old times,” unconscious of the benefits of -exercise and fresh air, shut up in close and dingy rooms to escape from -the dreaded cold and the touch of an icy blast. - -For some years the peasants carried all before them, both in the racing -and leaping competitions. They were steady on their legs, accustomed -to the mountain slopes from their infancy, and could out-pace and -out-distance all competitors. They did not, however, understand the art -of training; the townsmen soon saw they could not get on without that, -and ended at last in beating their teachers on all points, first in -jumping, which they practised as an art, and, secondly, in racing given -distances. - -It may be well now to touch upon ski-ing proper, or the employment of -ski for the purpose for which they were originally intended, viz., -travelling over snow-clad land or ice. By means of these appliances -people are enable to roam at will, enjoying the fresh, crispy air, the -pretty landscape, and changing scenery, combined with the pleasant -sensation of gliding, instead of tramping, over the surface of the -country. The speed attained is certainly not very great, and is about -the same in hilly as on level country, for in the former the time lost -in ascending slopes is made up on the descent. In racing, the time -made by the best men, travelling lightly clad, and under the best -conditions of snow and weather, works out at about eight and a half -miles an hour on a course of a little over nine miles, and nearly -eight miles an hour on one of eighteen and a half miles. In racing, -the longest distance ever run at a stretch was covered by a Lapp, -who, at Jokkmokk, in Sweden, made a good 137 miles in 21 hours and 22 -minutes, over comparatively level ground, thus at a rate of about six -and a half miles an hour. Ordinary travellers, or soldiers on ski, -would find five to five and a half miles an hour quite sufficient -to tax their powers. In 1900, a detachment of the Norwegian Guards -accomplished a march of 125 miles in seven and a half days, an average -of some seventeen and a half miles a day, which must be looked upon as -a very good performance, considering that they carried canvas wherewith -to improvise tents, sleeping bags, and provisions, and moved up hill -and down dale, once ascending to a height of 4,000ft. above the sea -level. It will thus be seen that, in marching trim, soldiers on ski -do not travel faster, or to any great extent faster, than infantry at -other times, the only advantage of the ski being that, when the snow -lies, they are able to move about, and get along in parts where men -not provided with such appliances, or snowshoes, would be compelled to -remain idle. - -Attention may now be drawn to leaping, which was originally learned by -the Norwegians on the slopes of their hills when inequalities of ground -would, during a rapid descent, cause the wearer to bound through the -air for some distance, possibly only a yard or two, but sufficient, -anyway, to create a longing for a little more. This led the peasants -to make an artificial rise on the face of a hill, and there meet to -see who could leap farthest. In no other country was the leaping ever -attempted, and it is primarily due to it that ski-ing caught on, and -became so popular in Norway as to throw all other pleasures into the -shade, and attain its present position as _the_ national pastime of -the people. To be understood ski-leaping must be seen. No photograph -or description can ever give a proper idea of it. Many of those who -now appear as the best leapers are men who devote their chief energies -to this branch of the sport, and who attend all the meetings they -possibly can. They might be called “pot hunters,” but this term can, -fortunately, be hardly applied to them as yet, for the remuneration of -a prize can scarcely repay the expenses they incur in loss of time, -travelling, &c. They, in fact, perform for the love of the amusement, -and, it may be said, nothing else except, possibly, renown. Ever since -the peasants, in 1879, startled the country by their leaping powers, -jumping has steadily improved, _i.e._, in length, and in the courage -or daring of the leapers. But, while acknowledging this to some -extent, it must be considered doubtful whether the modern wonderful -accomplishments equal or surpass those of the Telemarken peasants, who, -some twenty odd years ago, made bounds of 70ft. and upwards, with their -ordinary country outfit of home-made ski, simply fastened with toe -straps of twisted withes, whereas now men wear ski specially made for -the purpose, strapped securely to their boots. - -It may be of interest to conclude by giving a list of those who have -made the longest leaps, and continued their course without a spill. - - -Records of leaps in which the men kept their feet after landing on the -snow, so-called “standing leaps”: - - Year. Name. Place. Length of Jump. - 1879. Torjus Hemmestvedt Christiania 76 feet. - 1893. Torjus Hemmestvedt Red Wing, U.S.A. 103 ” - 1898. Sven Sollid } - } Solberg, pr. Christiania 103½ ” - ” Cato Aal } - ” Tollef Hemmestvedt - (16 years old) Telemarken 99 ” - 1899. Asbjörn Nielsen } - } Solberg, pr. Christiania 107 ” - ” Morten Hansen } - 1900. Olaf Tandberg Solberg, pr. Christiania 116½ ” - 1902. Paul Nesjö (18 years - old) Trondhjem 130 ” - ” Nils Gjestvang Modum 134½ ” - -From the above it will be seen that the longest leap recorded was one -of 134½ft., truly a wonderful performance, and one that could only be -accomplished on an exceedingly steep hill by most able performers. - -In penning the above the writer trusts that he has thrown some light on -the origin and history of ski, and the purpose to which they have been -devoted of late years by the Norwegians, the founders of the sport of -ski-ing. - - - - -CONTINENTAL SKI-RUNNING. - -By W. R. RICKMERS. - - -If dates there must be, historians will do well to take February 8th, -1891, as the day on which the sport of ski-ing took root outside of -Scandinavia. On that day Dr. Pilet, French Consul at Kolmar, appeared -at the Hotel Feldbergerhof, Feldberg, Black Forest, with a pair of ski, -and since then the Black Forest has been the centre of ski-running -in Germany, whence it has spread to Switzerland, chiefly through the -efforts of W. Paulcke, whose crossing of the Bernese Oberland in the -nineties caused a great sensation and induced many mountaineers to show -an interest in the new sport. - -There had been many sporadic efforts before and outside of Dr. Pilet’s -enthusiastic propaganda, but his was destined to bear fruit before all -the others owing to the favourable conditions under which it started, -for the Feldberg is an admirable field to insure the rapid growth of -such a seed. The hotel lies at a height of over 3,000ft., and has for -many years been open throughout the entire winter, whereas, most other -places of a similar character were formerly shut up and deserted during -the snowy season. Even before the days of ski-ing many lovers of Nature -had visited the mountain to spend a few days above the mist and slush -to which a series of mild winters has now accustomed the inhabitants of -the plains. Add to this the close proximity of Freiburg, a university -town full of young and energetic men, and we have the explanation why -here the first ski-missionary was so successful. True, St. Moritz had -a far better chance, but there the first impulse would have been -smothered by the conservative inertia of a fashionable crowd. - -In the usual course of events Austria would simply have followed the -lead of Freiburg, and have been content with a very gradual increase of -the ski-running public. But here there arose a man, Herr Zdarsky, who, -single-handed, and through his untiring personal efforts, furthered -the sport by leaps and bounds. He invented a special ski of his own, -commonly known as the “Lilienfeld” (see p. 42). He taught himself, for -he had never seen a ski-runner, and he elaborated a scientific method -of teaching the various movements and evolutions. He may have opinions -of his own, some of which may have been proved to be relatively wrong, -or have been vetoed by a majority, but the fact remains that he was -the first systematic teacher of ski-running. To him we owe a published -theory of ski-ing as specially applicable to steep and difficult -Alpine ground; while many, including the writer of these lines, enjoy -the honour of being his disciples. This honour was not, in the first -instance, without its drawbacks, for a theory, especially if it be -new and original, is a fertile source of dissension. The theory would -perhaps have been forgotten, and the “Lilienfeld” fastening might now -be rusting in the patent office, had Herr Zdarsky not been a man of -action endowed with an iron will. Practice carried the day. Ten years -ago there was one pupil at Lilienfeld; last winter (1905) over 1,200 -received instruction from this indefatigable pioneer, to whose village -special trains carry devotees from Vienna every Sunday. - -The differences between the Zdarsky school and the Black Forest -threatened to assume alarming proportions, for, strange to say, both -sides had seen little of each other, and a host of misunderstandings -arose between them over theoretical opinions concerning style and -fastening. Fortunately the storm has now blown over, for many things -have been cleared up, and the old hands have ceased to bother their -heads about the best fastening or the best method. Thus the “Lilienfeld -Strife” is a chapter of history, an interesting phase in the evolution -of our noble sport. To put the matter in a nutshell, the Black Forest -looks at the question of ski and style exclusively from the Norwegian -point of view of all-round excellence, whereas Lilienfeld approaches -the subject with the sole idea of quickly teaching the beginner how to -run safely on mountainous ground. Had this been properly understood at -once, there would have been no quarrelling, for these two standpoints -are not antagonistic, but complementary. The general theoretical truth -is the mean between the two, whereas the absolutely practical method is -their application to the age, physique, talents, and inclinations of -each particular individual intent upon learning to ski. - -In Switzerland there has been no less interest shown in ski-ing than -elsewhere, and it is doubtless destined to be the great ski-ing country -of the future, boasting, as it does, of mountains, snowy valleys, and a -thriving population. Norwegians have told me that, according to their -belief, they may some day be surpassed by the Swiss, who have at their -disposal a much greater choice of long and steep slopes. In Switzerland -the natives and the visitors, as a rule, know very little of each -other. The natives have taken the cue from the Black Forest, whereas -the visitors, mostly English, have exhibited a laudable impartiality -and an enthusiasm which bids fair to raise ski-running to the first -rank among British winter sports. - - * * * * * - - NOTE.--In the foregoing article Mr. Rickmers has omitted one or - two points in the development of Continental ski-running which - may here be mentioned. - - The translation of books treating of polar expeditions, and, - in particular, the eloquent passage about ski in Dr. Nansen’s - First Crossing of Greenland, was largely responsible for the - first growth of the sport on the Continent. History, too, has - repeated itself, and Norwegian students resident in foreign - universities and technical schools have played much the same part - in Germany and Switzerland as the early Telemarkings played in - Christiania. We remember well the astonishment and enthusiasm - which was aroused at the meeting of the Glarus Club in 1903, when - Messrs. Heyderdahl and Holte gave an exhibition of leaping and - quick turning. Never had the people seen such a sight before, and - the good seed sown took root, and bore green shoots at once in - the shape of numerous little jumps constructed by the juvenile - population. And as in Glarus, so in other places, people were - suddenly awakened by an exhibition of expert skill to the immense - possibilities of the long unwieldy-looking boards. - - Great praise is also due to such men as Dr. Paulcke, of Freiburg; - Herr Iselin, of Glarus; Herr Von de Beauclair, of Bern (to - mention only three), for the organisation and conduct of ski - clubs in their special districts, and the holding of race - meetings and courses of instruction presided over by Norwegian - experts. Other clubs sprang up in all directions, and a great - number of meetings began to be held in different parts of the - country. In Switzerland, indeed, this soon became a source of - inconvenience, for every little club had its championships which - professed to cover a far larger area than fact warranted. It was - accordingly arranged last year (1904) to form a large central - association for all Switzerland, which, in due course, held its - meeting at Glarus on January 21st, 1905. - - Even as these lines are going to press the news comes to hand - of a large association of all the clubs of Central Europe, and, - although in the meanwhile no central meeting is contemplated, it - seems more than probable that some arrangement of the sort will, - at no very distant period, be found convenient. - - At these Continental gatherings it was last year (1904) decided - to observe the same principles as in Norway, and the chief - honours are now awarded to those competitors who show the - greatest skill in both long-distance racing and jumping. The - long-distance race is thus, in the main, a test of speed and - endurance, whilst the jump shows whether a runner is courageous, - quick-witted, and skilful as well as strong. - - The use of ski from a military point of view is somewhat outside - the scope of a book of this kind which proposes to deal with them - chiefly as instruments of sport. It is sufficient to say here - that the military authorities of all the principal Continental - Powers have given practical recognition of the value of ski - in winter warfare, and it is now usual to hold races designed - specially for soldiers at all ski meetings of importance. In the - opinion of all _competent_ judges, ski would be of great value - in the north-west frontier of India, but up till the present no - good ski-runner has been invited by the Government to put matters - to the test. For an interesting essay on the subject see Mr. H. - Chubb’s article in the Ski Club of Great Britain’s Year-Book, No. - 1., Vol. I.--ED. - -[Illustration: A NORWEGIAN SOLDIER. - -_Photo by A. B. Wilse._] - - - - -THE ELEMENTS OF SKI-RUNNING. - -By W. R. RICKMERS and E. C. RICHARDSON. - - -INTRODUCTION. - -Ski-running is a sport which literally throws one into a whirl of -excitement from the moment one starts learning it. Thus the novice -who has once tried will not worry over the question as to how long he -will take to master the art. The constant repetition, however, of the -inquiry: “How long does it take to learn ski-running?” forces us to -make some kind of reply, though unwilling to compromise ourselves by -laying down a hard and fast rule. Given, then, a pair of ski, snow, -correct methods, and a certain amount of patience, anyone gifted with -average pluck and muscle should know enough after a week’s practice to -enjoy excursions of four or five hours’ length. The practice of the -first day or two is always the most trying, but after this progress -becomes rapid. Every beginner falls continually and expends an enormous -amount of energy in getting up again, and every beginner misapplies the -greater part of his strength in other directions. But an elementary -balance is soon gained, and one quickly learns how to make those -little movements of the thigh muscles which save so much. We are far -from saying that at the end of a week you will be even a moderately -good ski-runner. Downhill your more skilful companions will be able -to leave you far behind, and you will be sorely embarrassed when the -ground is at all difficult. But at the end of that time you ought to -be far enough advanced to enjoy something of the sensations of a swift -descent, and to enter upon the confines of that territory of snow-clad -forest and mountain which it will be your special privilege to visit. -And that is already much. - -Whilst it is our belief that no other form of exercise offers greater -opportunities for the development of individual skill, it is certain -that in no other are the surroundings more beautiful or more novel. -The landscape is, as it were, transfigured, for the commonest objects -become ennobled when swathed in the flowing garb of the snow-drift, -with its sparkle of iridescent hues. There is a stillness and a -clearness and a blueness of the atmosphere, and a play of golden -sunlight through the branches of the pine trees, standing so erect and -silent, sleeping till the return of spring. And above the trees fresh -wonders lie in store. Vast slopes of snow, broken here and there by -some dark rock, and behind them the soaring watch-towers of the Alps, -with their time-worn battlements and shattered walls. Below, in the -gulf of the valley, lies the village, diminutive like a German toy at -the bottom of a staircase; and on the other side rise whitened slopes, -with clusters of tiny châlets, snow-covered and silent; and far away in -the enchanted distance, clear-cut, yet mystical, stretches a fairyland -of filmy peak and glacier, blending its opalescence with the blue -of heaven. A week is surely a short apprenticeship to serve for the -enjoyment of these wonders, and we honestly believe that, if you are -reasonably strong and diligent, you can see them at the end of that -time. - -Like most things, ski-running is best learnt young. A certain -suppleness of limb characterises the style of those who have begun -in childhood, and this, like the true accent of a foreign language, -is most difficult to acquire in after years. Nevertheless, it is -astonishing what can be achieved long after the muscles have set. In -proof of which we may instance that two really good runners with whom -we are acquainted did not begin, in the one case till after thirty and -in the other till after fifty. We do not, therefore, consider it likely -that you are too old to learn, though we are willing to believe that -you may be too lazy! - -An encouraging feature of the sport is the constant improvement one -makes. In many other pursuits a point seems soon to be reached beyond -which further progress is very difficult. But with ski-running -every season brings its due measure of advance. A well-known skater -is credited with the observation that anybody could learn to skate, -but that to be a first-class ski-runner one must not only be born on -ski, but live on them constantly for eighty years--an hyperbole which -contains a strong element of truth. Of course, as in other things, an -early beginning is of great value, but a natural aptitude can very well -be developed late in life. It is the object of a book of this kind to -provide instruction in those methods which experience has shown to be -useful, and we believe that if the beginner will himself help us by -using his intelligence, he will be very materially assisted by the -perusal of these pages. At the same time, it must not be forgotten that -the best we can hope to do is to place before him a sort of grammar -of the sport. The spoken language, the unconscious and instantaneous -adaptation of the various positions advocated to the circumstances of -the case, can only be acquired by practice directed by common sense. - - -PART I. - -THE GROUND AND THE SNOW. - -Wherever there is snow, there one _can_ ski; whether one safely _may_ -is another question, whereof more anon. Absence of snow, or snow -transformed into blue ice, are therefore the well-defined limits to the -possibilities of the sport. - -There is no kind of surface capable of harbouring snow which has not -been tried on ski, from the plain, with its unbroken sheet of white, to -the rugged mountain side, where narrow channels have to be navigated -amid toothed reefs and giddy precipices. - -Every pedestrian knows the infinite variety there is in landscape; how -an ever-changing aspect of the surface is created by the geological -nature of the soil (sand, moor, rock)--the vegetation (grass, heather, -forest)--the inclination of the slopes and other topographical features -(downs, hills, mountains, valleys, lakes); not to forget the work of -man (his houses, fences, roads, and ditches). For the ski-runner this -great variety of ground is increased a hundredfold by the different -states of the snow, which he learns to distinguish in the course of his -outings. The changes snow is capable of are wonderful to behold, and -the observant tourist never ceases to discover some kind or condition -which is new to him. There is soft, flaky, fresh-fallen snow; there -is downy, fluffy, powdery, floury, crystalline, brittle, salt-like, -slithery, gelatinous, watery snow; there is snow as hard and white -as marble, and snow with a thick crust which breaks into big slabs; -there can be a layer of soft or powdery stuff on a hard sheet, or a -thin, glassy film over loose snow. We have seen it in thin scales, -the size of half-crowns, rustling under the ski like the leaves of an -autumn forest, or, again, in the form of long, streaky crystals, like -asbestos. Often it lies pat and smooth over the rounded hills; at other -times it will be a frozen turmoil of waves, ridges, and grooves! - - -VARIABLE GROUND IS DESIRABLE. - -In stating that it is possible to ski on every kind of snow and on -every form of snow-covered ground, it is at the same time to be -observed that some kinds of snow and some kinds of ground are more -suitable for the sport than others. And as regards the ground, most -people prefer it to be as varied as possible. We do not like it to be -all precipitous mountain-side or all dead level, or, for that matter, -all undulating glade. Nor do we desire our slopes to be always smooth -and easy, any more than we wish them always broken and difficult. A -happy combination of all these things is best. We adore the straight, -smooth descent of a long incline, with its wind-song in the ears and -its snow spray in the face, but we have also an affection for turning -hither and thither amongst trees and rocks. And even level running, -which the beginner is apt to despise, is much more interesting and much -more difficult than many people are inclined to believe. - - -THE SNOW SHOULD BE UNIFORM. - -But, whilst the ground itself should be varied, it is most desirable -that the snow upon it should be of uniform quality throughout. Sudden -changes, as, for example, when a thin crust will bear for some distance -and then suddenly give way, are not only unpleasant, but sometimes -positively dangerous. Perhaps the best of all snow is that which has -rested for some time undisturbed at a temperature a few degrees below -freezing point. Under such favourable conditions the tiny crystals of -which it is composed settle down and pack together, forming a mass, the -compactness of which increases with its depth. Nor does the surface -remain unchanged, for here the dew condenses, and in freezing forms -the innumerable thin leaf-like films above mentioned. The ski glide -very easily over these, and sink into the compacter substratum just far -enough to admit of easy steering. - -Another capital snow condition is when a hard crust has been formed, -on the top of which more snow falls to the depth of a few inches, the -first few flakes of the new fall being wet, so as to adhere to the old -crust and prevent slipping. - -Wind-driven snow is not usually very good, but sometimes, if the -temperature be not too low, it will form itself into a compact floury -sort of substance, which will stick slightly to the ski to a degree -just sufficient to help up-hill, but not enough to cause annoyance or -to prevent a free passage downwards. Very hard snow is bad both for -climbing and for glissading, for up-hill it becomes necessary to stamp -vigorously in order to obtain a footing, and down-hill the lack of side -grip renders steering very difficult. But quite watery snow, especially -if it be shallow, often affords capital sport. - - -STICKY SNOW. - -The worst condition possible for ski-running is when, the temperature -being slightly above freezing, the snow “balls.” This sometimes occurs -with old snow when the sun is very hot, but much more frequently -immediately after a fresh fall. The cause of balling is that water -is formed on the surface, which, being pressed down into the colder -substratum, re-freezes, and adheres to the bottom of the ski: to this, -being again wetted, large clods of the “binding” snow readily attach -themselves; sliding becomes out of the question, and one is obliged at -every step to lift many pounds’ weight of mingled snow, water, and -ice. Some partial cures for this evil exist, and will be found at the -end of the book at page 105; but they are at the best but makeshifts, -and to our minds ski-running in sticky snow is never really enjoyable. -Fortunately, this state of affairs is not nearly so common as one might -at first imagine, for after the snow has settled, even if the air be -warm, the ski do not usually sink in sufficiently to reach the cold -under-surface, and no re-freezing, the primary cause of sticking, takes -place. - - -CRUSTED SNOW. - -Another kind of bad snow occurs after warm weather followed by frost, -when an ice crust is formed. If sufficiently thick to bear, and if -slightly warm, this is not so bad; but if it bears in some places -and not in others a very irritating, and sometimes even dangerous, -state of affairs exists. The evil is aggravated when the sun’s rays, -penetrating, but not melting, the clear ice surface, are strong enough -to reach the ground below. This being dark coloured, is warmed, and, -of course, melts the snow which is close to it, forming large hollows, -which, though capital hot-houses for plants, are veritable traps for -the unwary ski-runner. On such a surface, when the crust is strong, the -ski will slide rapidly, but when it is rotten they will break through, -precipitating the runner forward, cutting his face and hands, and not -improbably spraining his limbs and breaking his ski. Turning on such -snow is a matter of extreme difficulty, for the pressure involved -usually breaks the crust, with similar disastrous results. It behoves -us to avoid such places, or, if we must cross them, to exercise extreme -caution in doing so. - - -PATCHY SNOW. - -A third, but less serious, sort of bad snow is commonly encountered, -when the surface, being for the most part firm and in good order, -becomes interrupted here and there by marble-like patches of very fine -powder. This is a state of affairs which often occurs high up, when the -cold is intense, and when strong winds blow fine snow over an otherwise -good surface. The powder settles on the lee side of any inequalities -and adheres to any slight irregularities. The ski glide very well -over the old snow, but are checked by the powder, and a fall forward -results. A little practice, however, soon enables one to distinguish -between the semi-transparent, crystalline, darker-looking, old snow -and the more opaque, white, fresh powder; and one learns how to make -allowances by leaning backwards or forwards. - - -“SKAVLER.” - -Another disagreeable variety of snow worthy of special mention is the -frozen turmoil of waves previously mentioned. This, too, occurs very -high up, and is caused by wind. In the Norwegian tongue it is known by -the expressive name of _skavler_. The ridges are sometimes as much as a -couple of feet high, and, being quite hard, they are very unpleasant to -traverse. They occur, of course, on the sides of mountains more exposed -to the wind. If one _must_ cross them, a long ski is preferable to a -short ski for the purpose, but there is often a way round if one looks -for it intelligently. - - -AN EYE FOR COUNTRY. - -In this connection it may be said at once that to choose one’s way -correctly and quickly, either up hill or down, is a most important part -of ski-running, demanding just about as much skill as the preservation -of the balance. What is known as _an eye for country_ seems to be -very largely a natural gift. Some people are always in difficulties, -whilst others, often less skilful in other respects, are able to find -their way almost intuitively across unknown ground. But, of course, -experience in this, as in other matters, counts for a great deal, and -what may at first sight strike the beginner as prophetic inspiration is -often nothing more than an application of previously acquired knowledge -to present conditions. It is impossible to give much information of -this kind in a book, but, nevertheless, a few hints on the subject may -be found useful. - -In the first place it may be said that as a general rule snow is in -better running condition on the north sides of hills, which are shaded -from the sun, than on the south, which are exposed to it. And this is -true not only of mountains as a whole, but of every little hillock -and inequality throughout their contour. Also it is to be observed -that the sun is warmer towards the middle of the day than in the -early morning, but that the temperature usually falls about a degree -Fahrenheit for every 300 feet one ascends. From which considerations -it is evident that it generally pays to climb a mountain on the south -side, where the snow will be firm, and, at all events late in the year, -to start early in the morning. The north side will usually be the -best for the descent, as there the snow will probably be powdery and -manageable. - -[Illustration: IN NORDMARKEN, NEAR CHRISTIANIA. - -_Photo by H. Abel._] - -Again, the direction of the prevalent winds, as above mentioned, has -considerable influence, and one will as a rule find the surface harder -on the weather than on the lee side of mountains. - -Another thing worth remembering is to proceed very carefully over stony -ground early in the year. If a stone be struck it will almost certainly -damage the ski, and very probably cause a spill; and in December many -stones are concealed by an inch or two of fluffy snow, which is no -adequate protection. By February, however, the covering will be both -deeper and firmer, and the risk will not be so great. Grass or small -heather, on the other hand, even though half exposed, does not stop the -free passage of the ski, but earth--as, for instance, that cast up by -a mole--is almost as bad as stones. So much for the mole-heap. - -Let us now pass to the consideration of mountains. - - -THE ETERNAL SNOWS. - -Concerning this kind of ground it is needful to give a word of serious -advice, to sound a note of warning--that is, about Alpine ground, -the high mountain, and more particularly the region of the glacier. -Winter among the _highest_ Alps taxes to the utmost the experience -and the qualities of the mountaineer. While affording the intensest -excitement and causing a feeling of the greatest elation when -successful, expeditions to these are never free from grave danger, as -is sufficiently demonstrated by the victims whom ski-mountaineering has -already claimed. The proportion of accidents is really appalling, and -should make the ski-runner pause before venturing unwarily into the -region of _eternal_ snow. To mountaineers we need only say: “Observe -the rules of your craft with redoubled watchfulness when ski-ing in the -Alps.” Others we must earnestly implore not to undertake an excursion -in the higher regions unless accompanied by experienced companions or -native guides. Good “ski-hills” recommended for downright enjoyment, -and free from conditions causing undue anxiety, are rarely higher than -8000 feet (sometimes 10,000 feet); and we strongly advise the beginner -to stick to such and to leave the more ambitious summits severely alone. - -In drawing this danger zone it must not, however, be assumed that every -mountain under the limit is safe. The mountains, as it were, recede -from us in the winter, and many summits and passes which afford a -pleasant stroll in the summer become fraught with difficulty when the -snow queen annexes them for a time to her dominions. Gracious to those -who have been properly “presented,” and who approach her in a spirit -of reverence, that lady arms herself against the _parvenu_ who would -force his way to her presence and shake her by the hand. Giddiness, -snow-blindness, frost-bites, snow-storms and mists, steep ice slopes, -hidden crevasses, tottering cornices, and last, but not least, the -avalanche, are amongst her weapons. In the use of these she is quite -pitiless, and she usually contrives to cunningly conceal them and to -pounce upon her victim when he is most off his guard. - - -GEOGRAPHICAL. - -The beginner who has followed us so far is probably now imbued with -the idea that ski-running is a most dangerous sport, and that if he is -not overwhelmed by an avalanche, he is pretty sure to break his leg in -some one or other of the kinds of bad snow which have been mentioned. -Let him take heart. By far the greater part of the snow-covered ground -within easy reach of his abode is sure to be perfectly safe, and, -provided that he is reasonably careful, the chances of an accident -are very small. During the months of January and February the snow is -usually in excellent condition in any of the usual winter resorts in -Norway or on the Continent,[5] and by going further afield very good -going may often be found until the end of April. - -Still, it is quite exceptional to enjoy a day’s expedition without -encountering a little bad or indifferent snow during some part of it, -on which occasions the difference between the beginner and the expert -will be more than ever apparent. The great secret is to go carefully, -but to keep moving. Make up your mind what you are going to do, and do -it. A hill is never anything like as difficult as it looks from the -top, but it is usually considerably higher than it looks from below. -In the clear atmosphere of such countries as Norway and Switzerland it -is very difficult to judge distances. The moral is to consult maps. In -Switzerland these are specially excellent, but even the very old and -somewhat inaccurate surveys of Norway are far more reliable than your -own or even the natives’ opinion about such matters. - -A corollary to the importance of maps is the importance of the pocket -compass, without which no party of ski-runners should ever venture far -from home. It is surprising how easily a mist or a heavy snow-storm -will cause one to lose one’s way, even on ground with which one is -perfectly familiar at other times. In doubtful weather take a bearing -or two as you go along. To do so takes very little time, and your -knowledge _may_ be of great value on your return journey. - -We may conclude this section by directing the reader’s attention to the -Year-Book of the Ski Club of Great Britain, which contains a great deal -of information about ski-running from a geographical point of view. No. -1 of Vol. I., which has just been issued, deals with important centres -for the sport in Great Britain, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, -&c., &c. The articles are all written by disinterested and practical -men, who are themselves ski-runners, and the reader could not do better -than turn to it for detailed information concerning any country which -he intends to visit. The book is edited by Mr. E. Wroughton, and is -published for the club by Horace Cox, Bream’s Buildings, London. It is -issued free to members of the club and for one shilling to the general -public. - - -PART II. - -OUTFIT. - -THE SKI. - -Almost every valley in Norway had at one time its own special type -of ski, supposed by its inhabitants to be peculiarly suited to their -requirements; and in other lands the variations have been no less -numerous and remarkable. Those interested in antiquities of this kind -are recommended to visit Herr Welhaven’s very large and complete -collection in Christiania, which it is to be hoped the Norwegian nation -will acquire and exhibit in a suitable museum before it is purchased -by some wealthy foreigner. We do not propose to weary the ordinary -reader with a minute description of the various types, especially -as time has shown the special virtues claimed for them to have been -largely imaginary. The very curious Oesterdal ski are, however, worthy -of special notice. In that district the natives used on the left foot -a very long (about 11ft.) and narrow ski, and on the right a shorter -(about 8ft.) and broader one, covered with elk’s or seal’s skin. The -hairy ski was used to push, climb, and turn on, and was called the -_Andor_; whilst the long one, called the _Langski_, was for resting on -when running straight. The long ski was of special value in crossing -the hard, lumpy snow so common in that wind-swept region. There was -much sense in this arrangement, for in point of fact one does as -a rule, even now, run on one ski and steer with the other; but we -fancy that the uneven movements on the level must have been somewhat -fatiguing. Be this as it may, the _Andor_ and the _Langski_ are now -practically extinct, and in hilly countries the _Telemark_ ski has now -superseded all others. In Sweden, Finland, and Russia, and in flat -countries generally, a very long, thin, and narrow ski is found to be -faster. The curve in front is very flat, and there are considerable -variations in the form of groove used underneath. But for a mountainous -country these are too long for up-hill work, and the sharp, flat point -is not suitable for glissading. The Telemark type can, on the other -hand, be used everywhere, and we have no hesitation in recommending it -to our readers. - -To the inexperienced eye there is very little difference between the -shape of the ski used by the Telemarkings who first came to Christiania -and those now for sale in that town or on the Continent. Differences, -however, do exist, and some of them are important; besides which it -is unquestionably pleasant to be the owner of a handsome pair of ski -which, in addition to possessing certain advantages, are always a -source of gratification to oneself and of envy and admiration to one’s -friends. We will accordingly mention all the points of a really good -pair, beginning with the most important. - - -THE WOOD. - -It is, of course, necessary that they should be made of very -well-seasoned wood, but, unless you happen to be a timber expert, you -will have to take your dealer’s word for this. Ash is the wood most -widely used, and the one which we would recommend the beginner to -purchase. Hickory ski are faster than ash, but they are considerably -heavier, and frequently brittle. Fir ski are cheap, light, and suitable -for children, but it is difficult to get really good wood strong enough -for adults; moreover, they are considerably slower than ash. Walnut -is also said to be excellent, but it is difficult to procure in long -enough and straight enough planks, and it is little used. A combination -of pine and hickory is often employed for racing, where extreme -lightness and speed are of importance, but it is not as strong as good -ash. - -Having decided on the wood, see that the grain is as straight as -possible, and that if at any place it runs out its lines when doing -so point downwards towards the heel, and not upwards towards the toe; -otherwise when the ski begins to wear splinters will be formed, which -will stick downwards into the snow and act as brakes. Beware of very -light ash, which is apt to be brittle; the best is somewhat heavy -even when thoroughly dry and well seasoned. By-and-by, when you have -acquired some skill, you may perhaps like to have a pair of light ski -for the mountains where you intend to go carefully and take no risks, -and where consequently the chance of a break is considerably less; but -you will appreciate them all the more if you have got into the way of -using a heavier article down below. - - -SHAPE. - -The bend in front is of importance. It should begin very gradually at -a point about four-fifths of the distance between the heel end and -the tip, and should not be too steep. A rise of about 5in., measuring -from the ground to the bottom of the tip, is amply sufficient. A good -ski should also be fairly “whippy” about the point, but the elasticity -should be distributed gradually from centre to tip, and should not come -suddenly at one point only. We also like a ski to be broad at the bend, -a shade broader even than the beautiful form shown in Figs. 4 and 5. -The two qualities of gentleness of curve and breadth at the tip assist -a rapid passage _on the top_ of smooth snow, whilst the elasticity is -valuable on lumpy ground, besides being conducive to lightness. The -desirability of elasticity is, we think, a reason for eschewing the -round-upper-sided ski sometimes sold in Norway. The round upper-side -does not, of course, permit of so much loose snow resting upon it -as the flat, but it makes the front part of the ski very stiff, and -consequently unpleasant to run on, slow, and liable to break. - -Besides the bend at the point, there is a long upward curve throughout -the length of the ski, running from heel to entrance. The object of -this is, of course, to prevent any bending in the opposite direction -caused by the weight of the body; it also serves to provide an -agreeable elasticity when one is running on the level. - - -COLOUR. - -The colour of the ski is very largely a matter of taste, and in nine -days out of ten is of no practical importance. Every now and again, -however, there will be a time when the sun will beat fiercely on -dark-coloured ski and warm them, causing the snow to adhere to them -top and bottom more readily than to those of lighter colour, which -throw off a greater proportion of the rays. For which reason we -unhesitatingly give our vote for plain varnished or white-painted -ski. Black-painted ski are, however, very common in Norway. They look -very smart and present a pleasing contrast to the snow, and they are -frequently recommended for mountain use, for the reason that when -the eye is dazzled by vast expanses of unbroken white they afford a -valuable point of focus, and so act as a preventive to snow-blindness. -We would, however, strongly advise the reader not to rely too much -on this, or sooner or later his eyes will surely be affected. Smoked -goggles, or some such arrangement as that recommended on page 50, -are infinitely preferable to any black paint. Besides which, plain -varnished ski are ever so much darker than the snow, and one can focus -one’s eyes almost equally well on them. The painting of ski is, on -the other hand, often a cunning device on the part of unscrupulous -dealers to hide defects in the wood--a fact which may account for their -popularity to a greater extent than the guileless may suppose. - -[Illustration: SKI. - -Modern “Telemark” Type. - - FIG. 4. - - FIG. 5.] - -Having, then, given our vote for plain-varnished, flat-topped, fairly -heavy ash ski of Telemark type, with a long, easy, flattish elastic -entrance and a broadish point, it remains for us to consider how broad -they shall be at the middle and how long over all, and whether they -shall or shall not be provided with a groove underneath them running -from end to end. We approach these questions with a certain degree of -diffidence, for, in the first place, investigations with a view to -their answer have not been, and perhaps cannot be, carried out with -much scientific precision, and, in the second place, they will always -remain very largely matters of personal taste. - - -SMOOTH-BOTTOMED AND BROAD _versus_ GROOVED AND LONG. - -Evidently to some extent the length and breadth of a ski must be -proportionate to the weight of the runner, a certain degree of carrying -surface being necessary to obviate sinking. But, apart from all -questions of support, length is of great importance. In this respect -ski resemble ships, for, generally speaking, the longer they are the -faster they go. Area for area long ski are faster than broad. On the -other hand, the shorter a ski is the more readily it will turn, and it -is, of course, very important to be able to steer easily. There comes -a point, however, when ease of turning develops into wobbling, -and seriously interferes with one’s balance when running straight. -Nor is the unsteadiness of short and broad ski confined to what may -be considered as _horizontal_ wobbling, due to inequalities of the -ground, but broad ski are also more subject to what may be regarded -as _vertical_ wobbling, due to unequal snow consistency. For in the -case of the long ski variations in the carrying power of the snow and -consequent errors of balance occur in a backward and forward direction, -but in the case of a broad ski in a sideward direction, which latter -is, of course, more upsetting. - -[Illustration: THE GATES OF THE JOTUNHEIM. - -_Photo by E. C. Richardson_] - -Again, almost all ski are nowadays provided with a groove along the -bottom, beginning at a point a little distance below the bend and -continuing to the heel. The object of this is to prevent _horizontal_ -wobbling and to assist straight running. Its working is most powerful. -Clearly, then, some sort of compromise must be arrived at between -a very smooth and broad ski on the one hand, and a very long and -grooved one on the other. Now in Norway straight running is all the -order of the day. Around Christiania there is scarcely a hill which -cannot be, and is not, taken at full speed, and the smooth, glacier -polished mountains of that country are equally suitable for a straight -descent. In the Black Forest, too, straight running is paramount. For -these countries we recommend grooved ski about as long as the distance -between the ground and the roots of the fingers when the hand is held -above the head, and of a width proportionate to the weight of the -runner. In Switzerland, however, the ground is both steeper and more -irregular, and in general far more difficult for straight running, -hidden water-courses, rocks, and other obstacles being of common -occurrence. There, it is accordingly of paramount importance to the -beginner to be able to control his speed and to turn, and our advice -is that in that country he should, for ordinary going, use somewhat -shorter and slightly broader ski--say, about 6in. shorter than in -Norway. We advise him _for all-round purposes_ in Switzerland to retain -the groove. But if he is going to do much climbing on very steep and -difficult ground, or if he is advancing in years and has lost something -of his pristine dash, he may find it convenient to omit the groove and -to travel on perfectly smooth boards. - - -LONG ALPINE TOURS. - -For really long and arduous mountain tours in the Alps, where every -ounce of weight tells, we would recommend a further reduction of about -a foot in all from the customary Norwegian length, and only a slight -increase (if, indeed, any) in the ordinary breadth. On such expeditions -careful going and power of control are of paramount importance, and -ski-running becomes more of a means to an end than an end in itself. A -little extra sinking in up-hill is not of much moment, and is more than -equalised by the gain in lightness; and down-hill the loss in speed is -of no consequence--indeed, in some cases a positive advantage. On such -ski, too, the groove is better omitted. - - -ORDINARY USE. - -The following table may help the reader to select ski of about the -usual Norwegian proportions:-- - - HEIGHT OF THE SKI-RUNNER. - --------+--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+------+----- - | | |4' 3"|5' 0"|5' 3"|5' 5"|5' 7"|5' 9" |5' 11"| - | ---- |Up to| to | to |to | to | to | to | to |Over - | |4' 3"|5' 0"|5' 3"|5' 5"|5' 7 |5' 9"|5' 11"|6' 1" |6' 1" - ========+========+=====+=====+=====+=====+=====+=====+======+======+===== - }| Under | 2½" | 2½" | 2½" | 2½" | 2½" | | | | - WEIGHT }|10 STONE| 51" | 59" | 65" | 71" | 77" | -- | -- | -- | -- - }|--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+------+----- - OF }| 10 TO | | | | 2¾" | 2¾" | 2¾" | 2¾" | | - THE }|13 STONE| -- | -- | -- | 71" | 75" | 79" | 83" | -- | -- - }|--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+------+----- - SKI- }| OVER | | | | | | 3" | 3" | 3" | 3" - RUNNER.}|13 stone| -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 79" | 83" | 87" | 91" - --------+--------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+------------ - - -PRESERVATION. - -Ski should be treated properly if they are to retain their full -efficiency. It is a capital plan to oil them from time to time like a -cricket bat. Linseed oil is best for the purpose, and a small quantity -of paraffin should be added to it to help it to penetrate. This -treatment hardens the wood, and renders it waterproof and not liable -to splinter. Ski should be kept in a cool place, but should they be -taken out of a warm room they should be left standing in the cold air -for about ten minutes before they are allowed to touch the snow. One -should avoid walking on them over earth and stones. After use they -should be cleaned. To “set” them, place their under sides in contact, -and strap them loosely together at the points where they touch--viz., -extreme heel end and base of the tip. Insert a piece of wood about 2in. -square and ½in. thick at a spot indicated by the usual position of your -boot-heel; then strap tightly. They will then be in close touch at the -ends, 2in. apart under the heel, and the “feathering” is thus preserved. - - -THE BINDING. - -No part of a beginner’s outfit is likely to cause him so much “sweet -sorrow” as his binding. The chances are enormous that whatever he buys -will afford him plenty to think about, and, alas! to talk about, for a -considerable time to come. During his early efforts he is certain to -attribute most of his misfortunes to its manifest imperfections, and -if, as we hope, he is a person of an inventive turn of mind, he will -spend the greater part of his evenings, and perhaps even some of the -watches of the night, in designing something new and original which -will at one and the same time overcome all his difficulties and make -his fortune. - -It is our sincere desire to assist him in this laudable endeavour, -and accordingly we shall give below a few of the qualities which a -perfect binding ought to possess. Before proceeding to do so it will, -however, be necessary to notice some of those actual forms which other -ski-runners use or have used--a task which is not nearly so agreeable -or so easy. For legion is their name, and it is difficult to make a -selection without hurting somebody’s feelings. During the early days -of the sport in Central Europe (that is to say, till quite recently) -the fiercest controversy raged about bindings (see p. 15). But now, -partly because of the impossibility of saying anything new on the -subject, and partly because the discovery has been made that after -all one’s fastening is not of paramount importance, the topic is no -longer of absorbing interest. Not but what our Teutonic friends retain -their love of controversy, and their earnest methods of conducting -such, but the Scotchman in search of an argument would do better to -start some theme other than bindings, as, for example, seal’s skin or -wax. A reaction has, in fact, set in, and whereas two years ago the -most complicated was the best, we were surprised last season to find -a Continental friend using the old (and very excellent) Lapp binding, -which was so much in vogue in Norway years ago when we first learnt to -go on ski. He, of course, was under the impression that he had the very -latest thing, and we did not enlighten him, but we should not be much -astonished to find him next year twisting birch twigs after the manner -of the early Telemarkings! - -Now this plan of making a stiff and strong rope by twisting birch twigs -was the earliest method of connecting the _heel_ of the foot with the -ski. Prior to that a strap across the toe was all that was used. Any -other arrangement was considered dangerous. Then came the Telemarkings -(see p. 9) with their new methods. They bound the ski firmly to the -toe, and lead ropes of twisted birch from the toe round the back of -the heel. This arrangement was at once felt to be an advantage. Not -only did it prevent the foot continually slipping out of the toe strap, -but it relieved the toe itself from much of the strain involved when -the ski has to be pulled forward in walking on the level or up hill; -moreover, it enormously helped steering, and so it was adopted. - - -SOME COMMON FASTENINGS. - -People living in towns, however, either could not procure birch twigs -or lacked skill in preparing and fixing ropes made from them. Something -else had to be substituted, and that something was the thin cane, which -so long held the field. The canes were steamed, and bent round the back -of the heel and secured in front by a clamp. This form of binding was -and still is widely used. But the canes, even when covered with leather -and strengthened with steel wire, were found to be inconvenient. They -broke and they were cumbersome, and the guiding power they allowed -of was limited. So taboo was broken and metal was admitted into the -construction of the fastening. Contrary, however, to expectation, -people’s legs did not break oftener than before, and, as the iron also -stood the strain, a binding like that given below (Fig. 6) became very -popular. - -[Illustration: FIG. 6.--Lapp Binding, Huitfeldt’s pattern (left foot). - -The heel is secured by means of a single thong about 7ft. long, with -a loop at the end. The loop end is doubled close to the loop, and the -bight passed through the hole in the ski below the ball of the foot. -The long end is then passed round the back of the heel, through the -bight, back round the heel, and through the hoop thus:--] - -[Illustration: The whole is then pulled tight, and the long end passed -over the instep, under the thongs on the inside of the foot, back over -the instep, and under and round the thongs on the outside, where it is -secured by a couple of half-hitches. The loose end is then tucked away, -as shown in Fig. 6.] - -The LAPP BINDING shown above is Huitfeldt’s pattern. The novelty -about it was the iron toe piece; the thong arrangement had long been -used by the Lapps. As previously mentioned, many people still employ -this binding, and when skilfully adjusted it can be very firm, and it -possesses the merits of extreme simplicity and ease of repair. - -We have, however, several objections to it. In the first place, it -takes some little practice and some little strength to fix the thong -properly, an operation rendered doubly difficult when the leather is -frozen and the fingers cold. Again, the thong, especially if changes -of temperature occur, is continually expanding and contracting; the -knots in it are apt to make sore places on the foot, and, like a -boot-lace, it has an irritating way of breaking just when one is in a -hurry. Again, the iron toe piece must be _most carefully_ adjusted to -fit the boot. In short, we dislike the whole fastening for the reason -that, unless it is very carefully put on and attended to, it becomes -altogether toe wobbly. - -[Illustration: FIG. 7.--Huitfeldt Binding. Iron Toepiece and Straps.] - -The HUITFELDT BINDING given above is considered by many people to be an -improvement on the Lapp binding, and it has attained a vast popularity -in Norway. In principle it differs from the latter but little; but -very stout straps are substituted for the thong with its troublesome -knots, and the iron toe-piece is made of a solid piece of metal, which -is bent up on either side of the ski, and which can be hammered into -the exact shape of the sole of the boot. This is an advantage, as an -accurate fit is insured. The disadvantage is that it is liable to be -bent out of shape by the heavy-soled boot which it is necessary to -wear with this and with the Lapp-binding. The straps, with it too, -expand and contract with the temperature, and a very slight degree of -slackness is sufficient to make the whole very loose. Moreover, the -side straps catch the snow to some extent and act as a brake, though -usually this is not of much consequence. The Huitfeldt binding is also -troublesome to put on firmly, especially when the straps are frozen. -Höyer-Ellefsen’s shortening clamp (Fig. 8) is designed to get over this -difficulty, but it is new, and we have not had sufficient experience of -it to offer any criticism. - -[Illustration: FIG. 8.--Höyer-Ellefsen’s Patent Clamp for use with -Huitfeldt’s binding.] - -We now come to a new class of fastening, where the heel is connected -with the ski by means of some sort of sole, generally made of the -“belting” used for driving machinery, fixed to the top of the ski in -front of the toe. There are innumerable variations of this plan, a very -simple one being to fix a piece of the belting in front of the foot -and to attach it to the heel of the boot by means of a dummy heel and -a strap leading round the instep. The toe is held in position either -by side irons and a strap, as in the Huitfeldt binding, or by a simple -broad strap passing through the ski and buckling across the toe. In -the latter form it has attained to considerable popularity on the -Continent, especially in the Black Forest. We do not, however, think -it worth while to give a picture of this fastening, as it is not one -which we can recommend for any purpose. The dummy heel fills up with -snow, and becomes uncomfortable; and as to the belting, one is in this -dilemma, that if one uses it thin it buckles and if one uses it very -thick it becomes heavy and too stiff for comfortable walking unless it -be fastened very far forward, in which case it rises off the ski at -every step and presses the toe against the toe strap, thereby causing -discomfort and cold feet. - -TORGERSEN’S “HANDRY” BINDING (Fig. 9) is, we think, vastly preferable, -for it has no heel to collect snow, and the belting, only reaching -half-way down the foot, is not so liable to buckle. - -It cannot, however, claim to be a really firm binding, though if -the strap leading from the belting round the instep be pulled tight -(and a tight strap at this part of the foot does not seem to affect -the circulation) it is not so loose as might be supposed at first -sight. But the chief advantage of Torgersen’s binding is its extreme -adjustability. It will fit almost anybody, and can be taken on and off -in a moment. On this account it is a very good binding for clubs or -shopmen in Switzerland who let out ski to a number of different people -for short periods. Its only moderate firmness also recommends it to -nervous beginners who want to run straight and fast, and who are afraid -of the slight extra risk involved by using a rigid fastening. - -[Illustration: FIG. 9.--Torgersen’s Handy Binding. Driving Belt and -Straps. Half the sole is Driving Belt.] - -ELLEFSEN’S PATENT BINDING (Fig. 10) is of the same class. It appeared -last season (1904-5), and has scarcely been in use long enough to allow -of exhaustive criticism. - -As with Torgersen’s, the belting only reaches about half-way down -the foot, where it is terminated by an iron cross-piece with upright -cheeks fitting on either side of the heel (see Fig. 10). From these -cheeks a strap leads round the back of the heel, by means of which the -belting is pulled tight. This stretching of the belting is the novelty -of the arrangement, and is very ingenious, as, of course, it prevents -all buckling. The iron toe-pieces are much the same as in Huitfeld, -but they are fixed firmly to the ski by means of the little metal -tongues which are part of them. The tongues at the same time secure -the driving belt under the toe, giving it due stiffness in a vertical -direction and preventing pressure of the toe strap. But obviously this -is the weak spot of the front part of the arrangement, and unless the -belting is of the very best quality it is liable to tear there. The -makers, however, claim that the best belting will not tear, and time -alone can decide whether this is so or not. The binding is not readily -adjustable, and when ordering it is necessary to send a sketch of the -boot which one intends to use with it. - -[Illustration: FIG. 10.--Ellefsen’s Patent Binding.] - -The figure with the boot also shows a little strap sewn on to the heel -of the boot to prevent the heel straps slipping off. This is very -useful with all the above-named fastenings. See _infra_, pp. 47 and 48.] - -The LILIENFELD BINDING has caused more discussion and provoked more -criticism than any other. It, too, is on the “sole” principle, but -differs from all others in this respect, that (except for the heel and -toe straps) it is made entirely of metal. - -The vertical axis of the sole is, moreover, placed _in front_ of the -toe, and not under it as in other fastenings, and vertical stiffness -is secured by means of a very ingenious spring arrangement embedded -in the ski. This shifting of the axis forward makes the binding feel -curious at first, but one gets accustomed to it after a while, and then -it becomes very comfortable and pleasant. An objection to the plan is, -however, that one is deprived of much control over the heel of the ski, -and is placed, so to speak, at the mercy of the spring. It is, however, -often convenient to raise the heel of the ski when going up hill, and -it is annoying to find when one tries to do so that it refuses to -obey on account of the spring being insufficiently screwed up. On the -other hand, if the spring be tight the heel keeps “clappering” up and -down at every step. Another decidedly bad point about this fastening is -its weight. It is unquestionably heavy. It is necessary, therefore, to -use a considerably lighter ski with it than with any of the ordinary -arrangements, and light ski are apt to be brittle. It is, however, a -very powerful binding, very suitable for making “S” turns on steep -and difficult ground. It seldom or never breaks, and it is adjustable -to almost any boot. It is usually sold fitted to a special ski with a -hole in it cut for the spring. The so-called “Alpine skee” is shortish, -broadish, and flat-bottomed, with a sharply turned-up bluff entrance. -These qualities render it less suitable for straight running, but -useful for turning on the mountain-side, for which special purpose -it is, indeed, designed. People somewhat advanced in years will find -the “Alpine skee,” with its special fastening, of value for mountain -tours, and it is, we think, easier to learn to turn on it than on any -other; but your dashing youth and your jumper will certainly prefer the -Norwegian article. Of course, the Lilienfeld fastening can be fixed to -a Telemark ski. - -[Illustration: FIG. 11.--The Lilienfeld Binding. “Alpine Skee.” Movable -Steel Sole.] - - -METHOD OF FIXING. - -The right way of attaching all the above-named bindings to the boot -will have been evident from the descriptions appended to each. It -is sufficient to observe here that the straps (and particularly the -toe-straps) should never be pulled tighter than occasion demands. -Tight straps are the surest road to frost-bite, besides being very -uncomfortable. For all ordinary going--that is to say, during far the -greater length of time that the ski are on the feet--the straps may be -worn comparatively loose. It is quite easy to tighten them up for a -difficult piece of ground or a jump, and there is no occasion to run -unnecessary risks. - -Another important matter is that with all ordinary bindings care -should be taken not to thrust the foot too far into the toe-strap. The -toe-strap should never cross the foot lower than the middle of the -great toe. People are apt to neglect this simple precaution, but in -doing so they run the risk of spraining the foot in the event of a fall -forwards. In the case of the Lilienfeld binding, it is not necessary to -be quite so careful, as with it the vertical axis is in front of the -foot. - - -CONCLUSION. - -The beginner who has read the above remarks probably realises by now -that _there is no such thing as a perfect ski binding which will -satisfy everybody_! Some people want extreme lateral rigidity, others a -little play, and others, again, comparative looseness. It is much the -same with the vertical movement; if very stiff there is great control, -valuable for jumping and for lifting the heel in steep hill climbing, -but the ski “clappers” on the level. If very loose, the toe has to -carry too much weight,[6] and the advantages of stiffness vanish. There -can really be no such thing as a happy mean in these matters, and -everybody must choose that which on the whole is best suited to his -requirements. Nor can any form of fastening last for ever, and the most -that one can expect is that a binding should not be continually giving -way. Do not, therefore, begin by worrying yourself too much about this -part of your equipment. Buy one or other of the bindings depicted above -which you think will suit you best, and learn all about its little -peculiarities and something about ski-running before you decide that -it is no good. Above all things, avoid boring your more experienced -friends with binding talk, of which they have all had enough and to -spare. - - -FOOT-PLATES. - -In order to protect the ski and to prevent snow adhering to it under -the foot it is necessary to fix some sort of anti-sticking material -to that part which is touched by the boot; and a thin plate of some -non-corrosive metal is best for this purpose; the india-rubber or -seal’s skin commonly sold are of little use, and soon wear out. - - -THE STICK. - -The stick is a good servant, but a bad master. It is little used by -first-class runners, except to enable them to increase the speed by -punting. There can, however, be no doubt that it greatly assists a -beginner in preserving his balance on difficult ground and in turning. -On the other hand, it is equally certain that it is frequently the -cause of his adopting a bad style, of spoiling his balance, and of -hindering or entirely blocking his progress in the art of turning. To -jump with a stick in the hand is most dangerous, and, of course, there -is always the possibility of the stick being lost or broken on tour. - -Accordingly there are those who recommend the beginner to leave -this part of his outfit at home; and much is to be said in favour -of such advice, especially in the case of a young and active pupil. -When, however, it is argued that anybody who can go on ski without a -stick will not have any difficulty in subsequently taking to one, we -venture to differ. Perhaps in rare cases it may be so, but we have -had a somewhat extensive experience of beginners of all ages, and we -have always found it otherwise. The novice who has learnt without a -stick seems to be greatly embarrassed when one is first placed in his -hand. Moreover, we have met not a few ski-runners, no longer novices, -who make very pretty Telemark and Christiania swings on the practice -ground with hands free, but who break down hopelessly on tour when -encumbered with a stick. But everybody is agreed that a stick of some -sort or other should be taken on tour, and we fail to see the use of -these pretty manœuvres if they cannot be accomplished when really most -required. This, however, is far from being the whole case for the pole. -What is your poor elderly friend to do when he tumbles in deep snow? -It frequently requires considerable activity to get up under such -circumstances, and what is here mentioned half in jest might really be -an ugly matter. Besides, nobody over twenty-five can be expected to -enjoy continual struggling head downwards. People get exhausted, people -begin to think that it is impossible to learn, and people take to some -inferior sport which they find easier, and therefore more amusing. Did -you mutter “Let them go”? Nay; but there we touch the very root of the -matter. Is ski-running merely a pretty form of athletics for the few, -or is it a noble sport for the people, leading them forth from stuffy -houses and narrow roads to the glories of the winter landscape? Surely -the latter; and we would rather the runner sat on his pole at every -hill and visited the woods and mountains than that he was the cleverest -performer on the practice ground and went nowhere else. “But,” it is -said, “if the beginner accustoms himself to run with a stick in his -hand he will be quite helpless when he loses it or breaks it, or when -he wishes to jump.” This is, of course, to some extent true, but the -case is not so bad as all that. In reality, as above hinted, it is a -good deal easier to run without a stick than with one after a certain -stage has been reached; our experience is that the more advanced pupil -soon learns to appreciate this, and that the transition from stick to -no stick is seldom difficult. Besides, there is no reason to carry -matters to extremes and _never_ to practise with the arms free. - -[Illustration: THORWALD HANSEN. King’s Prizeman, Norway, ’05. - -_Photo by Th. Thorkelsen._] - -Our advice, then, is:--_Begin by carrying a stick in the hand, but use -it only to overcome a difficulty. Endeavour to be as independent of it -as possible, and practise sometimes without it._ - -Shall the ski-runner use two sticks or one? and shall it or they be -furnished with a basket arrangement at the end (see Fig. 12)? These -are questions which have also been much discussed, and frequently -rather unprofitably. We think that it all depends on circumstances. -Two light bamboos with wicker-work discs (Norwegian _Trindser_) at the -end are very serviceable when one has got beyond the beginner’s stage. -They help one up hill and along the level, and down hill they may be -trailed behind in each hand, or on difficult ground held together -and used as one. The discs are, of course, intended to prevent the -point penetrating the snow to too great a depth--_not_ to act as -brakes. But on very steep and hard mountain sides where one may find -oneself--sometimes with a precipice below--they are far from being a -source of comfort. On such occasions one prefers to have a single stout -staff, which one can thrust deeply into the snow, and which one knows -will not slip or break. And in general we have not found two sticks to -be of much service in the high Alps, though for lower excursions in -Switzerland and in the Black Forest and everywhere in Norway we prefer -them. The novice, however, should, we think, _begin_ with a simple -staff of good ash or other strong wood, without any disc at the end. He -is sure to require to use his stick to some extent (indeed, we shall -advise him lower down to do so), and he would probably only break light -double sticks. He should get into the habit of holding his stick in -either hand, and should begin to practise with two as soon as he thinks -he is far enough advanced to do so. In choosing his stick he will -select one about as long as from the ground to the top of his shoulder. -It should be furnished with a metal ferrule and a spike at the lower -end, and a _broad_ leather loop at the top for the hand. - -[Illustration: FIG. 12.--Disc for bottom of ski stick, attached by -metal ears. Staub of Zürich’s pattern.] - -The double bamboo sticks should also be about as long as from the -ground to the shoulder. They are best out from the root end of the -plant, where it is strongest; the root also serves as a convenient -lump for the hand to hold. The discs are best attached by a metal -arrangement, as shown in Fig. 12, and not by boring a hole in the cane -and passing a piece of leather through it, as is common in Norway. The -one method holds for a long time; the other breaks very soon. - - -FOOTGEAR. - -This is a very important part of a ski-runner’s outfit, and too much -attention cannot be paid to it. Nevertheless, nothing is commoner in -Switzerland than to see the early efforts of beginners enormously -handicapped by unsuitable boots. English ladies, particularly, seem to -find it difficult to make up their minds to spend the necessary amount -of money on a suitable pair, and usually appear in thin, high-heeled -shoes covered by “gouties.” But the acme of thoughtlessness was in our -experience achieved by a man who went out in patent-leather boots and -openwork silk socks! The consequences were, of course, frost-bite, and -he narrowly escaped losing a few toes. - -A strongly made, waterproof, low-heeled boot is a necessity, and with -most modern bindings the sole should be not less than half an inch -thick. It should be roomy enough to permit of _at least_ three pairs of -extra thick socks being worn, and there should be plenty of room for -the toes to “waggle.” With bindings such as Huitfeldt’s it is better -not to have the toe cut too square, for a more or less wedge-shaped end -fits better into the toe-irons. In order to resist the pressure of the -toe-strap it is best to have the leather extra thick in front. The boot -should fit fairly tightly round the ankle and instep, for reasonable -firmness at this point does not interfere with the circulation, and -is of value in preventing sprained ankles and chafed heels. With -Ellefsen’s binding, where there are no straps across that part of the -foot, this is of special importance. Nothing is gained by wearing a -sloppy sort of boot and subsequently imprisoning the foot in tight and -narrow straps. The strain of moving the ski has to be borne somewhere, -and it is best to distribute it evenly where it is least felt. In order -to prevent the heel straps slipping down it is strongly advisable with -all the bindings mentioned above (except the Lilienfeld) to have a -small strong strap and buckle sewn to the heel of the boots. The buckle -should point upwards, and should be fixed quite close. The end of the -strap then points downwards, and is useful as a sort of shoehorn for -pulling on the binding. - -For Switzerland we would advise the addition of a _few_ nails to the -sole of the boot. They prevent any slipping about on icy places round -the house, and they make all the difference to one’s happiness in -climbing on foot over a pass, or the last few yards of some rocky and -icy summit. They are not, however, to be recommended in Norway, where -nobody wears them. Not but what there is plenty of ice round the hotels -and sanatoria there, but in that country custom is everything, and it -is better to bear with a bump or two than to offend. - -In the Black Forest ski boots are often made of dog or calf skin, with -the hair left on _outside_. An inner coating of hair is often added, -but this we think is a mistake, as it is difficult to dry after use. -The exterior coating of hair is, however, a great protection against -cold. It wears out in course of time, and then the thing to do is to -follow the classical example of the King of the Jews and buy another -pair. - -Arctic explorers and others who go to very cold places are unanimous -as to the virtues of outside hair, and various devices exist to enable -the runner to fix a covering of it over his ordinary boots. These -inventions are, however, apt to be too bulky, or to fill up with snow, -or to be cut by a nailed boot, and we cannot recommend any we have -seen. A very simple plan is, however, to nail a piece of skin (or -canvas-covered felt) to the ski in front of the foot, and to pass it -between the toe-strap and the boot. It should be wide enough and long -enough to cover the toes, but not, of course, so wide as to project -and act as a brake. This little dodge helps to keep the toes warm, not -only by the extra covering which it affords, but also by distributing -the pressure of the toe-strap over a greater surface; it also to -some extent prevents snow collecting under the toes and forming an -uncomfortable lump there. - -Boots should be greased now and again, but in moderation, for excessive -greasing is said to cause cold feet. The boots should be warmed (with -hot water or otherwise) before the grease is applied. Castor oil is -excellent for this purpose. - -The best kind of socks to wear are very thick ones made of goat’s -hair; but nowadays they are difficult to get. In Norway so-called -“Ragge Sokker” are no longer made of pure material, and the modern -imitation is harsh and uncomfortable. Thick woollen socks known as -“Ladder” are now largely used, and a pair of these over a good ordinary -sock are sufficient for most purposes. It is, however, always advisable -to take a dry pair in one’s rucksack, for, however waterproof one’s -boots may be, a considerable amount of moisture always accumulates -inside them. This is due to the condensation of perspiration against -the cold outer surface of the boot, and is most dangerous in very cold -weather, when the leather freezes and its pores are choked by ice. -When this occurs the toe-straps should be loosed and the toes should -be kept moving. Frost-bite is very insidious, and is frequently quite -unnoticed by the sufferer till he reaches home and it is too late. The -consequences may be very serious, and it is impossible to be too much -on one’s guard. - -From the above it will be seen that there is plenty of room for -improvement in the ski-runner’s footgear. We recommend a thick -under-sock, a pair of good “Ladder,” a stout boot, fitting well about -the ankle, but with plenty of room at the toes, and a piece of skin -covering the toes and held in position by the toe strap. But, all the -same, we frequently suffer from cold feet, and we wish somebody would -invent something better. - - -OTHER CLOTHES. - -Other clothes are of minor importance. Remember that the season and -the snow are cold, that the latter melts, that the exercise is at -times very violent, and then you are not likely to try wading trousers -or an umbrella. The best clothes for ski-runners are, perhaps, -knickerbockers and a double-breasted jacket. Choose a material of -smooth texture, for woolly stuffs catch the snow, which soon forms into -icy lumps, betraying the novice and melting unpleasantly in a warm -room. All openings at the neck, sleeves, knees, and ankles must have -an arrangement to fit closely to keep out the snow, which is apt to -find its way in, especially in the earlier stages of practice. Let the -cap, or soft felt hat, be provided with flaps, to protect the ears in -a sharp breeze. The so-called St. Moritz cap is excellently adapted to -the purpose. Thick woollen gloves, long enough to reach high above the -wrist, are indispensable, and a second pair ought to be in the pocket -as a change, for wet gloves in a cold wind are the surest road to -frost-bite. Puttees are probably the best means to shut the top of the -boot and to cover the stockings. Some sort of wind-jacket is necessary -in the Norwegian mountains and elsewhere where strong winds prevail. -A capital one is in use in Austria. It is made of very thin oil-silk -in the form of a sort of smock-frock, with a hood at the back for the -head. It weighs almost nothing, and is warmer than any sweater. With -this and a pair of trousers of the same material one may laugh at the -most biting wind that ever blew, and the dangers of a night out become -greatly minimised. - - -ACCESSORIES. - -The RÜCKSACK--Norwegian Rypesæk--came originally from the Tyrol, and is -by far the best means of carrying things. It should be made of stout -waterproof canvas, and should be provided with broad shoulder-straps. -We advise the novice to buy as good a one as he can afford; he will -find it useful for other things besides ski-running. - -SMOKED GLASSES, or some such device as that recommended below, will -generally have to be worn above the tree-line to protect the eyes from -snow-blindness. The precise nature of this complaint does not appear -to be understood. It appears to be more prevalent in some countries -than in others, and is not, we think, entirely a matter of intensity -of light. It seems, for example, to be more dangerous in the Norwegian -mountains than in Switzerland. Like frost-bite, it is insidious, and -the patient frequently is not seriously inconvenienced till after the -damage is done. Some people, too, are far more susceptible to it than -others. Instead of smoked glass, which is liable to become dimmed by -the condensation upon it of moisture, we prefer a simple oblong piece -of leather, 6in. long and about 1in. broad, with two oval-shaped holes -in it opposite the eyes, say, ½in. long by ⅜in. broad; a slit for the -nose to hold it in position, and two pieces of string to bind it round -the head. - -[Illustration: IN DERBYSHIRE, NOVEMBER, ’04. - -_Photo by C. R. Wingfield._] - -The WATER-BOTTLE should be of sufficient capacity; one to hold about a -litre is convenient. It should be provided with a felt covering and a -tight-fitting cork. What to put into it is a matter of choice, though -much alcohol is not to be recommended. Personally we have given up -compounding drinks of cold tea, sugar, and wine, for the reason that -they are so nice that we drink more at a time than we should. Our -companions, too, look at us with such longing eyes that it is difficult -to resist their dumb appeal. Such a water-bottle is soon empty. Plain -sugar and water is not so nice, but is very sustaining, the sugar being -very rapidly digested, and a raw egg or two adds to the value of the -compound. Dried prunes, acidulated drops, and other sweetmeats will be -found very pleasant on a ski tour, even though one never touches them -at other times. Louis Stevenson has observed that the hungrier a man is -the more he appreciates delicacies, so do not let your luncheon consist -entirely of plain beef sandwiches. Remember, too, that it is better to -eat little and often than largely and all at once. - -SOME SORT OF REPAIRING OUTFIT and a spare ski tip should always be -taken with one. There are little light metal tips on the market made -to fit over a broken ski which are very useful. The kind that fixes -with a screw is best, as the other is apt to come off. If, however, one -has the latter, a small screw-nail through it would keep it in place. -With one of these tips, and the means of making an improvised binding -with a few screw eyes and nails, a washer or two, and some straps, the -runner should be able to get home easily enough wherever his ski may -break. The reader must use his ingenuity in such matters, remembering -always that it is impossible to execute very elaborate repairs with -cold fingers. - -There are other odds and ends more or less useful on tour, a -description of which will be found in any dealer’s list. - - -PART III. - -TECHNICAL. - - -PRELIMINARY ADVICE. - -We would very strongly recommend the beginner to make his first efforts -on some one or other of the good snow conditions described on pp. 21 -and 22. Freshly fallen deep snow is especially to be avoided, for not -only does it afford heavy and difficult going, but a fall in it is apt -to be dangerous. This is, of course, the reverse of what one would -expect; but what happens is that the ski sink in deeply, and in the -event of a fall they are apt to stick and sprain the ankle or knee. -The firmer the snow the better it is, provided always that it be of -sufficient depth and that it be fair snow, and not ice-crust. - -All things considered, we would advise the beginner to learn to go -slowly before he learns to go fast. That is to say, as soon as he can -run straight fairly well, we would have him learn how to regulate -his speed and steer by means of what is known as “stemming” (see -_infra_, p. 69). In practising this movement he will at the same time -learn how to balance himself with the weight on one foot, a necessary -accomplishment; for, though in ski-running both ski are usually kept -on the ground, _the weight is nearly always mainly on one foot_. It is -well to pause and try to appreciate this very important fact before -reading further. - -After he has learnt something of stemming, and provided that he has -followed our instructions and used his pole as little as possible -(and then only as we direct), he should not find much difficulty in -acquiring some speed in glissading. He should then begin to take short -tours of, say, an hour or two’s duration, gradually lengthening them as -his proficiency increases. _He should when on tour endeavour to apply -the knowledge which he has gained on the practice ground, and on the -practice ground he should try to overcome those difficulties which he -has encountered on tour._ There is no sense in keeping on climbing up -and sliding straight down the same easy hill; yet such is the commonest -form of ski-ing at fashionable Swiss winter resorts! - -As soon as the beginner can “turn on the spot,” run straight fairly -well, and “stem,” he _can_ (we do not say he _should_) go where he -pleases. He will, however, remain slow and awkward, and he will miss a -great deal of the beauty of the sport if he rests content with these -easy accomplishments. We trust that he will be of a more ambitious -disposition, and that he will proceed to the mastery of the “S” turn -and of the “Telemark” and “Christiania” swings; and we strongly -recommend him to learn something of jumping, not only on account of the -amusement which he will certainly derive from it, but because it is the -very best means of gaining a good balance for ordinary running. - -It is of the greatest importance to cultivate a freedom and elasticity -of movement and position. The muscles should be as strong as iron, -but as flexible as rope. The knees should be pliant, and should act -like the springs of a carriage in relation to the rest of the body. Be -watchful, but courageous, and try hard not to fall. - - -LEAN FORWARD! - -Lean forward is the watchword of the ski-runner, and it is just as well -to explain what is meant by it before proceeding further. - -Place your ski parallel, one about a foot in front of the other, and -throw the body forward as much as possible; one ought to feel as if -about to fall on one’s nose. To the onlooker one seems to be standing -on the _entire_ sole of the foot, but in reality all the weight rests -on the front part and the toes. Thus, stand erect on the ski, the knees -a little bent, and then lean forward without bending any part of your -body (especially not the region of the hips) and without raising the -heel; then you ought to feel what is meant. Never assume a position as -if sitting down or about to do so, because that would press down the -heel. Every violation of this great rule of leaning forward is punished -by the ski “bolting” from under one. - - -TO LIFT THE POINT OF THE SKI. - -To lift the point of the ski seems a very simple matter, but it is at -least ten to one that the novice will do it wrong. Press the heel of -the ski down on the ground with your heel, and lift the point upwards -with your toe. _Do not raise any part of your foot from the ski._ - -[Illustration: FIG. 13.--Turning on the Spot.] - -To lift the heel of the ski reverse the above. Here it will not be -possible to keep the heel of the foot on the heel of the ski, but the -binding will raise the latter from the ground to some extent. - - -TURNING ON THE SPOT. - -Turning on the spot is a puzzle to the beginner, though simple when -shown. - -Lift one ski straight to the front (see Fig. 13 (1)), putting the heel -end as far away from you as you can, then turn it outwards and away -from you smartly, swinging the point right round and leaving the heel -resting on the snow, then put it down, point by heel, alongside of the -other ski. This twisted position (Fig. 13 (2)) is the only difficulty, -but very few attempts will soon show that it is not so bad or cramped -as it seemed at first. In this position hold the knees slightly bent. -Lastly, _raise the point_ of the other ski and swing it round. You -will find it easier to learn this movement with the assistance of your -stick, which should first be held obliquely across the body, pointing -in the opposite direction to that in which you are turning. Then after -assuming position (2) shift it across as in (3), and lastly swing round -the other ski. As soon as you are proficient with the help of the stick -practise without it--and, of course, both to right and to left. It is -not necessary to stand on the snow in order to learn these movements. -The carpet will do, but remove all Dresden china from the immediate -neighbourhood. - - -WALKING WITH SKI ON THE LEVEL. - -Walking with ski on the level differs from ordinary walking or skating -in this, that _one must not strike out_, there being no fulcrum or -point of resistance. Keep the ski _parallel_ and _as close together as -possible_ (closer than shown in the diagram), for a narrow spoor has -many advantages, besides being “good form.” Throw the weight of the -body forward and _slide on the advanced leg_; the “hind” leg must be -absolutely disengaged--that is to say, do not strike out by trying to -press the snow with it. Begin with long, slow steps, lunging forward -with bent knee (Fig. 14). Do not lift the ski from the ground, but -slide along regularly and conscientiously; do not hurry or flurry, but -save your breath. In one’s first steps one must specially cultivate -precision, sliding forward with ski exactly parallel, and distributing -the weight properly. Lean forward! slide![7] - -[Illustration: FIG. 14.--On the Level. - -The ski should be kept closer together than shown. The closer the -better.] - -A single stick on the level is of but little service, but with two -sticks the pace can be considerably increased, especially on a good -firm surface. Both sticks should be thrown forward simultaneously, -and the slide on the advanced leg accelerated by a vigorous push with -both arms. When proceeding in this way it is well to observe some kind -of rhythm; and, as the snow is seldom slippery enough to admit of a -push at each step, one should run, for example, one, two, three steps -(swinging the sticks forward), and then push with the arms, sliding on, -say, the right leg; then run one, two, three steps and push, sliding on -the left leg, and so on. - - -UP-HILL. - -To the laity it is a matter for wonder how it is possible to climb any -considerable hill at all on ski. We remember well the look of polite -incredulity which passed across the face of a mountaineering friend -some years ago when we told him that a certain well-known pass in the -Alps had been traversed in winter. He had tried ski himself, but had -made very little of them, and the pass in question is a stiff one to -negotiate even in summer. But now long climbs on ski in winter have -become so common that it is unnecessary to pursue the subject further -than to quote the classical observation of Olaus Magnus, “There exists -no mountain, however high, which by means of cunning by-ways he (the -ski-runner) cannot surmount.” - -[Illustration: A STIFF CLIMB. - -_Photo by E. C. Richardson._] - -It is, however, well to observe here that some of the accounts of the -ease with which one can climb hills on ski have been exaggerated. In -rare conditions of perfect snow one may perhaps ascend as quickly as -in summer, but, roughly speaking, it may be said that ski are about -twenty-five per cent. slower up-hill than boots. We are here, of -course, speaking of climbing a steep mountain where it is necessary -to zig-zag (see _infra_), and not of walking straight up a moderate -slope. Moreover, whether we slide the ski upwards in winter or whether -we carry a corresponding weight on our backs in summer, the fact -remains that some 10lb. or so have to be raised so many feet, and we -are handicapped to that extent. Where ski really have the advantage is -after the summit has been reached--of which more anon. - -Up to a certain degree of steepness (varying with the quality of the -snow) there is little or no difference between the methods used for -climbing and for walking on the level. Snow is not an absolutely -slippery substance, and the ski always adhere to it to some extent. -There comes, however, very soon a point beyond which we can no longer -slide as on the level, and shortly after-wards another, where the force -of gravity overcomes the “stickiness” of the snow and we begin to slip -back. These points are very different with the expert and the beginner, -and the former will slide easily straight up a slope upon which the -latter will slip hopelessly. - -In ascending a steep incline the art lies (1) in knowing (and only -experience can teach one) just how steeply one can go without a slip; -(2) in the correct placing of the ski in the snow; and (3) in the -correct balancing of the body upon the ski when so placed. The correct -placing of the ski is not a difficult matter. The secret lies in -raising the point of the ski (see p. 53) an inch or two from the ground -and bringing it _straight_ down with a _firm_ stamp. The stamp is at -first nearly always made too gently by ladies and too hard by men. -Imagine you are cracking a walnut--that will be about right. Remember -that _where the foot is brought down there it must stop_. If it slips -even the least tiny bit you must stamp again. - -[Illustration: FIG. 15.--_Climbing a slope._--_s_ = the fall of the -slope; _t_ = turn here. The shaded parts are obstructions (rocks, thick -growth, &c.).] - -Next bring the weight forward as evenly as possible on to the ski you -have stamped, and advance the other leg. In doing so take the greatest -care to balance the weight of the body _straight over_ the stamped ski; -lean neither backwards nor forwards, or you are certain to slip. - -In hill-climbing it is, of course, expedient to go as steeply as -possible, but the beginner will find that it pays best to take things -easily at first, as a single slip backwards is more exhausting than -twenty steps forwards. - -To negotiate a steep slope one must go across and upward at a -convenient angle, making a zig-zag track, as an engineer would plan a -good mountain road (Fig. 15). Turn at the corners as described, p. 55, -and when so doing remember to assume a safe standing position, for -a slip on a steep slope may be attended by unpleasant consequences. -The correct position in which to stand before turning is clearly with -the ski horizontally in space--that is to say, at right angles to the -direction of the gradient; then one cannot slip while engrossed in the -task. - -[Illustration: FIG. 16.--“_Herring-boning._”--The figure is in the act -of lifting the right ski over the heel of the left. The light lines are -his tracks. - -NOTE.--Swing the body well, as shown.] - -[Illustration: FIG. 17.--_Hill climbing sideways._--Used only on very -steep slopes. The light lines are old tracks.] - -The diagrams on page 59 show two other methods of hill-climbing which -are chiefly useful for short slopes. They are both too fatiguing to -be employed for any length of time. A modification of the style shown -in Fig. 17 is, however, very useful, especially on crusted snow. It -consists in going forwards and upwards at the same time, lifting the -ski at every step. This is not so very tiring, and may on a hard -surface be kept up for a considerable length of time without undue -fatigue. The track formed will appear as under. - -[Illustration: - - ---------- - ---------- - ---------- - ---------- - ---------- - ---------- -] - -It is important when proceeding in this way to remember, when lifting -the _upper_ ski, _to raise its heel from the snow_ (see p. 55) _and -place it well up-hill in a horizontal position_. Most beginners move -only the front part of the ski, and place it in the snow with the -heel pointing down hill. Even if the upper ski does not slip in this -wrong position (as usually happens), the lower ski, when it comes to -be lifted, is sure to be placed across the heel of the upper ski, -imprisoning it and preventing the next step being taken. You are -certain to make this mistake very frequently at first, and it will land -you in all sorts of difficulties and entanglements, but do not forget -that we warned you against it. - -A single stick is not of any very positive assistance up-hill, though -it has a negative value on _very_ steep ground both in aiding the -balance and in giving a feeling of security against slipping. In -traversing a slope it should be held across the body with the point -touching the snow on the upper side. The beginner will also find it -useful to assist him in rising to his feet after a fall. He should, -however, entirely abandon all idea of pulling himself up-hill with -his stick; to do so is quite impossible. Balance is what is required, -_plus_ a little thigh muscle, which will come with practice. - -Two sticks are, however, of considerable help, especially on moderate -slopes up which it is possible to go straight. They should be placed -in the snow alternately, after the manner which nature dictates. In -traversing steep ground they cease to be of service, for the lower one -is not long enough to reach the slope below one’s feet, and the upper -one cannot be used effectively on the bank at one’s side. Under such -circumstances it is better, and safer, to hold them together and to use -them as one, as described above. - -In general for long climbs it is best to go comparatively slowly and to -“keep at it.” The speed of a party should be that of the slowest man. -If you happen to be that unfortunate individual, don’t lag behind if -you can help it, but don’t hesitate to shout to the others if they are -going too fast for you. If, however, they are novices and persist in -rushing, slow down and go your own pace. It is not at all improbable -that if you go steadily you may be the first at the top, after all; but -even if you arrive twenty minutes later than the others you are in no -wise dishonoured. - -Strictly between ourselves, we rather like to be last man, and to allow -our more energetic friends to go on ahead. The last man has far the -easiest place on a newly made track, and we do not thirst for the glory -of breaking the snow. - -But, of course, a properly organised party should keep together, and -its members should take it in turns to go ahead. It is in itself -a pleasure to move steadily upwards in this way, the ski and the -sticks keeping time, and it makes the way seem shorter and easier for -everybody. - -One concluding word of advice may here be given. Eat your lunch -some little distance below your intended highest point. The tops of -mountains and passes are apt to be draughty, and, besides, it is much -better to begin the run down when the muscles are warm and supple than -to wait till after they have turned cold and stiff from sitting about. - - -GLIDING DOWN. - -Gliding down is the characteristic part of ski-running, as distinct -from the use of pattens, Canadian snow-shoes, &c. It is the reward -reaped after the labours of the climb. The ascent is, indeed, a -struggle against gravity, but the descent is the highest advantage -that any physical exercise can safely derive from terrestrial -attraction. - -Let us imagine ourselves on the top of some long Norwegian mountain -ready for the plunge. There is a clear course between the steep rocks -near the top, and an open run across the glacier below to the terminal -moraine a mile off. We can see every yard of the way, and all is fair -going, yet we feel just the merest tinge of nervousness, for the -incline is steep, and looks steeper than it is. But there is really no -danger, so it is over the edge and off! In an instant all fears are -left behind, for now balance and quickness of eye are to be put to the -test, and the wind is whistling and the snow dust spurting. We whiz -past the rocks and over a few inequalities, negotiated here by a spring -and a flight of a few yards through the air and there by a compensating -yielding of the knees. Now we rush out on to the smooth surface of the -glacier, where there is no jar and no vibration. Our feet seem to have -vanished, and we lean, as it were, in space, with the ice-wind pressed -against us. There is no more need for balancing, and no thought of -falling, so even is the motion and so trustworthy the snow. Smoothly -our wooden wings bear us onwards, and the furlongs lie behind! But the -end approaches, the slope becomes less steep, the pace slackens, and -presently we glide gently up the opposite slope of the moraine and turn -to watch our companions. - -Such is the best picture we can give you of a good straight glissade -on ski; but there is not the slightest reason, friend novice, why you -yourself should not enjoy the reality ere long. You must, however, -learn to walk before you can run, and we would have you make your first -attempts on some quite easy slope, removed if possible from the public -gaze. A few obstacles, such as trees, scattered about do not matter, -as you are not in the least likely to run into them, and they serve to -accustom the eye to their presence. If possible, let there be a gradual -outrun at the bottom of the hill. Practise there awhile, and as soon as -you can run down without a fall move on somewhere else to a place where -the ground is steeper and more uneven. - -To start on steep ground is a little difficult at first. Stand -horizontally to the direction of the slope. Then _as quickly as -possible_ lift round first the lower and then the upper ski. Lean -forward and off! If you are quick and lean forward, the ski will not -bolt from under you; if you are slow and hang back, they will. - -[Illustration: FIG. 18.--_Gliding on ski._--1. Correct position; 2 and -3. Dangerous and incorrect.] - -The correct position for descending a hill is that shown in Fig. 18 -(1) above. Keep the ski parallel and _as close together as you can_ -(touching if possible), advance one foot about twelve inches, and let -the main weight of the body rest on the ball of the “hind” foot; feel -your way, so to speak, with the front foot. _Lean forward. Bend the -knees slightly, and be as free and as elastic about them as possible._ -Practise with either foot leading. Avoid any affected and ridiculous -pose. Do not, for example, if you are running without a stick, hold -the arms straight out from the body as though you were walking a -tight-rope. To do so may slightly assist the balance, but you cannot -run like this with a stick in your hand, and it is far better not to -get into bad habits. No. 3 in the diagram (p. 63) is a very common -attitude, but it is as bad as bad can be. The wide spoor is a cause of -instability, the _extreme_ bending of the knee is a source of weakness, -and there is a very fair chance of the runner (if he falls forward) -knocking out his front teeth against his stick. Hold that article -_clear of the ground_ in a safe position as shown (No. 1, p. 63), and -practise sometimes without it. _Above all things, do not lean backwards -on to the pole_, for the consequence of so doing is that the upper part -of the body is retarded in its speed, and, being thus left further and -further behind, a spill on lumpy ground becomes inevitable. There is -a right way of using the pole for braking and turning, which will be -explained further on, but until some little skill in simple straight -glissading is gained it is best not to trouble about this. We strongly -advise you in the meanwhile not to use the stick at all, but, for -reasons previously stated (see pp. 44 and 45), to practise with it held -in the hand clear of the ground. - -Double sticks should be held up one in each hand or trailed behind. - -The position shown in Fig. 18 (1) is the safest position for running -over unbroken snow, for by advancing the foot one lengthens the running -surface and so glides more easily over any inequalities, and by holding -the ski together one is less disturbed by any lateral irregularities. -But on an icy road it will be found easier to run with the feet more -level and somewhat apart, for there another disturbing factor, side -slip, comes into play. - -So, again, when changes of the snow’s surface are likely to occur, -causing the ski at one time to run freely and at another to stick, it -will be found better to crouch close down to the ground, for by doing -so one lowers the centre of gravity, and is less likely to be pitched -forward when entering the slow snow. And there will be other occasions -when the runner will find it necessary to more or less modify the -position shown in Fig. 18 (1). Nevertheless, this attitude may safely -be considered the _normal_ one for descending hills on ski, and the -beginner is recommended to study it carefully, and to adhere to it as -closely as circumstances will permit. - - -FALLING AND GETTING UP. - -As to the former, we beg to offer Mr. Punch’s advice to those about -to marry--“don’t.” Every ski-runner falls more or less, the beginner -very much, the expert very rarely. But most novices are apt to throw -themselves down far oftener than there is any occasion for. Do not, -therefore, give up simply because you lose your balance a little; very -frequently if you try hard you will be able to keep upright. If you -make up your mind to “stand” down a difficult hill, the chances are -that you will succeed in doing so; but if you are nervous and hang -back, you are almost certain to come to grief. It is specially true -of ski-running that fortune favours the brave. When, however, a fall -cannot be avoided, we would advise you, if possible, to cast yourself -down sideways and backwards; but if the whole affair is beyond your -control, then relax every muscle in your body and let yourself go. Make -no attempt to save yourself or stop rolling. Then there will be no -snapping of tense sinews. - -You will generally find out the easiest way of getting up for yourself, -but two little artifices may here be mentioned. One is to get on to the -back of your ski in deep snow; and the other is to bring the ski below -you on a steep slope and to place them at right angles to the gradient -before attempting to rise. - - -SLIGHT CHANGES OF DIRECTION. - -Slight changes of direction can be made by leaning the body a little -this way or that. This is very easy, and requires no explanation. - - -“SKATING.” - -Another way of steering is to lift one of the ski and place it down in -the direction in which one wishes to go, at the same time striking out -with the other foot as in skating. This accomplishment is not exactly -pretty, but it is very useful. One can thus help the ski round a bend -in a road or thread one’s way down a gentle slope amongst trees without -losing speed. It is, however, impossible to execute a very rapid turn -in this manner. A good way of practising “skating” is to do a sort of -“inside edge” on any firm surface (_e.g._, a snow-covered lake) on the -level. One strikes out with the ski in the same manner as with skates -on ice. - - -BRAKING WITH THE STICK. - -This method of controlling the speed has been the subject of a good -deal of discussion. The objections to it are (1) that it is a less -powerful method than any of the others to be mentioned later on; (2) -that it requires greater strength; (3) that the stick is liable to -break and leave the runner helpless; (4) that _its constant use is -conducive to a bad style of running, spoiling the balance, and making -the learning of the other movements more difficult_. Nevertheless, we -doubt whether even the cleverest novice will be able to stop quickly -by means of the “Telemark” or “Christiania” swings for at least a -month or two, and most people will take far longer to learn to do them -even moderately well. How, then, are the poor things to manage in the -meantime? “By snow-ploughing and by stemming,” you reply. Certainly, -but the fact is that with these methods when no stick is used it is -quite impossible, when travelling very fast, to stop suddenly, though -with the help of the stick it is easy to do so. - -But we will here go a step further and assert that there are places and -conditions of snow where the use of the stick becomes imperative even -to the expert, as, for example, when traversing a steep and crusted -slope with a precipice below it. We propose therefore, to deal with the -proper way of managing it before proceeding further. - -_The important thing to remember in using the stick is to hold it quite -short_, and _as far in front as possible_. Do not let it drag behind. - -The accompanying diagrams illustrate a right and a wrong method. Note -that in (1) the left forearm and hand of the runner should rest against -the inside of the shin of his left (advanced) leg. The left hand serves -as a fulcrum, the long end of the lever being held in the right. -Considerable power may be obtained in this manner, but it is not always -feasible on lumpy ground. You must use your own judgment as to when to -employ it, bearing in mind the above principle. But, above all things, -do not assume the position depicted in (2). Here, even though the -entire weight of the body rests on the stick, its braking value (owing -to the angle at which it touches the snow) is very slight. In this -position the ski gradually slide further and further ahead, leaving the -stick, with the runner clinging to it, further and further behind; all -balance and all control are lost, and as soon as a little inequality is -met with a spill occurs. - -[Illustration: FIG. 19.--_Braking with the stick._--1. A right way; 2. -A wrong way.] - -There exists a way of sitting with the _thigh_ on the pole (_not_ with -the junction of the legs) for braking on narrow, steep, and icy roads, -where all other means are simply out of the question (see Fig. 20); -and for the successful execution of this manœuvre it is necessary to -note the following points very carefully. Assuming one wishes to sit -on the left thigh, then the left hand grasps the end of the pole which -protrudes below. Let this hand be close to the seat, and let the part -of the stick between hand and point be as short as possible. The right -hand _rests on the right knee_, and seizes the upper end of the pole. -This is important, for it is the use of the knee as a support for the -upper hand which gives rigidity to the whole arrangement and allows -one to hold out over long distances. The leg--the one on which one -sits (in the example to the left)--is stretched out in front, and by -shifting the weight from the ski to the point of the pole one can stop -instantly, even on clear ice. - -[Illustration: FIG. 20.--_Correct stick riding._] - -[Illustration: FIG. 21.--_Snow ploughing._ Showing a method of using -the stick.] - - -SNOW-PLOUGHING. - -We now come to a better method of stopping and braking. Snow-ploughing -is used for reducing the pace and stopping _when running straight -down_. In principle it is very simple, and it is quite easy to learn. -The heels of the ski are pressed apart, and the toes held together, -by which means a V-shaped kind of plough is formed, the friction of -which against the snow causes one to stop. The wider the angle of the -V the greater, of course, will be the braking power. The weight is -distributed evenly between the two ski, and when the snow is hard both -are turned slightly on to their inner edges. When the snow is soft it -is best to hold them flat. The method is particularly serviceable on a -hard road, and under such conditions, even when travelling fast, it can -be employed quite suddenly without fear of accidents. But on soft snow -any attempt to use it when running fast will result in the ski crossing -and a fall forwards. Under such conditions nobody has strength -enough to hold the ski apart. One must accordingly stop (by some other -means) and then, if one wishes to proceed slowly, place the ski in the -V-shaped position and restart. - -[Illustration: RECONNOITRING. Half-way up Piz Nier. - -_Photo by E. C. Richardson._] - -The stick is a useful adjunct to snow-ploughing, and Fig. 21 shows a -serviceable way of holding it. - - -SIDE-SLIPPING. - -On _very_ steep slopes, especially if such be icy, it is sometimes -necessary to slip down sideways. This is simply accomplished by holding -the ski at right angles to the fall of the slope and keeping them -_flat_ on the snow (or ice-crust) instead of edging them. The stick -is held in the snow above the runner, and assists him in preserving -his balance, for the motion is necessarily somewhat irregular. -Side-slipping is, however, nothing but a method of descending a -dangerous slope where snow-ploughing, “stemming,” &c. (see _infra_), -are out of the question. It is not amusing or pretty, but merely -occasionally useful. - - -STEMMING. - -Stemming is akin to snow-ploughing, and by some German writers the -stemming position is termed the half-snow-plough position. It is a most -valuable way of reducing the speed when _traversing_ a slope which one -does not desire to, or cannot, descend straight, and it is also of -great service for turning and stopping under all circumstances. Whilst -of ancient origin and known to all good Norwegian runners, stemming -is but little used in Norway. The chief reasons for this are that the -ground in that country is not in general steep enough to necessitate -traversing, and that most Norwegians are from early childhood familiar -with the more difficult Telemark and Christiania swings. On the -Continent, however, the ground is usually steeper and the skill of the -runner less, and there stemming has been found to be very useful. We -have no hesitation in recommending the beginner to learn it at this -stage if he wants to tour as soon as possible, and eventually to become -a good all-round ski-runner. - -At Lilienfeld, a small village near Vienna, stemming was hit upon, -quite independently, by a Herr Zdarsky (an Austrian gentleman to -whom we have already referred), who turned a philosophical mind to -its scientific development. The description which we give of it -is practically the same as that given in his book. Herr Zdarsky -recommends the use of his own special binding, and employs a shortish, -smooth-bottomed ski with a bluff entrance. We have found, however, that -the movements can be made with any good firm binding and with any ski, -though they are undoubtedly easier, both to learn and to accomplish, on -a flat-bottomed short ski, than on a relatively long and grooved ski. -(See p. 32.) - -[Illustration: FIG. 22.--_Stemming._] - -In learning stemming one distinguishes between the “glider” (the -sliding ski) and the “braker” (the stemming ski). On a hillside the -glider is the upper of the two. The glider must point in the direction -in which one wishes to go. The lower ski, the braker, is kept a little -behind the other, so as to prevent the glider crossing it, and is held -in the position shown in the above diagram (Fig. 22). In order to -ensure smooth and accurate progress it is highly important to remember -to _keep both ski flat on the snow_. - -Begin by running obliquely across and down a good steep slope in this -position, _keeping all the weight of the body on the glider, and -merely brushing the snow lightly with the braker_. Choose a gradient -of sufficient steepness to keep you moving at a rate of, say, three -or four miles an hour, and endeavour to run smoothly and to keep in a -straight line. - -In practising this you will discover that by pressing more or less on -the braker you can turn up-hill, stop, or go slow, just as you please. -We accordingly formulate directions for so doing. - -TO TURN UP-HILL.--Press lightly on the braker, edging it into the snow. - -TO STOP.--Press hard, and turn the body up-hill. You will find yourself -come round with a swing. This method of stopping can, of course, be -used anywhere--_e.g._, on the level after running straight down, where, -if one wishes to stop by (say) a turn to the right, one stems with the -left ski, at the same time turning the body to the right. - -TO SLIGHTLY REDUCE THE SPEED.--Press a little on the braker without -altering your direction. - -Practise these three things patiently, constantly remembering the -injunctions: Glider flat! Weight on glider! (or on braker, to stop!) -Lean forward! Heels apart! Points together! (which latter means that -one must keep the tip of the braker close to the _side_ of the glider, -and about a foot behind its tip). - -On hard snow both ski will have to be edged so as to afford a grip on -the impenetrable surface and to prevent side-slip. And between the -extremes of the softest and the hardest snow the runner will discover -many instances where he may have to edge the braker a little while -going. But let him, all the same, interpret these remarks as absolutely -as he can, and always try hard to hold the ski _as flat as possible_. - -_Practise on steep ground_, because there mistakes are more easily -discovered, and the correct way soon proclaims its advantages. - -Fig. 23 illustrates the proper position for the ski in stemming. The -arrow “s” is the fall of the slope, for the reader is looking straight -at the mountain; “d” is the direction in which the runner wishes to go -obliquely across this slope. This direction is on the whole that of -the glider “g.” The braker “b” brushes the snow with its entire length, -thus producing a _broad_ track, the direct evidence of the braking -power--_i.e._, friction. Therefore, weight _off_ the braker for going, -_on_ for stopping. The steeper the slope the wider must be the angle -formed by the two ski. The little circle “p” shows whereabouts the -point of the pole should be--that is, a little behind the upper foot. - -[Illustration: FIG. 23.--_Position for the ski in stemming._] - -The pole may be used to facilitate balance when executing these -movements, its point lightly furrowing the snow. It will also be found -to considerably assist a sudden stop, for by pressing it into the -ground and throwing all the weight on to the braker the glider becomes -entirely disengaged, and there is less chance of its crossing the -braker, as is otherwise apt to happen when running very fast. Hold the -pole fairly short, do not lean back on it, and do not use it more than -is really necessary. - - -TO MAKE A DOWN-HILL CURVE. - -The foregoing section gave the beginner directions for turning quickly -up-hill, but how shall he, when crossing a steep slope, turn quickly -down-hill and, without stopping, continue his traverse in the opposite -direction? - -To do this is evidently a most valuable accomplishment, for if the -runner cannot achieve it he is obliged at the end of his traverse to -stop and turn as described on p. 55 before he can start off again on -the other tack. - -[Illustration: FIG. 24. - -_A circular curve to the left._ - -(=O= represents the =pole=.) - -This is the fall of the Slope. - -=1.=--You are coming obliquely from above, in the direction of the -arrow “_d_.” First give a vigorous stem with the lower ski “_b_.” Then - -=2.=--Let your body sink forward to the left; pull heels more apart. - -=3.=--Now you are looking straight down the slope. Just before this -moment you had time to change your stick over. _Both ski flat. Weight -on ski nearest this print._ Note the position for the pole. - -=4.=--Coming into stemming “right.” - -=5.=--_Done._ Continuing your way stemming “right.”] - -Here is the easiest way to learn. - -First reduce the speed by a vigorous “stem,” _taking care not to turn -up-hill_ in so doing. Then, keeping _both_ ski rigidly _flat_ and -holding the heels far apart and the points of the ski close together, -turn the body down-hill. LEAN FORWARD, AND THROW ALL THE WEIGHT ON TO -THE OUTSIDE (LOWER) SKI. - -You will then, if you have followed these directions _in every -particular_, come round with a delightful swish and find yourself -starting off comfortably in the other direction. - -Change the stick to the other side of the body when about half round, -because at that instant one is almost stationary for half a second or -so. - -The more one pulls the heels apart the shorter and neater the curve -will be. - -If success does not follow, it is due to some mistake, such as not -leaning forward (one will then sit down), or edging the ski (they -catch in the snow and overthrow the runner), or not tearing the heels -sufficiently apart and throwing the weight on to the lower ski (which -causes one to go off at a tangent instead of completing the arc). - -The words of command for the curve are, then: Lean forward! Ski flat! -Heels apart! Weight on the lower ski! - -The diagrams pp. 73 and 75 should be of assistance in enabling the -beginner to understand what is meant. On a really steep hill it -requires a considerable amount of nerve to make up one’s mind to plunge -for an instant headlong downwards. One’s natural inclination is to hang -back and lean inwards, but this is precisely what one must not do. - -The stick will be found to be of considerable assistance in making this -curve, a little touch with it in the snow just as one is coming round -being a great help to the balance. When shifting it across as above -described, hold it rather short and place it in the snow well _in front -of you_. This will assist you in leaning forward. Do not, however, -attempt to spin round leaning on it; to do so throws the weight inside, -which is quite fatal. It is, of course, perfectly possible to make -the turn without a stick at all, but to do so is difficult on very -steep ground. Practise on a moderate slope to begin with; when you -become proficient move on to steeper and yet steeper places; but, of -course, look out for avalanches! - -[Illustration: FIG. 25.--Positions 1-5 arranged on a curve. It must, -however, be remembered that in nature the movements follow so closely -that the ski on the drawing would have to overlap. The sweep of a -well-made curve clears a semi-lunar space with a wall of snow at its -lower rim.] - -[Illustration: FIG. 26. Shows this.] - -Coming down a long and complicated slope one joins one curve to another -without a break, thus dodging the trees and rocks. On a steep incline, -if there are obstacles in the way of a straight descent, the S-track, -as it is called, affords a safe reduction of speed and a prolongation -of the pleasurable slide. - -The ski-runner who has reached this stage enjoys himself wherever there -is snow, even if there be little of it, for he can circumvent the -patches where it has melted away. The photograph on the opposite page -shows what can be done after a single winter’s patient practice. It is -a “snake-line” made in the winter of 1903 by one of the writers of this -chapter, and by no means an accomplishment requiring more than ordinary -skill or talent. The slope in question descends from Alp Laret, near -St. Moritz, to the valley in which lies the world-famed Cresta toboggan -run. The gradient is between 40 deg. and 50 deg. (55 deg. to 60 deg. -near the top), and the vertical distance from top to bottom amounts to -exactly 300 metres (1,000ft.). The small avalanche about the middle was -started by the ski of the runner, and the marks and remains of older -avalanches on the left give sufficient testimony as to the steepness of -the spot. The length of the run must be at least half a mile, and the -entire distance was covered without a single fall or stumble. May the -beginner draw the proper conclusion: that where there’s a will there’s -a way, and that both in this case are within the reach of the ordinary -individual who can walk, row, shoot, ride, play tennis, cricket, or -football. - -What is it that makes the votary of the slender plank count the -shortening days, and greet with boyish glee the slowly falling flakes? -What makes him tremble with excitement at the sight of the whitening -hills? It is the memory of past delights, the impatience to taste them -again. He sees himself on the top of the mountain. From his feet a -vista of stately firs on a slope of dazzling white stretches away -into the valley a thousand feet below. Above, the clear blue sky. -Off he goes! For ten minutes the swish of the spurting snow is sweet -music to his ears; for ten minutes he scorns the soaring albatross, as -he feels himself buoyed by the feathering ski, swaying from curve to -curve. The excitement of the start has left him, and though ten minutes -may seem a short time he enjoys them to the full, for he is calm, and -glides easily, without a show of strength, without effort or strain. He -feels the mighty power of the rush, the living force which is gathering -as he flies, which drives him along, but which is nevertheless under -his absolute control. He toys with the weight that impels him; by small -movements of his ski he steers and directs the energy within. He can -make the snow yield like water, or resist like steel. He is swung from -turn to turn, irresistibly, but with safe and stately motion, by the -force which he commands; he feels himself rocking softly, like the -petrel on the waves. - -[Illustration: THE SNAKE OF LARET. - -_Photo by W. R. Rickmers._] - -Then comes the end; the stream at the bottom is near. A sudden twist; a -swirling cloud of white, and, as the crystals settle glittering in the -sun, there one sees him firm and erect, the ruler of the mountain, the -master of the snow and ski! - - -THE “TELEMARK” SWING. - -We now come to other more rapid, more brilliant, and more difficult -methods of turning and coming to a sudden standstill. The stemming -turn can hardly be performed quickly when running very fast without -the aid of the stick, especially when long grooved ski are used. But -with the “Telemark” and “Christiania” swings, about to be described, -a good runner can stop suddenly almost anywhere when travelling much -faster. It is indeed a worthy sight to see such a one come sailing -past, his every sinew as pliable and strong as the good ash beneath -his feet, yielding to each dip, as a smart racing vessel yields to the -waves. Twenty-five miles an hour he is travelling, and not a furlong -less. To stop suddenly at such a speed seems impossible. But, swish! -and he is round as easily and as quickly as you can read these words. -How was it done? It was all so rapid you could not follow. You saw -a little sinking on one knee--perhaps not even that. The snow hid -nearly everything. You slide up to our friend and ask him to show -you what he did. He will be most polite and most anxious for you to -learn--especially if he be a Norwegian, as will almost certainly prove -to be the fact. You will be shown just how to place your feet, and just -how to bend the knees, and just how to lean the body. And you will -start off and fail hopelessly again and again. By and by, however, -especially if your teacher be an intelligent man who has had previous -experience with beginners, you will begin to understand the knack of -the movement, and by the end of the afternoon you should be rewarded by -some measure of success. - -But perhaps you may not be fortunate enough to meet with such a runner, -or, what is by no means improbable, it may be that, though a clever -performer on ski, he is not a good instructor. He makes the swing, but -knows not himself how he does it. And small blame to him, for how many -people trouble to analyse the things they have learnt as children? - -We venture to offer our services. But is it possible to learn these -subtle manœuvres from a book? Most certainly it is; but you must either -take it with you into the field, or else (what is as good, or better) -have some preliminary practice in your bed-room, where you will have -only your looking-glass for an audience, and no small boy in the -immediate neighbourhood to point the finger of scorn. If you do this, -we are sure that you will learn very quickly, or if you fail, then our -instructions must be wrong. If, however, you simply glance through what -we have written without making practical experiments, book in hand, we -can accept no responsibility. These turns are really not at all hard -to make fairly well, which is all that we can pretend to teach; but -to make them with certainty requires long practice. And that is, of -course, entirely your own affair. - -We propose to deal with the “Telemark” first--not because it is easier -or more useful, for in this respect there is little to choose between -them, but because it is customary to do so. Besides, the Telemark is a -much prettier swing than the “Christiania,” and it will make a greater -impression on your admiring friends should you be so lucky as to -succeed in making one when showing off. - -You will not find your stick (on which we trust you are not in the -habit of riding) of the slightest assistance to you in _learning_ -either of these swings. It _may_ help you a little to _make_ the -Christiania once you have acquired the knack of it, but we are very -doubtful even about that, and we strongly advise that from now on you -do not use it at all. Hold it in your hand, except when jumping, as -previously recommended (p. 45), but make no attempt to use it. - -[Illustration: FIG. 27.--The Telemark swing.] - -Each of these swings can be made in two directions--to right or to -left; and each has its special use for special occasions. Apart, -therefore, from being a graceful accomplishment and from the excellent -practice it affords, it is of considerable practical value to be able -to make all four of them. Nevertheless, most people are content with -one of each kind--a Telemark to the left and a Christiania to the -right--which enables them under ordinary conditions to turn in either -direction without changing the foot (see _infra_). But the best -runners can make all four swings, and we recommend you to emulate their -example. - -The Telemark swing is easiest in loose snow, where there is little -side slip. We find it rather easier on the level than the Christiania -(_e.g._, to stop after making a jump), but it is more difficult to make -quickly on a hillside, and in general it is not quite so rapid as the -Christiania. - -Fig. 27 (_a_) shows the position in which the body and limbs are held -throughout a Telemark swing to the left. It is convenient to call this -position the Telemark position. Fig. 27 (_b_) shows the position which -the ski assume after the swing is over. - -The following directions are for making a Telemark swing to the left. - -The directions for making a Telemark swing to the right are identically -the same, substituting left for right and right for left throughout. - -TO MAKE A TELEMARK SWING TO THE LEFT.--(_a_) From the normal position -for running down (see p. 63) advance the right ski till the right -ankle is opposite the bend of the left ski. Raise the heel of the left -foot off the left ski, bend the left knee, and throw all the weight -forward on to the right foot. (This is what we mean by “the Telemark -position.”) (_b_) Place the right ski slightly on its left edge and -turn and lean the whole body to the left. - -If these directions are correctly carried out, the runner will come -round with a sweep, the sharpness of which will depend upon the force -with which he turns his body as advised in (_b_). - -An excellent way of learning this turn is to practise running straight -down hill in the Telemark position. Note especially to raise the heel -of the left foot as shown. This is highly important, and is, in fact, -the key to the whole affair, for if the runner raises his heel he is -almost compelled to throw the weight forward on to the right foot, and -if he can once succeed in doing this everything else is comparatively -easy. So remember to _raise the heel of the left foot and to kneel well -down on the left ski_. Cultivate as narrow a spoor as possible, and as -soon as you can run straight like this at a moderate speed try turning -the body ever such a little. _Look the way you wish to go._ You will -be delighted to discover what a small amount of turning will cause you -to come round very quickly. - -To compensate for the centrifugal force exercised by the turn on the -upper part of the body, you will have to lean inwards; in fact, after -you begin to get the knack of the thing, you are pretty certain to -be thrown outwards once or twice. But do not trouble about that too -much; _do not at first make any conscious effort to lean inwards_, or -you will probably fall in that direction; you will very soon begin to -compensate for the outward throw quite unconsciously. - -Do not try to turn too quickly when learning, but rather take matters -easily; _speed will come by and by_--in which connection note that both -the “Telemark” and the “Christiania” are _swings_ and _not jerks_, and -that, however rapidly they be performed, the body should be turned -_crescendo_ and _not_ (to continue the music metaphor) _sforzando_. - -Another capital way of practising is to stand on some level space at -the edge of a steep hill in the position shown in Fig. 27 (_a_) and -then to slip over the edge and instantly to begin to swing. This method -will allow you to practise a great number of swings in a short time -without the trouble of walking a long way up-hill in order to gain -speed. The following diagram shows graphically how to do so:-- - -[Illustration: FIG. 28.--A C B is the edge of a steep slope falling in -the direction of the arrow. Stand at the point C. Slip over the edge, -and at once make a swing to the left, stopping at E. Walk up the dotted -line to O, turn (_see_ p. 55) and return to C. Then make a swing to the -right, stopping at D, and returning to C _via_ L. Next, run a little -further down, and swing to G, &c., &c. In this manner the difficulty of -the swing is gradually increased.] - -The “Telemark” swing can also be used to make down-hill turns in the -manner described above, p. 72, and the principles there given hold good -here, except that the “Telemark” position, instead of the stemming -position, is held throughout. - -A succession of S turns made in this way looks very pretty, but on a -very steep hill their execution becomes rather uncertain, for the snow, -unless perfect, is apt to slip irregularly, and with a true “Telemark” -the stick is no use to help matters out. We have found, however, that a -sort of half-stemming, half-“Telemark” position plus a little stick is -useful in inducing long ski to come round. - - -THE “CHRISTIANIA” SWING. - -The “Christiania” swing differs materially from the “Telemark” swing -in this, that in making it the normal position of the ski is retained, -and the turn is effected in the direction of the advanced foot--that -is to say, to the right if the right foot is leading, and to the left -with the left foot in front. It is easiest on hard snow and on steep -hills, where the ski are liable to skid, on which ground the “Telemark” -is especially difficult. - -[Illustration: FIG. 29.--The Christiania swing.] - -The term “Christiania” swing for this movement appears to be a -misnomer. For we are assured on very high authority that it was in -common use in Telemarken long before the inhabitants of the capital -acquired any skill in the art of ski-running. We are inclined to -suspect that the name is of Continental origin, for, though we -practised the “Christiania” years ago in Norway, we never there heard -it called by any other name than “Telemarking.” Be this, however, as -it may, the turn in question is a perfectly distinct one, and well -deserves a name of its own, and, as it is known all over Switzerland, -Germany, and Austria as the “Christiania,” we have not dared to take -upon us to alter the name. - -Besides being easier in shallow snow and on hillsides than the -Telemark, the Christiania is considerably the more rapid swing of -the two, and a skilful runner can by means of it stop suddenly when -travelling at almost any speed. - -Fig. 29 shows the position which the ski usually assume _after a swing -to the right is over_, but diagrams are, in describing this turn, of -very little value, for the great secret of success is to endeavour to -hold the ski in the normal position (see p. 63) throughout. - -Here are formal directions for making the swing to the right. To make -it to the left all that is necessary is to substitute left for right -and right for left throughout. - -TO MAKE A “CHRISTIANIA” SWING TO THE RIGHT:--(_a_) hold the ski in -the normal position (see p. 63), _press the feet close together_ and -distribute the weight evenly on both ski. Bend both knees a little. -(_b_) Gently _swing_ the whole body, but especially the region about -the hips, round to the right, at the same time leaning in that -direction, throwing the weight on to the _heels_ and edging both ski. - -You will, when you have mastered the knack of the movement, be -astonished how quickly you will come round. The ski will assume the -position above shown, and the weight will of itself fall almost -entirely on to the right foot. This latter fact accounts, we believe, -for the directions commonly given for making this turn--viz., to swing -almost entirely on the inner (here the right) foot and to place the -ski as shown. This was also the description given in the first edition -of this book, but a closer analysis and more experience in teaching -have induced us to alter it. We have found that any conscious effort -to swing on the right foot and to place the ski in the position shown -invariably results in the left ski rushing off at a tangent. To avoid -this it is necessary to press the ski tightly together throughout and -to _begin_ the turn with the weight evenly distributed on both. - -Beginners will find that the great difficulty in this swing is to get -it started. It involves a peculiar kind of catch of the back part of -the ski in the snow, which is very difficult to explain. Perhaps it -will assist you to arrive at the sort of “feel” of the movement if -you place a chair in front of you and then (standing before it in the -normal position, and without moving the feet) endeavour to sit down on -it. - -In this turn also the precepts given above as to swinging easily and -not jerking, and leaving the lean inwards to take care of itself, apply. - -It may also be practised after the manner shown in Fig. 28. - -_As a substitute for stemming a little of the swing is very useful -for braking when traversing a steep slope._ To practise this select a -steep hill and run straight for a short distance obliquely down and -across it; then make a little of the swing, reducing the pace; then run -straight again; and so on. This is also a very good way of learning the -turn itself. - -There seems to be no reason why one should not make S turns by means of -the “Christiania” swing, though to do so must be rather difficult. - -In order to save time in changing the foot, skilful runners when -threading their way through a wood (for example) usually make their -turns by the “Telemark” for one direction and the “Christiania” for the -other. - -In the above description we have advised the beginner to learn the -“Christiania” swing in the normal position with one foot leading, but -it can also be made with the feet perfectly level. We well remember -our delight and astonishment on one occasion when we saw a first-class -Norwegian runner, after making a 70ft. jump, and when travelling at a -great speed, avoid colliding with a friend and two trees by making with -wonderful rapidity three “Christiania” swings--left, right, and left. - -There are, of course, other ways of combining these various methods -of turning which an expert employs quite unconsciously. Indeed, it -is highly probable that your Norwegian friends will never even have -heard of a “Stemming turn” or a “Christiania swing,” any more than -a South Sea islander has heard of a verb or an adjective. This does -not, however, prevent the Norwegian from being an expert on ski or -the coloured gentleman from being a fluent speaker. Nor has it any -bearing on the fact that you as a foreigner will find a grammar of -assistance in learning Kanaka. It is our hope that the classification -we have adopted may similarly prove of assistance to you in becoming a -proficient ski-runner. - - - - -JUMPING. - -By E. C. RICHARDSON. - - -So many strange and perverted ideas prevail in England and on the -Continent as to what ski-jumping is, that it is, perhaps, excusable -to begin by mentioning a few of the things which it is not. To begin -with, there are people who think that ski are a sort of seven-league -boots on which one may fly across the snow planes as fast as an -express train, jumping any minor obstacles, such as houses or trees, -which happen to be in the way. This is not so. Four or five miles per -hour is very good going on the level, and it is impossible to jump -upwards from the level over anything higher than a small gooseberry -bush. Again, one frequently hears that Norwegians are born on ski, and -jump before they can walk; but, though the writer of this article has -made every inquiry, he has, so far, failed to authenticate a single -case in point. The truth is that Norwegians of all ages are fond of -ski-running and jumping, but, owing to such things as the melting of -the snow in summer, extreme youth and old age, business and the like, -only a comparatively small number are worthy to be called real experts. -Further, it is not the fact that a special exercise place, with an -elaborately built take-off, is essential. On most hills it is possible -to build, in a few minutes, a jump which will give entertainment both -to the skilful and unskilful; and it frequently happens in the course -of a tour that a little natural drop presents itself, from which one -may skim through the air for several yards before again touching the -snow. True that in Norway hills are specially prepared and elaborate -takeoffs built, but these are chiefly used for competitions, where -long and difficult leaps and spectacular effect are required. It cannot -be too strongly insisted that the sport is wholly independent of -such things, and that, whilst the jump affords by far the best means -of judging the skill of a ski-runner, its enjoyment is by no means -dependent on elaborate construction or mere competition. - -[Illustration: SOLBERG HILL. - -A successful leap. The jumper’s cap thrown off in flight may be seen -behind him. - -_Photo by D. M. M. Chrichton Somerville._] - -[Illustration: FIG. 30.--The Solberg Hill (near Christiania.) - - Metres. - Length from start (A) to take off (B) = 82 - Length from take-off to bottom of hill = 80 - ---- - Together = 162 - - Fall from A to B = 23 - Fall from B to bottom = 32 - ---- - Together = 55 - -The steepness of the hill in degrees is marked below the outline.] - -Like other great sports, ski-jumping calls forth the qualities of -courage, skill, and endurance; a good jumper must have a cool head, a -quick eye, and, above all, a nice sense of balance; but, given these -things, it is open to all to succeed in some measure, be they old or -young, born near the north pole or the equator. - -These misapprehensions having been removed, it is expedient to give -a detailed description of what ski-jumping really is, detailed -instructions following later. Your attention is directed to Fig. 30, p. -87. - -This represents the section of an exceptionally suitable hill. The -jumper starts from the point A, and slides down to B, where he leaps. -The impetus gained from his journey from A to B, coupled with the leap, -sends him like a cannon ball through the air to C, where he alights, -and continues his course to D. Here he usually stops himself by a -Telemark or Christiania swing. The distance from B to C is the measure -of the length of the jump, which may be anything up to 134ft. (the -record to 1903), according to the condition of the snow; shape, length, -and steepness of the hill; and the skill of the performer.[8] - -It will be seen from this that the jump is not a jump _up_, but a jump -_down_; and it can readily be guessed that the difficulty lies not so -much in attaining great length as in retaining an upright position on -alighting. It takes considerable practice to make a jump of 10ft. and -stand, whilst anybody, provided the hill be sufficiently steep, can -jump 100ft. and fall. - -Formerly, in Norway, the take-off used to be so placed that the jumper -alighted on the level, instead of on the hill side, and, at first -sight, such an arrangement might be thought to make matters easier. -This is, however, very far from being the case. A jump of anything over -a few yards on the level involves a considerable shock on alighting, -which is not only unpleasant, but renders “standing” a much more -difficult matter, whilst, in the event of a fall, serious injuries may -result. On the other hand, a jump downhill is attended by little or no -shock on alighting, which makes “standing” much easier, and falling -nothing more serious, in the vast majority of cases, than a long -roly-poly, broken by the snow. - -Assuming, then, that the slope and snow are suitable, the chief -requisites to success are a sense of balance and great daring. The -bolder, almost rasher, one is, the better. The outlook from the top -of a ski-jump of any magnitude is indeed alarming; for note that the -slope above the take-off is usually, and properly, less steep than -that below; and this means that a man of ordinary stature standing -at the point A (see diagram) sees nothing of the slope B C, and his -sensations, at least at first, are as of one about to launch himself -into a vast abyss. The danger is, however, very largely imaginary, -and a bold, coolly-calculated spring vastly increases the chances of -standing. - -But to proceed from these general remarks to details. The ski used for -jumping should be suited to the runner in accordance with the table -given (p. 34). It is not easy to jump on ski shorter than this, but -they may very well be a trifle longer. They should be rather on the -heavy side, so as not to flutter about in the air, and in order to -withstand the strain to which they are put on landing. - -Any good firm binding may be used which permits of vertical control -over the ski. - -No other special equipment is necessary. - -The best snow for jumping is that which has been down for some -days, and which has been trodden by ski into a fairly firm mass. -The temperature of the air should be below freezing point. On such -a surface the ski will glide swiftly and at an even rate of speed, -sinking in about an inch or so--_i.e._, sufficiently to avoid -side-slip. Sticky snow is dangerous, for the reason that it is apt -to occasion a nasty fall forwards, due to the checking of the ski on -alighting. For a similar reason, very deep soft snow is to be avoided, -but it should be noted that freshly fallen snow will often cease to -stick after it has been trodden down, especially should the temperature -of the air be low. - - -HOW TO SELECT AND PREPARE THE HILL. - -As above mentioned, we frequently come across natural jumps when on -tour which require little or no preparation. On most hill-sides there -are places where sudden little dips occur. Give a kick or two with the -ski just below such a dip, so as to make the step (see B, Fig. 30) more -pronounced, and scrape together a little snow on the top of it to raise -it somewhat. Then with half a minute’s stamping about the spot where -you intend to alight your preparations will be complete. Or, again, a -stone lying on a steep hill-side may be pressed into service after the -manner shown below. - -[Illustration: FIG. 31.--_Spraet hop_, made by piling snow above a -stone lying on the hill-side.] - -Care must, of course, be taken that the top of the stone be covered -with snow. This sort of jump, the point of which turns upwards, is -called a _spraet hop_ in Norwegian. It has the effect of throwing the -runner high into the air and is excellent practice. - -Edges of cornices (not, of course, large, dangerous ones), stumps of -trees, buried fences, &c., &c., can often be used for take-offs, and -the runner when on tour should keep his eyes open for such, as they -cause very amusing variations to ordinary going. - -But, though when a little skill has been acquired one should practice -on all sorts and kinds of places, it is probably best to begin on -something very easy, in order to gain confidence. - -Choose, then, a good steep hill with a fair out-run at the bottom. -The gradient should be not less than 20 degrees, but if it be steeper, -all the better. It is a great mistake to begin on too gentle a slope; -a steep hill is far easier and far safer. - -If you can find a hill with a little dip in it, well; but, if not, -never mind. - -First select the place for building your take-off. This will usually -be at the edge of the dip, supposing you have found one. If, however, -the slope below this point is less than about double the length of jump -you contemplate, or, say, 20 yards in all, you must place the take-off -somewhat back from the extreme edge, as shown in Fig. 30. But very -likely you may not be able to find any suitable hill with a dip in it. -Never mind; a smooth hill will do quite as well, or perhaps at first -even better. Choose a point on it 20 yards or so above the bottom, and -build a long take-off there in the shape shown below. - -[Illustration: FIG. 32.--A long take-off built on a smooth hill.] - -This is the form of hill on which you should practise for some time. -Do not at first let there be too much change between the slope of the -take-off and of the hill below, for the greater this difference the -more difficult will be the jump. - -In choosing a hill it is, of course, desirable to select one as smooth -and free from difficulties as possible. In Nature, however, such are -seldom to be found, and one generally has to be content with something -less perfect. _It is, however, to be noted that smoothness of surface -and regularity of snow, whilst everywhere desirable, are of special -importance for a distance of ten yards above the spot selected for the -take-off, and for about a similar length below the point of alighting._ - -So, having chosen your hill, stand down it once or twice to ascertain -the best lie for the track. Then stamp the snow well down with your ski -at the two important places above mentioned, making lanes down them -about nine feet broad, and filling up any hollows with good firm snow. - -Then construct the take-off. - -This may conveniently be done by making a little fence of tree branches -to the height of a foot or so, at right angles to the track, and then -filling up the space above them with layers of snow and more tree -branches placed flat. The structure should be made as firm as possible, -especially at the edge, and it should combine with the hill above it, -so as not to leave any sudden angle at the join. - -Begin with quite a little drop--about 1½ft. should be sufficient--and -as soon as you can “stand” over that build higher and higher. - -It is not _necessary_ for practice to make a very wide take-off--2ft. -or 3ft. should be amply sufficient. And in general do not waste -valuable time which might be spent in jumping in building a very -elaborate affair. - -The case is, of course, quite different if the hill is intended for a -competition. In this event too much care cannot be taken to give every -competitor an equal chance. Fig. 30 shows an outline of the Solberg -jumping hill, near Christiania, which may be taken as an example of -what a hill ought to be. The snow on a competition hill should be -thoroughly stamped down with ski _some hours before_ the intended -jumping. The take-off should be 3 or 4 yards wide, and there should -be plenty of men both above and below the take-off armed with rakes -to keep the snow in order. The spectators should not be allowed to -approach too closely to the track. The illustrations opposite pp. 9 and -87 show how this is arranged in Norway. - - -HOW TO JUMP. - -First study closely the figures in the diagram (Fig. 33), then read the -following instructions, referring back from time to time. - -[Illustration: FIG. 33. - -Showing position of limbs and body when jumping. - -N.B.--Many good ski-runners bring their ski quite level when assuming -the crouched position before jumping. - -The ski are omitted for the sake of clearness.] - - -THE APPROACH. - -Imagine yourself, then, standing some 20 or 30 yards above the -take-off. (The precise distance will, of course, depend on the -steepness of the hill and the speed which you wish to attain; but as -regards speed do not attempt too much at first; it is difficult, of -course, to give an exact measure, but a rate of about 5 yards per -second when approaching the edge of the jump should be sufficient to -begin with.) See that your ski-fastenings are in order, and polish your -ski a little on the snow, or on some fir branches or other twigs, to -remove any lumps adhering to the bottom of them. _Be altogether without -fear_, and start. - -Hold the ski close together, with one of them somewhat in advance--say, -with the heel of the one foot about in line with the toe of the other. - -About 15 yards or so before reaching the edge of the take-off bend -down, leaning a little forward (see Fig. 33). N.B.--About this point -many good jumpers bring their feet quite level. - - -THE SATS. - -_Some few yards before reaching the edge swing the body evenly -forwards, at the same time straightening up._ - -This movement is termed the “sats.” - -Note particularly that no attempt must be made to _lift_ the feet as in -ordinary jumping. The body should be swung evenly forwards, and at the -same time straighten up from the crouched to the erect position. The -movement, if made vigorously, does, in fact, cause a slight rising from -the ground, but it is best not to be too vigorous at first. _Unroll_ -yourself, so to speak, with an easy sweep, avoiding all stiffness and -jerking. - -It may perhaps help you to understand what is meant if you make an -_attempt_ to rise on the toes. You should not, indeed, actually rise, -but just at first, if you make an effort in that direction, it will -probably assist you to arrive at the knack of the thing. - -Another very important point is the timing of the movement. The body -should be nearly straight just as the take-off is left. Therefore, as -the movement itself takes time, the greater the speed at which you are -travelling the earlier you must begin. Whilst, on the other hand, the -more vigorous the straightening you intend to make the later you can -defer it. You are, however, advised to take things easily, especially -at first, and to aim rather at accuracy and elegance of style than at -mere length. Accordingly it will be necessary for you to begin the -straightening movement rather early. Remember when you first learnt to -shoot how often the tails of the rabbits and pheasants suffered. For -very similar reasons most beginners make the _sats_ too late. - -It follows from the above that the object of the _sats_ is -two-fold--firstly, to increase the length of the jump, and, secondly, -to bring the body into the proper position for alighting. The former -is achieved by the straightening movement, and the latter by the swing -forward. - -“But,” you ask, “why swing forward at all, why not keep quite still?” -The reason is that in descending all hills on slippery things like ski -the body must be kept quite straight over them--or, in other words, at -about right angles to the slope on which they are travelling. This is -sufficiently obvious. But observe that in jumping the slope below the -take-off is considerably steeper than that above (see p. 93). The body -must accordingly be brought forward when passing from one to the other, -or a fall backwards will result. And such is, indeed, the common fate -of the beginner, whose tendency is invariably to hang back! - -Now look at the _spraet hop_, shown in Fig. 31. Here the take-off -itself is turned upwards, and the difference between its direction and -that of the slope below becomes greater than ever. On such a jump it is -especially necessary to swing well forwards, for which reason it is the -very best practice, for once one has learnt to do that everything else -is easy. - - -POSITION IN THE AIR. - -The whole body should be straight and erect. So do not check the -straightening of the knees and thighs if you have not quite finished -your spring when you leave the take-off. - -You will feel a compelling necessity to wave your arms round and round -when in the air. Everybody does so more or less, but, of course, your -object should be to be reasonable in this. Frantic waving looks very -ugly. Endeavour to keep your ski parallel to the slope below. There is -always a tendency for the toes to fly up and the heels to drag, which -should be checked as far as possible by pressing down the toes. - - -ON ALIGHTING. - -Slide one foot forwards and the other backwards, relieving any shock -by a slight bending of the knees. This extending of the feet is of -great assistance in preserving the balance, and with a little practice -becomes almost instinctive. - -Resume as soon as possible the normal position--_i.e._, ski close -together, one foot slightly in advance, body slightly crouched. As soon -as possible after reaching the level stop yourself by making a Telemark -or Christiania swing. - -_Points to be remembered_:-- - - 1. _Don’t be frightened._ - 2. _Ski close together._ - 3. _Swing forward, “unroll.”_ - 4. _Extend ski on alighting._ - -Pay great attention to your “form,” which is all important, as -in rowing. Think of nothing else, and you will soon succeed. At -competitions the prize is not necessarily awarded to the competitor who -jumps furthest, even if he “stood” after alighting. For if the jump -was made in bad style assuredly it was a fluke, and will seldom be -repeated. All ski-jumpers fall more or less, but it is equally a matter -of surprise if the awkward should “stand,” or the elegant and correct -should fail. - - * * * * * - -The style of jumping above recommended is that known in Norway as the -_Svæve_--one swoops motionless through the air. It is certainly the -prettiest, as well as the easiest to learn. Another method, however, -exists, known as the _Trække op_, in which the leaper draws up his -legs during his flight, the object being to cover a longer distance. -This, however, however, looks rather ugly (according, at least, to -most people’s ideas), and it is questionable whether one comes so much -further with it, after all. - -[Illustration: LEIF BERG JUMPING 90 FEET, AT GLARUS, ’05. - -_Photo by E. Jeanrenaud._] - -But there is yet another point which it is far more difficult to -decide. Shall the runner jump with feet perfectly level or shall he -advance one of them as shown in Fig. 33? As will be seen from the above -description, the writer has not ventured to speak positively as to -this. On the one hand he has the authority of one of the Holmenkollen -judges for asserting that it is best for the beginner to keep one foot -in advance, whilst on the other the general practice of many (if not, -indeed, most) first-class performers undoubtedly is to keep the feet -quite level. The advocates of the advanced foot contend that extreme -steadiness is of vital importance in taking the _sats_, and that, -inasmuch as the advanced foot position is admittedly steadier than -the other for glissading, it should also be adopted at this stage. In -addition to which they argue that, after the flight through the air, -when the runner first touches ground the advanced foot is the more -stable position of the two. On the other side, those in favour of the -“level-footed” style contend:--Firstly, that to jump with one foot -forward looks ugly (and the writer is inclined to agree with them in -this), and, secondly, that it defeats its own ends, for it involves -leaning forward on to one foot, and accordingly jumping chiefly with -it. And this (they say) is conducive to a crooked flight through the -air. It is not, however, apparent how this is a necessary consequence, -for in ordinary long-jumping the spring is taken almost entirely with -one leg without the balance being in any way upset. - -These are, however, theoretical matters, as to which the reader -interested may well be left to work out conclusions for himself, whilst -those who do not care for argument can console themselves with the -reflection that whichever style they like to adopt they have excellent -authority for their choice. - -Is it possible that this is another question like that of the bindings -and that perhaps it does not matter so very much, after all? Or may -not both sides be right? May it not, for example, be best to jump -with level feet when the track is smooth and easy, but with one foot -forward when it is irregular and difficult? On the Continent rough -jumping on tour has hardly yet “caught on,” everything being regarded, -so to speak, through competition spectacles. And perhaps this is why -the level-footed style is there so much insisted on. He, however, who -limits himself to jumping at competitions and on elaborately prepared -tracks will never be a really clever ski-runner, and will miss a vast -deal of the possibilities and pleasures of this branch of the sport. - - - - -SKI MOUNTAINEERING. - -By W. R. RICKMERS. - - -It is quite impossible to define exactly what constitutes -mountaineering as apart from strolling and short excursions, -but its chief characteristics are distance from human dwellings -and human help, and the presence of special dangers. The term -“mountaineering” comprises a multitude of rules which teach how to -overcome the difficulties and how to avoid the dangers of rising -ground. Mountaineering is a science admirably expounded in a series -of classical text-books, the result of the experience of thousands -of climbers, and the essence of a literature of over 10,000 volumes. -From a subjective point of view mountaineering begins when a wanderer, -approaching a hill or mountain, is conscious of the fact that he will -meet with special conditions which demand a special knowledge. And the -minimum required of a man who wishes to be called a “mountaineer,” a -good mountain climber, an expert, is that as to the theory he should -have “Dent” at his finger-ends (C. T. Dent, Mountaineering, Badminton -Library); and as to the practice, he must be a man who can be trusted -to attempt any peak in the world without endangering the lives of his -companions. - -Now, it would be absurd to try to teach mountaineering in a chapter -of this book, for it takes ten years at least to make a mountaineer. -Still less dare I insult the mountaineer by advising him how to behave -in his element, for he will not go high and far until he feels at -home on the planks. By the time he has mastered the technicalities of -ski-ing, he knows everything about the outfit which suits him best, and -about his line of conduct on any expedition he may plan. My remarks -on the subject in hand cannot, therefore, be anything but a series of -very general reflections and impressions, simply intended as a loud -warning to ski-runners that they should study “Alpinism,” and as a -gentle reminder to mountaineers, that ski-running is a somewhat tricky -complication of their art. Why should I tell the latter what type -of ski to take on long tours, seeing that he knows on which kind he -travels best; why should he ask me about his ice-axe when he is sure to -take one or not according to the object in view?[9] - -Ski-runners, unless they are climbing experts, or accompanied by -such, must confine themselves to the usual practice-grounds and safe -excursions, for only a mountaineer can decide on the spot whether hill -craft is necessary or not. To explain how he arrives at this decision -would mean a very thick volume. The ski-runner, therefore, who wishes -to form a correct opinion of his own should make up his mind to learn -from amateurs, guides, and books how to look about, think, and behave -when he leaves the beaten track where multitudes are accustomed to go -unthinking and unadvised. My random observations are to impress him -with that necessity, and for the mountaineer they shall be an epitome -of familiar principles. - -In the winter the problem of the avalanche eclipses all others. The -rule to go only with guides or experienced friends disposes of the -general advice respecting glaciers, crevasses, slips, strategy, and -discipline, for in these things a man must train himself during many -seasons. The rule that only good ski-runners dare aspire towards -high peaks saves a long repetition of detail as to outfit.[10] The -ski-runner-mountaineer ought always to be a man who, during his -apprenticeship, knew something of cold, hunger, slow companions, and -broken ski. To have no spare gloves and no provisions, to fall where -one ought to stand, to step on a hollow, or to risk a dashing slide, -may have merely disagreeable results two miles from home; but the same -omissions and commissions can be suicidal, nay, even criminal, when -ten miles from the nearest human habitation. If you wish to kill, go -alone, and kill yourself, for every party of mountaineers suffers for -the thoughtlessness of each of its members, while the greatest skill or -ability of one of them is as nothing in the balance of fate when the -whole has to bear the inadequacy of the lowest unit. - -Extreme suspicion and wariness are the only correct attitude towards -the mountains in their winter garb. The number of factors which combine -to prepare or prevent an avalanche is truly bewildering, and any single -one of them may be the prime mover or the reliable safeguard in a given -instance. And this one was perhaps overlooked in weighing the evidence. -_The secret of the avalanche is the breaking strain and snapping point -of an unseen tension._ Avalanches owe their growth and collapse to -some or all of the following indications: The angle of the slope; the -surface of the ground; the quantity of the snow; the snow of a month -ago, of yesterday, and to-day; the temperature and the wind of a month -ago, yesterday, and today, while the snow fell, or before it fell, or -after it had fallen. And to consummate or prevent the catastrophy there -are, in conjunction with the above, the temperature at the time of our -arrival on the spot, the weight of the party, its methods of walking -or ski-ing, and sundry other accidents. So many possibilities produce -tantalising doubt rather than definite conviction, and more often than -not a slope, which presents all the visible elements of danger, may be -perfectly harmless. On the other hand, well-known guides have walked -into mouse-traps because one exceptional condition had altered the -internal character of a particular slope which, throughout their lives, -they had known as perfectly safe. A strong sense of human weakness -is therefore the proper frame of mind towards the mysterious and -overwhelming power of the snow. - -The mountaineer must condense the theory of avalanches into a few -comprehensive rules of thumb, and when in doubt he must give the -benefit to himself and not to the avalanche. - -SUSPICIOUS.--Every open slope of about 25 deg. or steeper, and _all new -snow in warm weather_. A thaw after a heavy fall of snow is the most -common cause of the thick and heavy slides known as ground avalanches. - -DANGEROUS.--Every heavy accumulation of snow at an angle of 40 deg. -or more, on long open slopes, and in gullies. At lesser angles all -snow which lies on a hard and smooth surface (grass, earth, old snow, -crust, ice, &c.). Hard snow under the lee of ridges. This is liable to -crack and to become suddenly transformed into what looks like a huge -waterfall of lumps of sugar. Therefore, one ought to cross such slopes -as high up as possible. The cornice which overhangs the ridge is more -dangerous to those who walk _on_ it than to those _under_ it. - -SAFE.--All slopes under 25 deg; all slopes evenly dotted with trees or -rocks; almost every perfectly homogeneous snow not deeper than 2ft. -which lies on a rough surface (screes, &c.). - -More cannot be said without conjuring up a flood of detail. This -experience and acquired instinct must fill in. The tourist can find -almost daily an opportunity of making experiments on a small scale, -though he should not forget that a cubic yard of snow can dislocate his -arm or break his leg. - -As an instance, showing the effect of surface, I may mention that, in -the Alpine spring, the grass slopes send down in huge avalanches the -solid layer accumulated and consolidated during the winter. At the -same time the firm, wet snow of exactly the same texture which lies on -screes remains perfectly safe, and affords splendid ski-ing. It never -slips off, but gradually melts, evaporates, and vanishes as the summer -draws near. - -The only exact method of dealing with avalanches would be to make -“avalanche maps” of popular centres. In these maps the slopes and -gullies which are always bad are coloured, let us say, red. A blue -slope would be dangerous under such and such conditions; a green -slope becomes threatening in the spring, &c. On these maps all those -expeditions should be marked which can be guaranteed as safe. - -The fear of the avalanche must always be before the ski-runner’s -conscience. All the rest is a matter of well-defined dogma, of strict -attention to well-known precautions, which belong to the routine of -every mountaineer deserving of the name. - -(1) Never go alone; three is the minimum. - -(2) One man at least must be an Alpine climber of experience. - -(3) All members of the party must be equal in skill. - -These three commandments are the essence. Let a few comments suffice. - -(1) The solitary mountaineer is a fool. This is an article of faith. -Permissible exceptions are rare. - -(2) The experienced leader will tell his friends all about the -crevasses, outfit, provisions, the importance of an early start, the -duty of keeping together, and the courage to turn back before the -approach of the night or bad weather. He will ask if everyone has his -goggles, spare gloves, provisions, snow-helmets, repairing tools. He -will take from everyone the promise to be strictly obeyed. - -(3) This is a necessary complement to 1 and 2. Ten stumblers of equal -proficiency are a good party, for they will generally get as far as -they deserve. Nine good men and one stumbler are bad, for they will -probably make that one poor man feel worse than he is. - -On long tours only persons can go who do not fall when they have the -will not to fall. He is not a fit companion for difficult expeditions -who is not sure that he can keep on his feet throughout the day. -A mountaineer never has a spill unless he forgets himself, his -companions, or his surroundings. - - NOTE.--In our experience by far the commonest form of winter - avalanche occurs when a ski-runner crosses (or some other - influence disturbs) a long steep slope of _freshly-fallen_ - snow. The weight of the runner is the last straw which causes - the slenderly coherent mass to snap. It does so with a curious - report, something like the cracking of thick ice on a frozen - lake. Below the dividing line, which may be half a mile long, - the snow slides off the hill-side much as it slides off the roof - of a house, forming itself into thick slabs like paving stones - which accumulate one on top of the other, and which ultimately - overwhelm the runner. The snow usually breaks only a short - distance above the runner, and consequently, in the event of an - accident, search should first be made in that part of the mass - which is highest up the hill. - - Freshly-fallen snow is accordingly quite the most serious danger - of ski-running, and, inasmuch as it usually affords but poor - going, it is seldom worth while venturing far on very steep - ground after a recent fall. After a few days of fine weather, - however, the snow settles down, the avalanches run off, and - what remains becomes firmer and more crystalline in structure. - Under the pressure of its own weight, and owing to the peculiar - property of _regelation_ which solid water possesses, the new - fall attaches itself to the old crusts, and the conditions - become, comparatively speaking, safe. - - It is a common saying amongst the Swiss that it is unsafe to - venture above the tree-line, as long as any snow is left clinging - to the trees on the sunny side of the valleys. This rough test we - have found to be a very useful one.--ED. - -[Illustration: BROAD PEAK, KASHMIR. - -Ski in foreground at a height of 20,000 feet. - -_Photo by Dr. Guillarmod._] - - - - -ODDS AND ENDS. - -BY E. C. RICHARDSON. - - -ANTIDOTES TO “STICKING” AND AIDS TO CLIMBING. - -In warm weather snow is apt to stick to the bottom of the ski (see page -22). It accumulates there in large watery clods, and renders progress -very slow and laborious. Under such circumstances the advice commonly -given is not to go out at all, and unless there is a prospect of better -things, either in the shade or higher up, it is certainly best to stop -at home. Nevertheless, the boundary line between sticking and not -sticking is an extremely narrow one, and, moreover, one is not always -sitting comfortably indoors when the trouble begins. It is therefore -important to consider what is to be done to avoid or cure it. - - * * * * * - -=Waxing the ski= is the simplest plan, and proves effective in the -great majority of cases. It is true that with waxed ski hill-climbing -may become a matter of considerable difficulty, for the wax is apt to -carry matters too far, and to make the surface unduly slippery. But -anything is better than carrying all that dead weight of snow, and by -using only a little wax under the foot (where the sticking chiefly -occurs), by choosing an easy gradient, and by side stepping, &c., one -can generally manage to get along somehow. - -Various kinds of wax are sold for this purpose, and all are more or -less efficacious. There is, however, a difficulty with the solid kinds -in inducing them to “bite” when the ski are cold and wet, and the -writer prefers the semi-liquid variety sold in tubes. A tube of wax, -plus its attendant piece of rag, takes up very little room in the -pocket or rucksack, and its weight is in no way commensurate with that -of the lumps of snow which it is not infrequently its office to prevent. - - * * * * * - -=Sealskin.=--From time immemorial seal’s (or elk’s) skin has been -attached to the bottom of the ski. The hairs, set towards the heel -serve the double purpose of preventing the ski slipping backwards, and -of keeping the surface free from sticky snow. Until quite recently -it has been usual to fix the skin permanently; but whilst this works -fairly well for certain purposes, it is open to many objections. The -hair is a very serious impediment, both down-hill and on the level, for -it not only reduces the speed, but, owing to its inherent “wobbliness,” -it renders steering and balancing much more difficult. Then, again, -the hair soon wears out, a day of hard snow being sufficient to quite -spoil it; or it tears, or, being wet, the weather turns colder and it -freezes solid. But perhaps the most serious objection of all is the -nasty _feeling_ of a skin-clad ski. There is a certain cleanness and -crispness about the movement of the plain wood through the snow which -one learns to love, and which one sorely misses. Besides which there -is much art in getting up-hill to the best advantage on uncovered ski, -and this keeps one’s mind busy, and greatly alleviates the labours -of the climb; whereas with the skin any duffer can get along, and -climbing becomes pure drudgery. It is, however, certain that, given -a long and steep ascent where much zig-zagging is necessary, or even -an only moderately steep slope and hard snow, one can with the skin -arrive far more quickly and easily at the top than without it. It will, -therefore, either when attached permanently or when detachable as about -to be described, be found to be of great value for long and arduous -mountain tours on steep Alpine ground. But even in the Alps, under all -ordinary circumstances, where ski-running, and not the ascent of any -particularly difficult summit, is the object in view, and where it is -of no consequence whether one arrives an hour sooner or later, there is -no sense in encumbering oneself with unnecessary gear and spoiling the -pleasant “feel” of the bare ash. - -On undulating ground, where one can usually go straight up and down -hill (as in most parts of Norway), nobody nowadays dreams of using skin -in any shape or form. - - * * * * * - -=Detachable Sealskin= is quite a recent invention, and is vastly -preferable to the fixed article. For it can be used for a long climb, -and removed when the summit is reached. - -Thus a strip of the material mounted on webbing can be attached to the -bottom of the ski by means of a loop over the point, a strap at the -heel end, and a few transverse straps. But the plan is open to the -objection that the skin is apt to slip about sideways, and that the -fixing of it is troublesome, and takes time. - -The latest method of fixing is that invented by Messrs. Sohm and -Madlener, and is highly recommended by those who have tried it. But it -involves boring two holes through each ski--an unpardonable sacrilege -in the eyes of some people. Surely, however, if we are going to commit -the outrage of using sealskin at all we may just as well be hanged for -a sheep as for a lamb, and bore holes or do anything else which may -assist us in our fell (joke!) design. - - * * * * * - -=The detachable skin of Herren Sohm and Madlener= is sewn on to stout -webbing, and is only about half as long as the ski themselves. It is -attached to the ski immediately in front of the foot, and reaches from -there to the back end. The arrangements for fixing it are extremely -ingenious, and permit of its being attached or removed with great -rapidity. The photographs and drawings (p. 108) show exactly what they -are. - -A hole is bored in the ski just in front of the binding; and another -about halfway between it and the heel end of the ski. Through each of -these holes a bolt passes, the bottom of which is shaped like a flat -sort of button. The bolt sticks up through the ski; and it is threaded -and fitted with a wing-nut. (See Fig. _a_.) When not required the -button is screwed by means of the wing-nut into a recess cut for its -reception in the bottom of the ski. - -The front part of the skin is buttoned to the front bolt, the middle -part to the second bolt, whilst the heel end has a strap sewn on to it -by means of which the whole is first stretched perfectly taut, and then -secured by passing the strap round the heel of the ski, and fixing it -to a catch on the top of the ski. The strap is fitted with eye-holes, -and the catch is of the simple, but ingenious construction shown in -Fig. _b_, and in the photos. - -The front part of the skin, of course, requires protection. This is -afforded by soldering two pieces of sheet brass together so as to form -a sharp tent-shaped =V=. - -[Illustration: FIG. 34.--The Sohm-Madlener Detachable Sealskin. - - (_a_) Bolt with button and wing-nut. Two are needed for each ski. - - (_b_) Catch for securing strap leading from back end of skin. The - photos showing catch half open and shut. - - (_c_) Lower side of front edge of skin, showing sharp brass - entrance. - - (_d_) Upper side of front edge of skin, showing button-hole on - brass entrance. - - (_e_) Lower side of middle of skin, showing rivets for - button-hole. There should be six rivets instead of only four, as - shown. - - (_f_) Upper side of middle of skin, showing button-hole. - -The measurements, when not otherwise stated, are in millimètres.] - -The skin, mounted on its webbing, is placed between the jaws of the =V= -which are then closed and secured by a couple of copper rivets. (See -Figs. _c_ and _d_.) The “button-holes” on the skin are not, of course, -of the ordinary kind. The front one is shown in Fig. _d_. The second -one in Fig. _f_. - -The front “button-hole” is cut out of the upper part of the tent-shaped -brass =V= as shown in Fig. _d_. - -The second “button-hole” (Fig. _f_) allows the button to slide -backwards and forwards in it so as to permit of the skin being pulled -quite taut. This “button-hole” is made by simply cutting a hole and -slot in another piece of sheet brass, and attaching it to the skin by -means of rivets. (See Figs. _e_ and _f_.) N.B.--Only four rivets are -shown in this drawing, but probably it is better to make the slot a -little longer and to add another rivet at each side. - -In fitting this kind of detachable skin to a pair of ordinary ski, it -is probably best to fill up the customary groove cut in the bottom of -the ski. The ski will then be devoted exclusively to steep mountain -work where it is in any case advantageous to dispense with the groove. -(See page 33.) If, however, it is desired to retain the groove it will -be advisable to make the button holes extra strong, or else to make -them up so as to fit close against the wood. - -It will be observed (as was mentioned above) that the skin only covers -about half the under surface of the ski. To prevent snow sticking to -the uncovered part in warm weather, a liberal coating of wax may be -applied, or else (as Herr Sohm advises) the whole of the bottom of the -ski may be painted with smooth and hard enamel. This gives a very fast -surface for running on, and of course no slipping back need be feared -when walking up-hill with the skin attached. - - * * * * * - -=Climbing Irons.=--Herr Sohm recommends the use of climbing irons -invented by him in combination with his detachable skin. The object of -the irons is to prevent slipping on very steep icy slopes. The writer -has had no experience of these, and, as criticism without practical -knowledge is seldom of much value, he prefers to leave the reader -to try them or leave them alone, just as he pleases. This much may, -however, be safely assumed that these appliances (like the skin itself) -can only be of value to the skilled ski mountaineer desirous of making -long and difficult excursions in the high Alps. They are (as Herr -Sohm himself insists) quite unnecessary on ordinary ground, and are -certainly not for the beginner. - -[Illustration: FIG. 35.--Sohm’s Climbing Irons. - -The measurements are in millimètres. See also the photos, page 108.] - -The climbing irons are made of some strong metal unaffected by rust, -and their shape and the method of fixing them in conjunction with the -skin is shown clearly in the accompanying diagrams. - - * * * * * - -=Tying a piece of rope to the bottom of the ski= is resorted to by -some in order to help them to get up-hill. The writer has, however, -never found this to be of much use. It is true that if plenty of rope -is used, and if it is properly fixed (no easy matter by the way), it -largely obviates slipping back; but it also seriously hinders slipping -forwards, and necessitates a lifting or heavy dragging of the ski at -every step. Snow is very apt to stick to the rope, and of course no -glissading with it is possible. The net loss seems therefore to be -greater than the gain, though possibly there may be occasions when the -reader may find something of the sort useful. The plan has at least the -merit of cheapness. - -[Illustration: IN NORDMARKEN, NEAR CHRISTIANIA. - -_Photo by H. Abel._] - - * * * * * - -=Dipping part of the ski into water= is also recommended by some in -order to help climbing, the idea being to form a lump of ice on the -bottom, which may be removed when the summit is reached. But this, -too, is open to much the same objections as the rope, and is scarcely -worth while. If it is to be adopted, it is well to be provided with a -metal paper-knife, or something of the kind, to scrape off the ice, -and, incidentally, it may be here mentioned that some sort of scraping -appliance will always be found useful; for cleaning one’s ski with the -stick or an ordinary knife takes a long time, besides being apt to -injure both the wood and the blade. - - -COMMON FAULTS AND FAILINGS - -(Mostly dealt with already, but repeated here to impress the beginner). - -I.--KIT. - - (1) Too heavy clothes. Woolly clothes. Have light, wind-proof, - smooth materials. - - (2) Tight boots with thin soles. Have large strong boots which - won’t pinch the toes, even with three pairs of socks on, and - which won’t buckle in the middle of the sole. - - (3) Ski brittle, of bad shape, or of great weight. Get some one - who knows good ski to choose for you, or, if this is impossible, - send to a good maker for his best. - - (4) Too short gloves. Have long gloves to draw over the sleeves - of your coat. - -II.--CONDITION OF THE SNOW. - - (1) Abusing the snow. The better the ski-runner the less he - complains, and _vice versâ_. Notice how the good men manage. - - (2) Continuing a tour when danger may be expected. Only - greenhorns and fools do so. Turn back, and try another day. - - (3) Waxing ski when snow is _just_ binding. Best not. The slight - clinging will help you up, and won’t interfere seriously with the - run. Probably, too, it will be colder higher up. - -III.--TECHNIQUE. - - (1) Short waddling steps on the level. Lean forward. Slide. - - (2) Can’t get up hill. Raise front of ski and stamp. Don’t go too - steeply. Go slowly, but keep at it. - - (3) Rushing up in front of others when on tour. Don’t show off. - Probably you are one of the worst of the party; in any case, you - are only annoying the others. - - (4) Side stepping, ski cross. Raise heel of lower ski. (See p. - 60.) - - (5) Can’t start down hill. Be quick about it, and then you can. - - (6) Legs apart and feet level. Keep legs close together and one - foot forward. - - (7) Leaning back on stick. Practise without one. - - (8) Falling inwards when making a down-hill curve. Lean forward! - Throw the weight on to the lower ski. - - (9) Telemark swing. Can’t get round. Raise heel of the back foot. - - (10) Christiania swing. Ski runs off at a tangent. Hold ski - together. Swing on both of them. - - (11) Not learning to turn to both right and left. Don’t keep on - practising that which you can already do. - - (12) Dropping over a jump without sats, or recklessly hurling - yourself over. Both forms of funking. Keep cool and think of your - form. - - (13) Jumping too late. Don’t go quite so fast, and begin to - straighten up earlier. - - (14) General stiffness. Don’t get into any fixed style of - running. Keep on changing your ground and trying new things. - - -SKI-RUNNING ETIQUETTE. - -Introductions are very informal on the snow. - -You may ask anybody for advice, and be certain of receiving a polite -answer, provided that you yourself are polite, and that your question -is not idiotic. - -If you contemplate joining a touring party, you should ask somebody who -is going, and who has already made a tour with you, whether you are -likely to be welcome. If he hesitates, don’t go. If he assents, go by -all means, even though you may be doubtful whether you are up to the -work in hand. - -You should not instantly rush to the assistance of a lady who may have -fallen. Do not let your gallantry get the better of your common sense. - -In Norway ladies put on their own ski, and manage their own bindings, -and it is not good manners to offer to assist them. Would that the -custom extended to Switzerland! - -However amusing your conversation may be, you should refrain from -chattering during a long climb. Not everybody’s wind or everybody’s -temper is perfect. - -You will not add to your popularity on tour by continually accepting -hospitality at the hands of others, especially if your water-bottle be -small, and you carry no repairing outfit. - -You should pay up punctually, and without demur, to the man who -finances a touring party; it is at least ten to one that he is out of -pocket, anyway. - -It is a gross breach of manners to tread on the back of another man’s -ski. You should at once apologise and fall back five yards. - -You should not come plumping over a jump which others have been at -some pains to construct, without first asking their leave, and it is -always your solemn duty to repair as well as possible any damage you -may occasion to the track. - -Unless you are really a very good runner, it is better not to imitate -too closely the Norwegian style of dress. People may be disappointed. - -Always be polite in your dealings with foreigners, and you will seldom -have cause to complain of their want of manners. - - -SOME USEFUL FIGURES. - - 1 inch = ·0254 metres - 1 foot = ·3048 metres - 1 yard = ·9144 metres - 1000 metres = 3280 feet - 1000 feet = 304·8 metres - 1 metre = 39·370 inches[11] - ″ = 3·280 feet - ″ = 1·0933 yards - 1 kilometre = 1093·3 yards - 8 kilometres = 4·969 miles - ″ ″ = 5 miles, less 50 yards - - -FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND AND ITALY. - - £4 = 100 francs - 4- = 5 francs - 1/- = 1·25 francs - 100 francs = 80 /- - 5 francs = 4/- - 1 franc = -/9½ about - - -NORWAY, &C. - - £1 = 18·2 kroner - 1 krone = 1/1¼ about - - -GERMANY. - - £1 = 20·4 marks - 1 mark = -/11¾ about - - -AUSTRIA, &C. - - £1 = { 24 kronen - { 10·2 florins or gulden - 1 krone = -/10 - 1 florin or gulden = 1/11½ - - * * * * * - - 1 kilogramme = 2·2046 pounds avoirdupois. - In trade 1 kilogramme is reckoned 10 per cent. more than 2lb. - 11lb. = 5 kilogrammes. - - * * * * * - - _Temperature falls about_ - - 1° Fahrenheit for every 300ft. rise - or, say, - 1° Cent. for every 200 metres. - - -THERMOMETER. - -_Comparison between Scales of Fahrenheit, Réaumur, and the Centigrade._ - - CENT. FAH’T. RMR. - ° ° ° - 100B. 212B. 80B. - 99 210·2 79·2 - 98 208·4 78·4 - 97 206·6 77·6 - 96 204·8 76·8 - - 95 203 76 - 94 201·2 75·2 - 93 199·4 74·4 - 92 197·6 73·6 - 91 195·8 72·8 - - 90 194 72 - 89 192·2 71·2 - 88 190·4 70·4 - 87 188·6 69·6 - 86 186·8 68·8 - - 85 185 68 - 84 183·2 67·2 - 83 181·4 66·4 - 82 179·6 65·6 - 81 177·8 64·8 - - 80 176 64 - 79 174·2 63·2 - 78 172·4 62·4 - 77 170·6 61·6 - 76 168·8 60·8 - - 75 167 60 - 74 165·2 59·2 - 73 163·4 58·4 - 72 161·6 57·6 - 71 159·8 56·8 - - 70 158 56 - 69 156·2 55·2 - 68 154·4 54·4 - 67 152·6 53·6 - 66 150·8 52·8 - - 65 149 52 - 64 147·2 51·2 - 63 145·4 50·4 - 62 143·6 49·6 - 61 141·8 48·8 - - 60 140 48 - 59 138·2 47·2 - 58 136·4 46·4 - 57 134·6 45·6 - 56 132·8 44·8 - - 55 131 44 - 54 129·2 43·2 - 53 127·4 42·4 - 52 125·6 41·6 - 51 123·8 40·8 - - 50 122 40 - 49 120·2 39·2 - 48 118·4 38·4 - 47 116·8 37·6 - 46 114·8 36·8 - - 45 113 36 - 44 111·2 35·2 - 43 109·4 34·4 - 42 107·6 33·6 - 41 105·8 32·8 - - 40 104 32 - 39 102·2 31·2 - 38 100·4 30·4 - 37 98·6 29·6 - 36 96·8 28·8 - - 35 95 28 - 34 93·2 27·2 - 33 91·4 26·4 - 32 89·6 25·6 - 31 87·8 24·8 - - 30 86 24 - 29 84·2 23·2 - 28 82·4 22·4 - 27 80·6 21·6 - 26 78·8 20·8 - - 25 77 20·0 - 24 75·2 19·2 - 23 73·4 18·4 - 22 71·6 17·6 - 21 69·8 16·8 - - 20 68 16 - 19 66·2 15·2 - 18 64·4 14·4 - 17 62·6 13·6 - 16 60·8 12·8 - - 15 59 12 - 14 57·2 11·2 - 13 55·4 10·4 - 12 53·6 9·6 - 11 51·8 8·8 - - 10 50 8 - 9 48·2 7·2 - 8 46·4 6·4 - 7 44·6 5·6 - 6 42·8 4·8 - - 5 41 4 - 4 39·2 3·2 - 3 37·4 2·4 - 2 35·6 1·6 - 1 33·8 0·8 - - Zero 32 Zero - 1 30·2 0·8 - 2 28·4 1·6 - 3 26·6 2·4 - 4 24·8 3·2 - - 5 23 4 - 6 21·2 4·8 - 7 19·4 5·6 - 8 17·6 6·4 - 9 15·8 7·2 - - 10 14 8 - 11 12·2 8·8 - 12 10·4 9·6 - 13 8·6 10·4 - 14 6·8 11·2 - - 15 5 12 - 16 3·2 12·8 - 17 1·4 13·6 - 18 -- 14·4 - 19 2·2 15·2 - - 20 4 16 - 21 5·8 16·8 - 22 7·6 17·6 - 23 9·4 18·4 - 24 11·2 19·2 - - 25 13 20 - 26 14·8 20·8 - 27 16·6 21·6 - 28 18·4 22·4 - 29 20·2 23·2 - - 30 22 24 - 31 23·8 24·8 - 32 25·6 25·6 - 33 27·4 26·4 - 34 29·2 27·2 - - 35 31 28 - 36 32·8 28·8 - 37 24·6 29·6 - 38 36·4 29·6 - 39 38·2 31·2 - - 40 40 32 - 41 41·8 32·8 - 42 43·6 33·6 - 43 45·4 34·4 - 44 47·2 35·2 - - 45 49 36 - 46 50·8 36·8 - 47 52·6 37·6 - 48 54·4 38·4 - 49 56·2 39·2 - - - - -_Advertisements._ - - - - - =Outfit= FOR EVERY - SPORT. - - - =SKI= from all the best makers in Norway, Germany, Austria, and - Switzerland. - - =FASTENINGS= of every description, including the “Alpine” and the - “Ellefsen.” - - =CLOTHING= of the best quality and design, ready made or to order. - - =BERCOLIN= (in tubes), the best ski-wax, and other lubricants. - - =EVERYTHING= required by ski-runners, mountaineers, tobogganers, - skaters, and tourists. - - * * * * * - - E. DETHLEFFSEN & CO., =BERNE=, CHRISTOFFELGASSE 7. - BERR & CO., ″ ″ =VIENNA=, MARIAHILFER STR. 1C. - H. SGHWAIGER, ″ ″ =MUNICH=, WEIN STR.(RATHAUS). - - _Three Names._ _Three Countries._ _One Quality._ - - - - -_J. Dege & Sons_, - -ESTABLISHED 1865, - -Military and Sporting Tailors and Breeches Makers. - -LEATHERS AND ALL HUNTING SPECIALITIES. - - -Messrs. J. Dege & Sons beg to announce to the readers of this Manual -that they have, after the most careful inquiry as to the requirements -of that most attractive and exciting sport SKI-RUNNING, perfected an -Outfit best suited for the purpose. - -It consists of a Snowproof Suit suitable for the Sport, which at the -same time is porous; and our Special Ski Cap of the same material. - - - Telegraphic Address: Telephone: - HARK FORWARD, LONDON. 6440 GERRARD. - - 13, CONDUIT STREET. - - - - -[Illustration] - -DOWIE & MARSHALL - -MAKE - - “LAUPAR SKO” - MOUNTAINEERING - AND ALL KINDS OF - PRACTICAL AND - COMFORTABLE BOOTS. - -Special lasts are made and reserved exclusively for each customer. - - -New customers who cannot favour D. & M. with a personal interview -should send outlines of their feet taken standing, or a pair of old -boots, as a guide for fitting. - -[Illustration] - -_Illustrated Catalogue Gratis._ - - - DOWIE & MARSHALL, - 455, WEST STRAND, LONDON. - _ESTABLISHED 1824._ - - - - - Sportsmen visiting Norway may procure all - Sporting Requisites - OF - Ludv. TORGERSEN & CO. Ltd., - STORTHINGSGADEN 4, CHRISTIANIA. - - MANUFACTURERS OF - Ice Axes (Norwegian Pattern), Ski and Accessories, - Ski Staffs, Socks, Laupar (Ski) Boots, Mitts, - Lanterns, Coasters, Steering Poles, - Haversacks. - -SELECTED STOCK OF BREECHLOADERS AND RIFLES. - -ELEY’S AMMUNITION. - -Cartridges loaded to order with English Gunpowders and Newcastle -Chilled Shot. - -Large Assortment of FISHING TACKLE suitable for Fishing in Norway. - - -CARL JOHANS GADE 5, CHRISTIANIA. - -LARSENS VAABENFORRETNING. - -[Illustration] - - MANUFACTURERS OF - SKI, - SKATES, - AND - COASTERS - (TOBOGGANS), - -With their accessories of best quality. (The above always kept in -stock.) - -ENGLISH GUNS. - -FISHING RODS and TACKLE. - -Eley’s and Kynoch’s Ammunition. - -Snow Shoes & ‘Ski’ - -Trade-Mark REINDEER HEAD. - -Made out of the toughest German Ash, in accordance with the best -designs and with various bindings (only first-class material used). - -Direct from the Factory. - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: Schutz-Marke.] - - -JOSEPH FISCHER, - -Freiburg i. B. - -[Illustration: The “Davos” Model High Form, Pattern “E,” Mounting “L,” -Length 90 c.m.] - -[Illustration: The “Davos” Model, Low Form, Pattern “PP,” Mounting “M,” -Length 90 c.m.] - -SNOW-SHOE AND TOBOGGAN FACTORY. - -Wood bent by Steam on the Premises--A speciality for the last 15 years. - -RETAILERS RECEIVE A SUITABLE DISCOUNT. - -Goods supplied to the German South-pole Expedition, to Home and -Continental Military Authorities, and to Post and Forest Officials. - -MY GOODS BEAR, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, THE ABOVE TRADE-MARK (REINDEER HEAD). - - - - -L. H. HAGEN & CO., - -KIRKEGADEN 19, CHRISTIANIA, NORWAY. - -[Illustration] - -_Largest Assortment of Firearms and Sporting Requisites in Scandinavia._ - - =SKI=, of various patterns, have all been awarded Gold Medals. - - =FASTENINGS=, which have obtained the highest possible awards. - - =SKI OUTFITS=, and all requisites connected with Ski-ing, - supplied. - -=SKATES=, of Hagen’s celebrated and universally known pattern. - -COASTERS, TOBOGGANS, SLEDS. - -_Awarded Eleven Gold Medals. Two Grand Prix._ - -[Illustration] - -L. H. HAGEN & Co. - - - - -TH. HANSEN, - -SKI MANUFACTURER. - -HAMMERSTADG, 5. Telephone, 8589 CHRISTIANIA. - - -Ski of his own pattern: Awarded 1st prize. Exporter of Ash and Hickory -Ski (varnished or coloured). Ski of best quality always in stock. Maker -of the well-known, highly recommended Wax “Record,” to preserve the ski -and prevent balling. - - - - -ASCHEHOUGS BOGHANDEL, - -BOOKSELLER. - -English and Foreign Books, Magazines, Periodicals, and Journals. - -43, CARL JOHANS GADE, CHRISTIANIA. - - - - -[Illustration] - -THE SWISS SKI. - -Made by - -RICHARD STAUB, ZURICH. - -_TRADE MARK._ - -[Illustration: MARKE Tödi - -MARQUE DÉPOSÉE] - -_TRADE MARK._ - -THE SKI are light and elastic, and are made from the celebrated Swiss -mountain ash. - -=THE SKI= are fitted with either “Ellefsen’s,” or “Huitfeidt’s.” or the -“Model C driving belt” bindings. - -_Maker of the original Davos Toboggan, Bandy (ice-hockey) Clubs, &c._ - - -_=LONDON DEPOT=_: With Messrs. A. W. GAMAGE, - - HOLBORN. - - - - -W. C. MÖLLER, - -DRAMMEN, NORWAY, - -_FURRIER and MANUFACTURER of REINDEER HAIR LIFEBUOYS for YACHTS_. - -CONTRACTOR TO POLAR EXPEDITIONS. - - -_EQUIPPED_ - - The National Antarctic Expedition. - Duke of Abruzzi’s, The, Arctic Expedition. - Ziegler’s Arctic Expedition. - Baron Toll’s Arctic Expedition. - Drygalski’s Antarctic Expedition. - Argentine Government’s Antarctic Expedition. - &c., &c. - - -_SUPPLIES_ - -Ski-Boots, Socks, Finn Mocassins, Fur Gloves, Leather Jackets, Sleeping -Bags, and every kind of Fur Clothing and Requisite for Winter wear, or -travelling in cold climates. - -AWARDED 6 GOLD and 2 SILVER MEDALS. - - - - -THE AUSTRIAN ALPS FOR THE WINTER MONTHS. - - =Skating=, =Tobogganing=, =Ski-ing=, =Sleighing=, in short every - winter sport, _par excellence_. - - =Innsbruck.= Seat of an English colony. Headquarters of winter - sports. Climate highly recommended by the medical profession. - - =Kitzbuehel.= Renowned winter resort. - - =St. Anton= (Arlberg). Excellent Ski-ing centre. - - =Gossensass.= Every Winter sport. - - =Cortina d’Ampezzo.= Eminently suitable for winter sojourn. - - =The Semmering=, near Vienna. Highly recommended for winter - sports. - - =Meran.= The pearl of Austrian health resorts. - - =Salzburg.= Capital and Dukedom. Excellently suited for the - winter. - - =Bozen-Gries=, =Trent=, =Rovereto=, =Arco=, =Riva=, &c. Excellent - places for winter sojourn. - - =WINTER TOURS TO THE AUSTRIAN ALPS.= For particulars and - pamphlets (free) write or call:-- - - - THE AUSTRIAN TRAVEL & INFORMATION BUREAU, - 86, PICCADILLY, LONDON, W. - - - - -WILSON LINE. - -WINTER SPORTS IN NORWAY. - -REDUCED WINTER FARES. - -(From 1st October, 1905 to 30th April, 1906.) - - - FROM =HULL= TO - =CHRISTIANSAND=. - . AND . - =CHRISTIANIA=. - - First-class, Single £3 3s. 0d. - ” Return £5 5s. 0d. - Second-class, Single £2 10s. 0d. - ” Return £4 0s. 0d. - Victualling included. - - -_Intended Sailings_... - - From HULL every FRIDAY evening. - - From CHRISTIANIA every FRIDAY, 10 a.m., calling at CHRISTIANSAND - Friday night. - - _For further information apply to_ - - Messrs. The UNITED SHIPPING Co., Ltd., 108, Fenchurch Street, - LONDON, E.C. - - Messrs. T. COOK & SON, Ludgate Circus, LONDON, E.C. or to - - Messrs. THOS. WILSON, SONS, & Co., Ltd. HULL. - - - - - BEFORE PURCHASING SOUVENIRS - BE SURE TO VISIT - BENNETT’S - Photograph and Curiosity Stores. - - Unrivalled Stock of Photos, Silver, Fancy Articles, - Guide Books, Maps, Books on Norway, Tauchnitz - Edition, &c. - - TRAVELLING AND HOTEL COUPONS ISSUED. - - Every Information furnished relative to Travelling in Norway. Money - Exchanged. - - THOS. BENNETT &. SONS, - CARL JOHANS GADE 35, CHRISTIANIA. - _By Special Appointment, Dealers to Her Majesty Queen Alexandra._ - - - - -WILLIAM SCHMIDT, - - 41, CARL JOHANS GADE, - CHRISTIANIA. - -GENTLEMEN’S OUTFITTERS. - - - - - SPORTING . REQUISITES . AND . CLOTHING. - - H. HORN & Co. - Egertorvet, - CHRISTIANIA. - - GENTLEMEN’S OUTFITTERS. - - - - -=GRAN HOTEL=, BOLKESJÖ, NORWAY. - -Proprietor, M. HAFSTEN. - -First-class accommodation. Moderate terms. - - -Beautifully situated in Telemarken. Most suitable quarters for Ski-ing -and Winter Sports. Eight hours from Christiania--rail to Kongsberg, -drive thence to Bolkesjö. Telephonic communication with all parts. -Highly recommended. - - - - - CHAMONIX. - - WINTER SEASON. - - _The Electric Railway from Le Fayet St. Gervais - to Chamonix is now running the whole year round._ - - GRAND HOTEL PENSION. - - COUTTET et du PARC. - - SKI-RUNNING, - SKATING, - TOBOGGANING. - - EXTENSIVE ICE RINK IN SUNNY POSITION. - - _All small Mountain Excursions may be made - in Winter._ - - CENTRAL HEATING, ELECTRIC LIGHT. - - -M. COUTTET, who is himself an enthusiastic Ski-Runner, and has ascended -in Winter on Ski the Col du Geant, 11,056ft., the Col du Midi, -11,700ft., and traversed from Chamonix to Zermatt by the High Level -Route, &c., is able to give all information concerning the district. - - -For full particulars apply to the Proprietors, - - COUTTET BROTHERS, - Hotel Couttet, - Chamonix, France. - - - - - CAUX, ABOVE TERRITET, MONTREUX. - Lake of Geneva, Switzerland. - - CAUX PALACE & GRAND HOTEL. - - Splendid position, with magnificent view of - the Alps. Central, full south. - - _HEATED THROUGHOUT BY STEAM._ - - Concert three times a day. Grand Balls. - Magnificent Hall. - - One of the finest Hotels, With first-rate - Cuisine. - - - - -GRINDELWALD. - -HOTELS BEAR AND ADLER. - -WINTER SPORTS: - - SKI-RUNNING, SKATING, - TOBOGGANING, CURLING. - -BOSS BROTHERS, Proprietors. - - - - -DAVOS PLATZ. - - -GRAND HOTEL BELVEDERE - -IS - - The best Hotel for Ski Runners, and the headquarters of the Davos - English Ski Club. - - -GRAND HOTEL BELVEDERE - -HAS - - Baths on every floor, and the most modern recently installed - sanitary arrangements. - - -GRAND HOTEL BELVEDERE - -IS - - Close to the big Skating Rink, Where the International Skating - Competitions are held. - - -GRAND HOTEL BELVEDERE - -HAS - - Electric light throughout, private spring water supply, central - heating, and a rational and well varied cuisine. - - -GRAND HOTEL BELVEDERE - -IS - - Close to the Schatz Alp Cable Railway, which takes passengers up - 1000 feet in a few minutes. - - -GRAND HOTEL BELVEDERE - -HAS - - A large Ball Room, where balls, dances, orchestral concerts, &c., - are given throughout the winter season. - - - GRAND HOTEL BELVEDERE - IS - THE BEST HOTEL IN - DAVOS PLATZ. - - - - - AUSTRIAN TIROL, - KITZBÜHEL - - (_Two hours beyond Innsbruck_). - - PENSION SCHLOSS LEBENBERG. - - UNDER ENGLISH MANAGEMENT. - OPEN ALL THE YEAR. EXCELLENT CUISINE. - EVERY COMFORT. - - As a Ski-ing Centre KITZBÜHEL - _STANDS UNRIVALLED_. - - -Owing to the formation of the slopes, Kitzbühel has been pronounced by -experts to be one of the finest Ski-ing grounds in Europe. - -The position of Lebenberg enables Visitors to start in any direction -from the Schloss. - -The Climate of Kitzbühel is noted for the absence of wind and the -amount of sunshine. It is therefore - - -AN IDEAL WINTER RESORT. - -Tobogganing and Skating can also be indulged in. - -Sleigh races and Ski-ing competitions are held yearly. - - -_For Illustrated Prospectus and further particulars apply to the -Proprietor_, - -_PENSION SCHLOSS LEBENBERG_, - -KITZBÜHEL, AUSTRIAN TIROL. - - - - -5,000 FEET ABOVE THE SEA. - -_Feldberg_ in the _Black Forest_. - -Nearest and most favourable Ski-ing ground for England. - -Railway Station: TITISEE, via FREIBURG, BADEN. - -HOTEL FELDBERGER HOF. - - -The Hotel contains 150 Rooms, with 200 beds, and has two annexes--The -Jaegermattte, with 25 rooms and 40 beds, and the Turm Hotel, with 28 -rooms and 48 beds. - - -SPLENDID SKI-ING COUNTRY. - -The Hotel has been greatly enlarged and contains every modern -comfort, including electric light, central heating throughout, lift, -billiard-room, skittle-alley, beer-room, drying-rooms, store-room for -ski, two baths in every storey, and suites of rooms. - -Pension Prices for a six days’ stay. - -Tobogganing road to Titisee. - - -Post and Telegraph Office on the Premises. Telegraphic Address: -“Feldberg, Schwarzwald.” - - - Proprietors: - MAYER AND SCHLADERER. - - - - - _CURHAUS-DAVOS_, - DAVOS-PLATZ, - SWITZERLAND. - - INTERNATIONAL HOTEL. - - _Board and Lodging for 8 shillings and upwards._ - - ALPINE SPORT. - - SKI-ING, TOBOGGANING, SKATING. - - _DAVOS DORF, SWITZERLAND, - FLUELA POST AND SPORT HOTEL._ - - Exclusively reserved for Sportsmen - and through Travellers. - - NO ACCOMMODATION FOR INVALIDS. - - PROSPECTUS WITH TERMS ON APPLICATION. - =A. GREDIG SON=, _Proprietor_. - - - - -“SKI” & “ALPINER WINTERSPORT” - -Edited by H. A. TANNER, Basle, Switzerland. - - - “=SKI.=”--The illustrated official organ of all the Ski Clubs in - Central Europe. Correspondence from all parts of the world. - - “=ALPINER WINTERSPORT.=”--A journal dealing with all Winter - Sports. Published in English, French, German, and Italian, and - read by members of the various English colonies on the Continent. - English correspondence is always welcome. - - =BOTH PAPERS= are forwarded together, and may be obtained through - every Bookseller and Post-Office; or from the Editor in Basle. - - - - - LIGHT AND FIRM. - - Ellefsen’s Binding - - SIMPLE AND STRONG. - - - - -NORWEGIAN WINTER SPORTS. - - -Direct, convenient, and economical route from England to =Christiania= -(the centre for all Norwegian winter sports) by the magnificent Mail -and Passenger Steamers - - -“=Sovereign=” and “=Sterling=,” - -sailing from =Newcastle= (Tyne Dock) every Friday evening. Fare £3 3s. -0d. single or £5 5s. 0d. return, inclusive of victualling. - - - FOR FURTHER PARTICULARS APPLY TO THE AGENTS:-- - P. H. MATTHIESSEN & CO., NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE. - _Telegraphic Address: “Matthiessen.”_ - - - - -SHEW CAMERAS. - -[Illustration] - - -- THE -TELE-XIT. - -A Half-plate Camera which can be carried without fatigue, opened -without complications, closed as a =box, measures only 8 by 5 by 2 -ins.=, and perfectly rigid at full extension. - -[Illustration] - - The Pocket XIT. 4¼ by 3¼ ins. from £6 6s. - - “For SIMPLICITY, LIGHTNESS, and RANGE OF SUBJECTS for which it - can be used, I think the XIT cannot be beaten.” - - SEE NEW LIST FOR 1906 FREE OF:-- - - =J. F. SHEW & Co.=, Manufacturers and Patentees - of Specialities in Photographic - Appliances. - =NEWMAN ST.=, 4 Doors off Oxford St., =LONDON, W.= - - - - -FOOTNOTES: - -[Footnote 1: _Ski_ is really the same word as the English _skid_, -meaning a slide, or something to slide upon, the affinity being even -greater in the Swedish term _skid_ (plural, _skidor_), meaning slides -or skates. Originally it doubtless springs from the Finnish _subsi_ or -_suksi_, by which appellation the ski were probably known long before -their introduction to Scandinavia.] - -[Footnote 2: “W.T.,” _T.P.’s Weekly_, p. 226, Feb., 1904.] - -[Footnote 3: Scandinavian _skrïde_ = to slide, glide, slip.] - -[Footnote 4: The names of the best known of these Telemarkings were, -Knut Olafsen Haugen, Aasmund Brække, Sveinung Svalastoga, and the -“Hemmestvedt gutter” (Torjus and Mikkel Hemmestvedt).--ED.] - -[Footnote 5: Probably also on most of our own mountains.] - -[Footnote 6: To judge by the number of utterly foolish bindings on the -market, this is a point which usually escapes the inventor-novice.] - -[Footnote 7: Look at the frontispiece for an example of first-class -level-running.] - -[Footnote 8: In competitions the jump is measured from the point where -the runner leaves the ground to the middle of the deepest part of the -impression which his ski make on alighting.] - -[Footnote 9: The ski which are suitable for ordinary excursions on -undulating ground are not necessarily equally useful for long mountain -climbs. In the one case ski-running pure and simple is the object in -view, in the other the ski are merely a means to an end--the ascent -of some difficult summit or pass. Some remarks as to the kind of -instrument which may be found serviceable for the latter purpose are to -be found at p. 34, and in the chapter on “Aids to Climbing.”--ED.] - -[Footnote 10: This, perhaps, scarcely goes far enough. The outfit -suitable for undulating wooded ground on which a runner may attain -to great skill is not equally serviceable high up. In particular, a -cap covering most of the face and neck, smoked glasses or the simple -arrangement described on p. 50, a light wind-jacket of some sort, -extra-thick gloves, extra-thick socks, and extra-stout nailed boots -are essential. The runner should accustom himself to carrying a large -heavy rucksack, which is a disagreeable, but, alas! an indispensable, -companion on a long mountain tour.--ED.] - -[Footnote 11: The exact figures are not as yet settled, and are -given--39·37043196 39·37079, 39·37008, &c.] - - -[Transcriber’s Note: - -The Contents reference to “Side stepping ... Page 69” erroneously -refers to “SIDE-SLIPPING” on Page 69. - -Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation are as in the original.] - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Ski-running, by -David M. M. Chrichton Somerville and Willi Rickmer Rickmers and Ernest Cushing Richardson - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SKI-RUNNING *** - -***** This file should be named 55472-0.txt or 55472-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/4/7/55472/ - -Produced by Anita Hammond, Wayne Hammond and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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