Sure-footedness

Last updated
Sign in German stating that sure-footedness (Trittsicherheit) is needed on this hiking trail Trittsicherheit.JPG
Sign in German stating that sure-footedness (Trittsicherheit) is needed on this hiking trail

Sure-footedness is the ability, especially when hiking or mountain climbing, to navigate difficult or rough terrain safely. Such situations place demands on a person's coordination and reserves of strength as well as requiring sufficient appreciation of the terrain. A person who is sure-footed is thus unlikely to slip or stumble, [1] and will have a good head for heights when required.

Contents

On many hiking trails and mountain tours, sure-footedness is assumed to be a prerequisite without ever being defined. The term is frequently used in the literature presumably to ensure that the reader is made sufficiently aware that, under certain circumstances, one false step may lead to serious consequences. [2]

Required attributes

Although there is no standard definition of sure-footedness, [2] the following attributes generally apply:

Limitation

A crossing of the west flank of the Heiligkreuzkofel in the South Tyrol requires sure-footedness in several places HeiligkreuzkofelTraverse.jpg
A crossing of the west flank of the Heiligkreuzkofel in the South Tyrol requires sure-footedness in several places

The requirement for sure-footedness is usually only mentioned when speaking about routes on which no climbing ability is required, such as Class A routes where the terrain is gentle to steeply sloping and usually rocky, but mostly negotiable without protection or safety equipment. [3]

It is not necessarily the case that someone with climbing experience is automatically sure-footed, particularly in an era of rock gyms, where technical climbing skill can be acquired entirely indoors.

The concept of sure-footedness is inextricably related to having a head for heights, as someone can be said to be generally sure-footed on modest, unexposed terrain, but cannot be so described if they cannot retain the capacity at heights.

Training

Sure-footedness is primarily a natural attribute, influenced to high degrees by age, health, and physical fitness. But it can, to a certain extent, be acquired through training. [4]

It can be enhanced regardless of inborn level by regular activity in steep, rough terrain. While helpful with balance, hiking sticks can impede the ability to develop sure-footedness on its own.

This is not to say that they cannot be helpful to hikers, particularly elder ones, in compensating for a lack of balance on hazardous or uneven ground, in moderately exposed areas, and in hiking or downclimbing grades.

In animals

Alpine ibex standing on cliff in winter. AlpineIbex.jpg
Alpine ibex standing on cliff in winter.

The term sure-footedness is also used to describe animals that routinely navigate difficult terrain, such as mountain goats. [5] Domesticated yaks are used on climbing and trekking expeditions in the Himalayas for their sure-footed ability as pack animals. [6] Donkeys, mules, and certain breeds of horses are also noted for their sure-footedness. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountaineering</span> Sport of mountain climbing

Mountaineering, mountain climbing, or alpinism is a set of outdoor activities that involves ascending mountains. Mountaineering-related activities include traditional outdoor climbing, skiing, and traversing via ferratas that have become sports in their own right. Indoor climbing, sport climbing, and bouldering are also considered variants of mountaineering by some, but are part of a wide group of mountain sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trail riding</span> Traveling on trails and forest roads by horse, bicycle, motorcycle, or all-terrain vehicle

Trail riding is riding outdoors on trails, bridle paths, and forest roads, but not on roads regularly used by motorised traffic. A trail ride can be of any length, including a long distance, multi-day trip. It originated with horse riding, and in North America, the equestrian form is usually called "trail riding," or, less often "hacking." In the UK and Europe, the practice is usually called horse or pony trekking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scrambling</span> Walk up steep terrain involving the use of ones hands

Scrambling is a mountaineering term for ascending steep terrain using one's hands to assist in holds and balance. "A scramble" is a related term, denoting terrain that could be ascended in this way. It can be described as being between hiking and rock climbing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain goat</span> Species of mammal

The mountain goat, also known as the Rocky Mountain goat, is a cloven-footed mammal that is endemic to the remote and rugged mountainous areas of western North America. A subalpine to truly alpine species, it is a sure-footed climber commonly seen on sheer rock faces, near-vertical cliffs and icy passages. Mountain goats generally avoid venturing down into lower elevations—except during seasonal food shortages or during particularly bad weather—as the extreme elevation which they inhabit is their primary defense against predators such as black and brown bears, pumas and wolves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hiking boot</span> Sturdy footwear for outdoor activities

Hiking (walking) boots are footwear specifically designed for protecting the feet and ankles during outdoor walking activities such as hiking. They are one of the most important items of hiking gear since their quality and durability can determine a hiker's ability to walk long distances without injury. Hiking boots are constructed to provide comfort for walking considerable distances over rough terrain. Boots that protect the hiker's feet and heel are recommended. Hiking boots give ankle support and are fairly stiff. A less popular alternative is to use light trainers with thin soles. Footwear should be neither too loose nor too tight, to help prevent blisters and sore feet. Hiking socks that wick sweat from the feet, provide warmth, and cushion the feet are recommended and a thin, inner sock may also help. Most hiking boots are also designed for other outdoor activities such as backpacking, climbing, mountaineering, and hunting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teufelshörner</span>

The Teufelshörner are a pair of mountains on the German-Austrian border in the Berchtesgaden Alps. The two peaks, which form a mountain ridge, are the Großes Teufelshorn and the Kleines Teufelshorn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salober</span>

The Salober ist a 2,088 -high grass mountain in the Allgäu Alps. It lies northeast of the Laufbacher Eck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stadelhorn</span>

The Stadelhorn (2,286 m) is the highest and most prominent peak in the Reiter Alm on the Austro-German border, lying on the boundary between the states of Bavaria and Salzburg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lärchegg</span>

The Lärchegg is a 2,123-metre-high (6,965 ft) mountain in the Kaisergebirge range of the Northern Limestone Alps in Austria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schrofen</span> German mountaineering term

Schrofen, a German mountaineering term, is steep terrain, strewn with rocks and rock outcrops, that is laborious to cross, but whose rock ledges (schrofen) offer many good steps and hand holds. It is usually rocky terrain on which grass has established itself, but it can also refer to purely rocky slopes. Schrofen are found especially where the rock has broken off against its angle of dip.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonneck</span>

The Sonneck is a 2,260-metre-high (7,410 ft) mountain in the Kaisergebirge range of the Northern Limestone Alps in Austria. On its broad peak stands a solid summit cross, the panorama is comprehensive and there are particularly good views of the Ellmauer Halt, the highest mountain in the range, the Treffauer and Lake Hinterstein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treffauer</span>

At 2,304 metres (7,559 ft), the Treffauer is the third highest mountain in the Kaisergebirge range of the Alps. It lies in the Austrian state of Tyrol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steinbergstein</span>

The Steinbergstein is a mountain, 2,215 m (AA) (7,267 ft) high, in the Kitzbühel Alps in Austria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brechhorn</span>

The Brechhorn is a 2,032 m above sea level (AA) high mountain in the Kitzbühel Alps in Austria. It lies between the valleys of the Aschauer Ache and the Windau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpine route</span> Difficult pass through mountain terrain

An alpine route or high alpine route is a trail or climbing route through difficult terrain in high mountains such as the Alps, sometimes with no obvious path. In the Alps, the various alpine clubs define and mark an alpine route, also called alpinweg or alpinwanderweg. More generally, the term is used for routes of crossing the Alps, such as Roman crossings and Napoleon crossing the Alps. It is also used to describe routes in other mountains with alpine conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exposure (heights)</span> Climbing and hiking term

Exposure is a climbing and hiking term. Sections of a hiking path or climbing route are described as "exposed" if there is a high risk of injury in the event of a fall because of the steepness of the terrain. If such routes are negotiated without any protection, a false step can result in a serious fall. The negotiation of such routes can cause fear of falling because of the potential danger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">High mountain tour</span> Multi-day hiking at high altitudes

A high mountain tour is usually multi-day hiking and scrambling that takes place in the higher-altitude zone that is covered by ice all year round, the nival zone. High mountain tours require special additional preparation and equipment to the standard hiking and scrambling requirements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noppenspitze</span> Mountain in Austria

The Noppenspitze is a rocky summit, 2,594 metres high, in the central part of the Hornbach chain of the Allgäu Alps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geierköpfe</span>

The Geierköpfe form a triple-summited mountain massif in the Ammergau Alps in Tyrol, Austria. The main summit is 2,161 m (AA) high, the West Top 2,143 m high and the East Top 2,060 m. The summit group is located southwest of the Ammer Saddle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zettenkaiser</span>

The Zettenkaiser is a 1,968 m high mountain with a summit cross in the Kaiser Mountains (Kaisergebirge) in the Northern Limestone Alps in Austria. It rises to the west of the almost 150-metre-higher Scheffauer, from which it is separated by a col. It is one of the more rarely visited summits in the Kaiser. There are great views south to the main chain of the Alps, north to the Zahmer Kaiser and west into the Inn Valley; to the east at the foot of the summit is the rock needle known as the Kaindlnadel and then the mighty Scheffauer.

References

  1. Soanes, Catherine and Stevenson, Angus (ed.) (2005). Oxford Dictionary of English, 2nd Ed., revised, Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York, p. 1775. ISBN   978-0-19-861057-1.
  2. 1 2 3 "Was ist Trittsicherheit?" by Csaba Szepfalusi, Edelweiss Zeitung, Issue 4, 2003, pp 6-7 at www.oeav-events.at. Retrieved 1 Jun 2014.
  3. Kategorien Klettersteige at trekkingguide.de. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  4. Was ist Trittsicherheit? at akademie.alpinewelten.com. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  5. Tennenhouse, Erica. "How Mountain Goats Ascend Nearly Vertical Cliffs". The Science Explorer. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  6. Golden Book Encyclopedia, Vol. 16 p. 1505b. Rockefeller Center, NY: Golden Press (1959)
  7. Belknap, Maria (2004). Horsewords : the equine dictionary. North Pomfret, Vt.: Trafalgar Square. ISBN   1-57076-274-0. OCLC   57733998.

Literature