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Herringbone.—Chief fault of the herringbone for the tourer is its inefficiency: the position, being unnatural, calls for an unordinary use of muscles; skis must be lifted too far; a track must be packed for the entire length of the ski with each step; traction is often uncertain. A deliberate herringbone, executed with rhythm, is nevertheless necessary for some short bits of climbing. For traverses the half-herringbone is useful. Both skis are edged into the hill. The lower ski half side-steps, half traverses up the hill, at the highest angle at which it will hold. The upper ski slides ahead at a slightly higher angle. The grade of ascent is thus steeper than a simple traverse would permit. The upper ski will hold while the lower is picked up and placed higher. It would not hold if the lower ski were slid ahead in a parallel track. |
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