,,ski-,,running4 ,,by ,d4 ,m4 ,m4 ,,chrichton ,,somerville1 ,w4 ,r4 ,,rickmers1 ,,and ,e4 ,c4 ,,richardson4 ,,dedicated ,,to ,,the ,,ski ,,club ,,of ,,great ,,britain4 ,,edited ,,by ,e4 ,c4 ,,richardson4 ,,with ,,numerous ,,photographs ,,and ,,diagrams4 ,,second ,,edition4 ,,london3 ,,horace ,,cox1 ,,windsor ,,house1 ,,bream',s ,,buildings1 ,e4,c4 #aije4 ,,london3 ,,printed ,,by ,,horace ,,cox1 ,,windsor ,,house1 ,,bream',s ,,buildings1 ,e4,c4 ,illustration3 8,,paa ,,skare40 ,,preface4 ,since the first edition of this book was produced two years ago popular interest in the sport has increased by leaps and bounds4 ,we have endeavoured to keep pace with the times1 and the present volume is an attempt to give a really complete account of the sport1 which will be useful to beginners and experts alike4 ,to the historical part has been added a chapter on ,continental ski-running1 whilst the technical part has been remodelled1 enlarged1 and1 we trust1 rendered more lucid and complete4 ,wherever necessary new diagrams have been added1 and the whole-page illustrations have been chosen with a view to indicating the great beauty and variety of the snow regions of the earth4 ,here and there actual alterations of views previously expressed will be found4 ,we make no apology for these1 but desire frankly to acknowledge our errors1 and to thank those friendly critics who have pointed them out4 ,with ignorant criticism we have been very little troubled1 and with actual hostility simply not at all4 ,we are further greatly indebted to the many friends who have rendered us positive assistance4 ,the frontispiece is from ,herr ,halstrm's wonderful picture 8,paa ,skare10 which that gentleman has given us unqualified leave to reproduce4 ,the ski-runner which it depicts also serves as a central figure for the cover1 designed by ,mr4 ,nico ,jungman4 ,to those who have kindly permitted us to copy their photographs we hereby take the opportunity of expressing our best thanks4 ,the outline of the ,solberg ,hill is from an accurate drawing by ,herr ,von de ,beauclair published in ,ski1 to the editor of which paper we are also indebted for the drawings illustrating ,herr ,sohm's detachable seal's-skin and climbing-irons4 ,to ,herr ,s4 ,hyer-,ellefsen1 ,herr ,fredrik ,juell1 ,herr ,trygve ,smith1 ,herr ,durban ,hansen1 and numerous other skilful ,norwegian runners we are grateful for many a useful hint and word of advice1 whilst we owe to ,herr ,zdarsky a valuable practical demonstration of his methods of teaching4 ,messrs4 ,c4 ,w4 ,richardson1 ,e4 ,h4 ,wroughton1 and ,h4 ,p4 ,cox have been kind enough to help with the actual production of the little work1 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 thanks4 ,e4 ,c4 ,r4 ,november1 #aije4 ,,contents4 ,pages4 ,,preface iii-iv ,,the ,,origin ,,and ,,history ,,of ,,ski #a-ac ,,continental ,,ski-,,running #ac-ag ,,the ,,elements ,,of ,,ski-,,running #ah-he ,introduction #ah-bj ,part ,i4--,the ,ground and the ,snow #bj-bg ,part ,,ii4--,outfit #bh-eb ,the ,ski #bh-ce ,the ,binding #ce-dc ,footplates #dd ,the ,stick #dd-dg ,footgear #dg-di ,other ,clothes #di-ej ,accessories #ej-ea ,part ,,iii4--,technical #eb-he ,preliminary advice #eb-ec ,lean forward6 #ec ,to lift the point of the ski #ec-ee ,turning on the spot #ee ,walking with ski on the level #ee ,up-hill #ef-fa ,gliding down #fa-fe ,falling and getting up #fe ,slight changes of direction #fe 8,skating0 #ff ,braking with the stick #ff-fh ,snow-ploughing #fh-fi ,side stepping #fi ,stemming #fi-gb ,to make a down-hill curve #gb-gg ,the 8,telemark0 ,swing #gh-hb ,the 8,christiania0 ,swing #hb-he ,,jumping #hf-ih ,how to select and prepare the hill #ij-ib ,how to jump #ib-ih ,,ski ,,mountaineering #ii-ajd ,,odds ,,and ,,ends #aje-aaf ,antidotes to ,sticking1 c4 #aje-aaa ,common ,faults and ,failings #aaa-aac ,ski-running ,etiquette #aac-aad ,some ,useful ,figures #aae-aaf ,,the ,,year-,,book ,,of ,,the ,,ski ,,club ,,of ,,great ,,britain ,,contains ,articles by ,practical ,men about ,ski-running ,centres in ,,great ,,britain1 ,,norway1 ,,germany1 ,,switzerland1 ,,austria1 ,,etc41 ,,etc4 ,as well as a great deal of other interesting and useful information about the ,sport4 ,the book is edited by ,e4 ,h4 ,,wroughton1 and is published for the ,club by ,horace ,cox1 ,bream's ,buildings1 ,london1 ,e4,c4 ,,price ,,one ,,shilling4 ,,the ,,origin ,,and ,,history ,,of ,,ski4 ,by ,d4 ,m4 ,m4 ,,crichton ,,somerville4 ,there are many people to whom the word 8ski0 must be an enigma1 and everything connected with the pastime 8ski-ing0 as a sealed book4 ,the object of the present treatise is1 therefore1 to solve the puzzle1 open the pages of the closed volume1 and thus throw light on a sport which1 when once learnt1 will be found more attractive1 healthy1 and invigorating than any other winter exercise1 provided1 of course1 that it be not carried on 7as often is the case7 to excess1 but is indulged in only by those who are sound of wind and limb4 ,for the sake of the uninitiated1 it may be explained that ski 7pronounced she7 is a word of foreign origin1 which1 up to comparatively recent years1 has been translated 8snowshoe10 a term which conveys a wrong idea of the appliances in question1 even supposing it might be more fitly given to the forerunners of the ski1 viz41 pattens formed of withes or wood1 which are used in many parts at the present day1 and of which the ,indian or ,canadian snowshoe is a modified type1 and best known to ,british sportsmen4#a ,the ski1 however1 are of different construction1 being formed of narrow boards1 #g;ft4 and more in length1 upturned at the toe to allow of their being shoved or slid over the snow1 when attached to the feet of the wearer4 ,with the exception of snow skates 7iron shod runners some #b;ft4 in length1 for use on roadways and hard surfaces7 they are the only kind of foot gear used for the purpose of gliding on snow1 and possess many advantages over other snowshoes1 not the least being their capability of being used for pleasure1 as well as the necessary outdoor pursuits of daily life4 ,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 globe1 where communication can nearly always be kept open by rail1 steamboat1 or other means2 notwithstanding that they are1 and have been used from time immemorial during many months of the year by a large portion of the population of ,northern and ,central ,asia1 ,russia1 ,scandinavia1 and even the southern parts of ,eastern ,europe1 where the winters are severe4 ,casual allusions to them in the writings of some few sporting authors did not suffice to bring the ski into other than mere passing notice2 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 locomotion1 or keeping open communication in lands and districts where snows are deep1 and highways lie buried or are unknown4 ,it may be of interest to mention here that1 in remote parts of ,england1 ski appear to have been employed so late even as the middle of the past century1 their use being discontinued as communication with the outer world became easier4 ,thus1 apart from information derived from other sources respecting finds of ski1 or their remains in various parts1 one gentleman1 writing from ,cumberland in ,february1 #aijd1 states that1 in the dales of ,yorkshire and ,durham1 the sport is by no means new1 and that forty years ago he went to his school on 8skees10 which were made of beech wood1 some #e;ft4 in length1 with 8nibs0 about #c;in41 and that it was no uncommon practice in those days for the ,weardale miners to go to and from their work on such snowshoes1 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 train4 ,the writer also adds that1 amongst the youths1 skee-jumping was a favourite pastime1 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 8skees0 once owned by their grand-fathers4#b ,to judge from the description given by the author of 8,lorna ,doone10 a form of ski was1 probably1 known in ,devonshire some #cjj years ago1 where also sledges were employed throughout the entire year instead of wheeled vehicles for carting in farm products4 ,in the story he relates how when1 during the great frost of #afbe1 ,john ,ridd was told that1 in the ,arctic regions1 any man might get along with a 8boat0 on either foot to prevent his sinking in the snow--such 8boats0 being made very strong and light1 of ribs with skin across them1 #e;ft4 long by #a;ft4 wide1 and turned up at each end1 even as a canoe is--he built himself a pair of strong and light snowshoes1 framed of ash1 and ribbed of withy with half-tanned calf skin stretched across1 and an inner sole to support his feet4 8,at first10 he says1 8,i could not walk at all1 but floundered about most piteously1 catching one shoe in the other1 and both of them in the snowdrifts 7just as a beginner would now71 to the great amusement of the maidens who were come to look at me40 ,from the above description such ski would have resembled those of the ,chukchis in ,north-,east ,asia4 ,it is due1 however1 to the youth of ,norway that ski-ing has of late years been reduced to a pleasure and an art2 while the notice it has received abroad is owing mainly to the prominence given to it by accounts furnished to1 and published in1 ,english sporting and illustrated journals1 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 outfit4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #a4--;,an early form of ,snowshoe4 ,from a ,sketch by ,laurentius ,urdahl4 ,in turning to the history of the ski1 it will be found that their origin is as much lost in oblivion as that of the wheel2 but it is not too much to assume that human beings who have been created to adapt themselves to their surroundings at all times1 have1 in lands far separated and entirely apart1 invented somewhat similar appliances with which they could float1 as it were1 and proceed over depths of snow that would otherwise bury them1 or cross tracts of treacherous ice which would give way under the tread of a human foot4 ,in this connection one need not refer solely to inhabitants of wintry countries1 for it will be found that the natives of other regions1 who have to traverse yielding surfaces1 such as the great mud flats of ,hampshire and elsewhere1 wear pattens on their feet1 and are thus able to wander in safety over a substance too soft to bear them otherwise4 ,such pattens are almost identical with those employed elsewhere for travelling over snow1 and consist of slabs of wood1 some #af;in4 to #ah;in4 long1 by #ab;in4 or so in width1 which are attached to the feet by toe straps and thongs4 ,in these pattens1 no matter whether they be made of withes or solid wood1 we undoubtedly find the earliest form of snowshoes or ski1 a form which1 however1 exists to the present day1 and is met with in the north-eastern and northern portions of ,asia1 ,thibet1 the ,caucasus1 ,armenia1 ,scandinavia1 ,germany1 ,switzerland1 and1 in a modified form1 in ,north ,america1 the principle of construction there being identical1 viz41 a ring or framework of wood supporting a net work of withes or sinews4 ,there are1 however1 various modifications of the original round pattern2 some of the shoes1 possibly to prevent straddling1 are more or less elongated1 the length being increased as the breadth is diminished1 while some1 thus shaped1 have occasionally leather stretched between the frames to allow of their wearer gliding1 instead of walking1 over the snow1 and thus become veritable ski2 for while the original object of the snowshoe or patten and the ski are identical1 viz41 to support a weight on yielding surfaces1 the patten remains a shoe for walking purposes1 while the ski becomes a blade on which to slide4 ,from this explanation the difference between patten or snowshoe and ski is possibly made clear for the first time4 ,while1 as previously mentioned1 it is impossible to trace the origin of the ski1 mention of snowshoes is made hundreds of years before the ,christian era4 ,xenophon refers to their being worn 7as in ,scandinavia to the present day7 by the horses of the ,armenians to prevent their sinking in the deep snow4 ,historical mention1 from a period before ,christ1 is also made of the mountaineers of the ,caucasus attaching discs of leather 7probably leather-covered wood71 studded with nails1 to their feet to enable them to move over the snows of the fells4 ,the ancient accounts1 however1 all refer to the patten1 but ,norwegian traditions dating back some #a1fjj years make mention of the ski4 ,the ,greek historian1 ,prokopius1 as well as other writers1 including ,king ,alfred of ,england1 from #eej ,a4,d4 to #ajgj ,a4,d41 drew attention to the ,lapps1 who were called 8,skrid ,finner10#c one saying they were the best of all men at ski-ing1 and the fact of it being the ,lapps who wore the ski1 or who were the great exponents of ski-ing in those early times1 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 ,finns1 ,samoyeds1 and other tribes of ,mongols migrated northward and westward1 till stopped by the waters of the ,atlantic on the shores of the ,scandinavian peninsula4 ,there can be little doubt1 however1 that pattens were used for hundreds1 if not thousands1 of years before the thought of sliding over the snow1 which led to the introduction of ski1 entered the head of some inventive genius4 ,the original ski were probably constructed by the ,chukchis1 or similar tribes1 near the ,behring ,straits1 or ,sea of ,okhotsk4 ,they were formed1 as already intimated1 of elongated frames covered with leather1 and were modified1 subsequently1 as migration increased1 forests were met with1 and wood was found to be a better and more durable material for the purpose required4 ,it will thus be seen that ski were extensively used in olden times by the ,scandinavians as well as others4 ,they also found their way from ,norway to ,iceland and ,greenland4 ,of ski there are many types4 ,the skridsko 7sliding shoes71 or ski of the ,lapps1 appear1 if one is to judge from old illustrations from the sixteenth century 7,figs4 #b and #c71 to have been veritable shoes1 the feet being placed in a hole made for the purpose at the heel of the ski4 ,they are thus depicted as elongated 7some #c;ft4 long7 sabots4 ,there is1 however1 no reason for assuming these sabot skis to have been the original form1 for they were1 at best1 but a hybrid type of ingenious construction1 possibly only used by the inhabitants of certain districts4 ,the true ,lapps' ski1 on the other hand1 were comparatively short and broad1 attached to the feet by toe straps and thongs1 and covered with the skins of reindeer calves for the purpose of letting them glide easily without accumulating snow on the soles1 of keeping the wood from splitting or fraying1 and because1 when thus covered1 it was easier to ascend the slopes of the hills1 the hairs which lay fore and aft1 checking the tendency to slide backwards4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #b4--,skrid-,finner hunting 7,olaus ,magnus1 ca4 #aeej74 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #c4--,skrid-,finner 7,olaus ,magnus1 ca4 #aeej74 ,such skin-clad ski were1 and are still1 employed by the ,lapps1 as well as by others in ,scandinavia1 ,finland1 and throughout ,siberia2 but several other types have1 nevertheless1 been used in ,lapland for centuries4 ,in ,scandinavia and the ,north1 these skin-covered appliances go by the name of 8aandre10 8ondurr10 8andor10 to distinguish them from the plain ski4 ,as1 however1 the advantages of the skin are not now generally considered sufficient to counterbalance the disadvantages1 they are gradually disappearing4 ,there can be little doubt but that the greatest development of the ski has taken place in ,europe1 notably in ,scandinavia1 where they have been modified to suit the different requirements of the districts in which they are employed4 ,thus have the varied types hitherto been many1 but may be divided generally into two groups1 viz41 the short and broad1 or loose snow ski1 and the long and narrow1 or compact snow variety 78skare ski071 this latter pattern being represented by the ,oesterdal and ,swedish ski 7originally one very long and one short ski1 but now generally of equal length74 ,these are the most suitable for open country1 whether in the lowlands or mountains1 and on level or undulating land are superior1 so far as speed is concerned1 to all others2 but in broken country1 or on mountains where obstacles such as trees1 rocks1 c41 are to be met with1 the shorter or 8loose snow0 patterns1 owing to their handiness1 are invariably employed4 ,almost every province1 it may be said almost every district1 throughout ,scandinavia possessed its own type of ski4 ,in ,russia they have possibly been of a more homogeneous character than elsewhere1 owing to the snow-clad portions of that empire consisting of vast plains which call for no variety of form4 ,of comparatively late years1 however1 there has been a tendency in ,norway to adopt one sort for universal use1 and a sub 7lighter7 variety for leaping purposes4 ,it is a modified ,telemarken 7loose snow7 type1 eminently suited to every purpose1 and is gradually superseding all other forms throughout ,scandinavia4 ,of accessories to the ski1 the staff has invariably been recognised as a necessity 7except in leaping competitions1 when it becomes a source of the greatest danger7 and should always form part of the outfit on all long excursions or journeys4 ,it assists the skier both in aiding him when ascending1 and as a brake when descending difficult slopes1 or as a means of defence if attacked by animals4 ,the ,lapps use it1 too1 as an offensive weapon when attacking wolves1 which they occasionally run down on their ski1 and kill by a well-directed blow on the snout1 or across that most vulnerable spot1 the loins of the beast4 ,the most effectual use of the staff can only be learnt by experience or teaching4 ,the fastenings may be regarded as other important accessories1 and but a few years ago1 and in many parts even still consist solely of toe straps formed of withes or leather4 ,these simple contrivances suited all the requirements of the expert peasants1 and it is only of late years1 when leaping was introduced1 and the ski put to other and harder purposes than originally intended1 that stronger and more secure bindings became necessary4 ,of these1 there are many sorts1 all good1 but none perfect as yet4 ,in some instances the latter may be a source of great danger owing to its being impossible1 when peril faces one1 or accidents occur1 to remove the ski from the feet1 and notably so when a man breaks through treacherous snow-covered ice1 owing to the ski preventing him from regaining the surface4 ,but while several fatal accidents have occurred in this manner1 it is possible that others have been avoided by the greater command of the ski afforded to most people by secure fastenings4 ,illustration3 ,,holmenkollen4 ,photo by ,rude1 ,christiania4 ,having now given an outline of the history and origin of the ski1 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 pastimes4 ,in the extensive and mountainous district of ,telemarken1 ,norway1 one in which ski were employed possibly more extensively than in any other1 owing to its remoteness1 and the wretched state of the few highways and byways to be found there1 the peasants discovered that the ski might be used for pleasure as well as ordinary pursuits1 and arranged meetings at which races were run1 and the leaping powers of competitors tested on the slopes of selected hills4 ,by degrees news of these trials of skill found its way to the towns and the populated districts in their neighbourhood1 and some few citizens having found ski-ing to be a good1 and to them attractive1 exercise1 determined to hold similar meetings at ,christiania each winter4 ,the accounts given of those meetings are very ludicrous1 the hill being neither steep nor long1 the competitors riding astride their poles down the track1 and only jumping1 if jumping it could be called1 a few yards4 ,the exhibitions did not 8catch on10 and were discontinued for many years4 ,the townsfolk knew too little about the sport to appreciate it1 and the absurd1 if not painful1 appearance of the competitors was not encouraging to aspirants4 ,towards the end of the seventies1 however1 owing chiefly to the exertions of the ,christiania ,ski ,club--a select institution with but few members--some ,telemarken peasants#d were induced to visit the capital1 and in the early part of #ahgi a ski meeting was held on the slopes of the hill at ,huseby1 near ,christiania1 which was attended by a couple of the countrymen1 who took part1 together with other competitors1 in the races and leaping that had been arranged4 ,the ,huseby slope was one which1 only a few years previously1 had been described as highly dangerous1 and impossible to descend when the snow was fast and in good condition4 ,the leaping competition proved most highly interesting4 though in some respects quite comical4 ,every man1 except the ,telemarkings1 carried a long1 stout staff1 and on that1 so they thought1 their lives depended4 ,starting from the summit1 riding their poles1 as in former times1 like witches on broom-sticks1 checking the speed with frantic efforts1 they slid downwards to the dreaded platform or 8hop0 from which they were supposed to leap1 but over which they but trickled1 as it were1 and1 landing softly beneath1 finally reached the bottom somehow1 thankful for their safe escape from the dreaded slide4 ,but then came the ,telemark boys1 erect at starting1 pliant1 confident1 without anything but a fir branch in their hands1 swooping downwards with ever-increasing impetus until with a bound they were in the air1 and #gf;ft4 of space was cleared ere1 with a resounding smack1 their ski touched the slippery slope beneath1 and they shot onwards to the plain1 where suddenly they turned1 stopped in a smother of snow dust1 and faced the hill they had just descended6 ,that was a sight worth seeing1 and one never to be forgotten1 even if in after years such performances have been1 in a way1 totally eclipsed4 ,this wonderful exhibition of the peasants' skill naturally excited the greatest interest1 and acted on the townsfolk like a charm4 ,their leaping was regarded as one of the wonders of the world1 and in subsequent years people flocked to ,christiania from far and wide to witness it4 ,then came the turn of the tide1 the eyes of the city youths became opened--the eyes of those who1 during the long winter days had1 for want of better occupation1 frequented billiard-rooms or ill-ventilated cafs1 where the seeds of idleness and vice lay ready to strike root4 ,by degrees such old haunts became forsaken1 for the attractions of the newly-found sport proved greater than those of the bottle1 and even if they failed to attract and reform the majority of men just at that period1 they certainly had a most beneficial influence on many1 and1 as time advanced1 on the younger generation1 who were able to take to the pastime before bad customs could affect their ways4 ,like other things1 especially before its novelty had worn off1 ski-ing was1 and often still is1 carried to an excess1 but that it is a healthy pastime is a fact beyond all doubt4 ,to men it came as a boon and a blessing1 and subsequently to women and girls1 who1 in the short winter days and close confinement to the house1 suffered terribly from anmia and all its attendant evils4 ,at the time referred to the fair sex was debarred by public opinion from participating in masculine pursuits1 and it is not so very long ago that pater and materfamilias looked askance at girls who donned the ski4 ,that is all changed now1 however1 and ski-ing has produced of later years a race of robust men and healthy women1 presenting the greatest possible contrast to those who lived 8in the good old times10 unconscious of the benefits of exercise and fresh air1 shut up in close and dingy rooms to escape from the dreaded cold and the touch of an icy blast4 ,for some years the peasants carried all before them1 both in the racing and leaping competitions4 ,they were steady on their legs1 accustomed to the mountain slopes from their infancy1 and could out-pace and out-distance all competitors4 ,they did not1 however1 understand the art of training2 the townsmen soon saw they could not get on without that1 and ended at last in beating their teachers on all points1 first in jumping1 which they practised as an art1 and1 secondly1 in racing given distances4 ,it may be well now to touch upon ski-ing proper1 or the employment of ski for the purpose for which they were originally intended1 viz41 travelling over snow-clad land or ice4 ,by means of these appliances people are enable to roam at will1 enjoying the fresh1 crispy air1 the pretty landscape1 and changing scenery1 combined with the pleasant sensation of gliding1 instead of tramping1 over the surface of the country4 ,the speed attained is certainly not very great1 and is about the same in hilly as on level country1 for in the former the time lost in ascending slopes is made up on the descent4 ,in racing1 the time made by the best men1 travelling lightly clad1 and under the best conditions of snow and weather1 works out at about eight and a half miles an hour on a course of a little over nine miles1 and nearly eight miles an hour on one of eighteen and a half miles4 ,in racing1 the longest distance ever run at a stretch was covered by a ,lapp1 who1 at ,jokkmokk1 in ,sweden1 made a good #acg miles in #ba hours and #bb minutes1 over comparatively level ground1 thus at a rate of about six and a half miles an hour4 ,ordinary travellers1 or soldiers on ski1 would find five to five and a half miles an hour quite sufficient to tax their powers4 ,in #aijj1 a detachment of the ,norwegian ,guards accomplished a march of #abe miles in seven and a half days1 an average of some seventeen and a half miles a day1 which must be looked upon as a very good performance1 considering that they carried canvas wherewith to improvise tents1 sleeping bags1 and provisions1 and moved up hill and down dale1 once ascending to a height of #d1jjj;ft4 above the sea level4 ,it will thus be seen that1 in marching trim1 soldiers on ski do not travel faster1 or to any great extent faster1 than infantry at other times1 the only advantage of the ski being that1 when the snow lies1 they are able to move about1 and get along in parts where men not provided with such appliances1 or snowshoes1 would be compelled to remain idle4 ,attention may now be drawn to leaping1 which was originally learned by the ,norwegians on the slopes of their hills when inequalities of ground would1 during a rapid descent1 cause the wearer to bound through the air for some distance1 possibly only a yard or two1 but sufficient1 anyway1 to create a longing for a little more4 ,this led the peasants to make an artificial rise on the face of a hill1 and there meet to see who could leap farthest4 ,in no other country was the leaping ever attempted1 and it is primarily due to it that ski-ing caught on1 and became so popular in ,norway as to throw all other pleasures into the shade1 and attain its present position as the national pastime of the people4 ,to be understood ski-leaping must be seen4 ,no photograph or description can ever give a proper idea of it4 ,many of those who now appear as the best leapers are men who devote their chief energies to this branch of the sport1 and who attend all the meetings they possibly can4 ,they might be called 8pot hunters10 but this term can1 fortunately1 be hardly applied to them as yet1 for the remuneration of a prize can scarcely repay the expenses they incur in loss of time1 travelling1 c4 ,they1 in fact1 perform for the love of the amusement1 and1 it may be said1 nothing else except1 possibly1 renown4 ,ever since the peasants1 in #ahgi1 startled the country by their leaping powers1 jumping has steadily improved1 i4e41 in length1 and in the courage or daring of the leapers4 ,but1 while acknowledging this to some extent1 it must be considered doubtful whether the modern wonderful accomplishments equal or surpass those of the ,telemarken peasants1 who1 some twenty odd years ago1 made bounds of #gj;ft4 and upwards1 with their ordinary country outfit of home-made ski1 simply fastened with toe straps of twisted withes1 whereas now men wear ski specially made for the purpose1 strapped securely to their boots4 ,it may be of interest to conclude by giving a list of those who have made the longest leaps1 and continued their course without a spill4 ,records of leaps in which the men kept their feet after landing on the snow1 so-called 8standing leaps03 ,year4 ,name4 ,place4 ,length of ,jump4 #ahgi4 ,torjus ,hemmestvedt ,christiania #gf feet4 #ahic4 ,torjus ,hemmestvedt ,red ,wing1 ,u4,s4,a4 #ajc 0 #ahih4 ,sven ,sollid ,solberg1 pr4 ,christiania #ajc 0 0 ,cato ,aal 0 ,tollef ,hemmestvedt 7#af years old7 ,telemarken #ii 0 #ahii4 ,asbjrn ,nielsen ,solberg1 pr4 ,christiania #ajg 0 0 ,morten ,hansen #aijj4 ,olaf ,tandberg ,solberg1 pr4 ,christiania #aaf 0 #aijb4 ,paul ,nesj 7#ah years old7 ,trondhjem #acj 0 0 ,nils ,gjestvang ,modum #acd 0 ,from the above it will be seen that the longest leap recorded was one of #acd;ft41 truly a wonderful performance1 and one that could only be accomplished on an exceedingly steep hill by most able performers4 ,in penning the above the writer trusts that he has thrown some light on the origin and history of ski1 and the purpose to which they have been devoted of late years by the ,norwegians1 the founders of the sport of ski-ing4 ,,continental ,,ski-,,running4 ,by ,w4 ,r4 ,,rickmers4 ,if dates there must be1 historians will do well to take ,february #hth1 #ahia1 as the day on which the sport of ski-ing took root outside of ,scandinavia4 ,on that day ,dr4 ,pilet1 ,french ,consul at ,kolmar1 appeared at the ,hotel ,feldbergerhof1 ,feldberg1 ,black ,forest1 with a pair of ski1 and since then the ,black ,forest has been the centre of ski-running in ,germany1 whence it has spread to ,switzerland1 chiefly through the efforts of ,w4 ,paulcke1 whose crossing of the ,bernese ,oberland in the nineties caused a great sensation and induced many mountaineers to show an interest in the new sport4 ,there had been many sporadic efforts before and outside of ,dr4 ,pilet's enthusiastic propaganda1 but his was destined to bear fruit before all the others owing to the favourable conditions under which it started1 for the ,feldberg is an admirable field to insure the rapid growth of such a seed4 ,the hotel lies at a height of over #c1jjj;ft41 and has for many years been open throughout the entire winter1 whereas1 most other places of a similar character were formerly shut up and deserted during the snowy season4 ,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 plains4 ,add to this the close proximity of ,freiburg1 a university town full of young and energetic men1 and we have the explanation why here the first ski-missionary was so successful4 ,true1 ,st4 ,moritz had a far better chance1 but there the first impulse would have been smothered by the conservative inertia of a fashionable crowd4 ,in the usual course of events ,austria would simply have followed the lead of ,freiburg1 and have been content with a very gradual increase of the ski-running public4 ,but here there arose a man1 ,herr ,zdarsky1 who1 single-handed1 and through his untiring personal efforts1 furthered the sport by leaps and bounds4 ,he invented a special ski of his own1 commonly known as the 8,lilienfeld0 7see p4 #db74 ,he taught himself1 for he had never seen a ski-runner1 and he elaborated a scientific method of teaching the various movements and evolutions4 ,he may have opinions of his own1 some of which may have been proved to be relatively wrong1 or have been vetoed by a majority1 but the fact remains that he was the first systematic teacher of ski-running4 ,to him we owe a published theory of ski-ing as specially applicable to steep and difficult ,alpine ground2 while many1 including the writer of these lines1 enjoy the honour of being his disciples4 ,this honour was not1 in the first instance1 without its drawbacks1 for a theory1 especially if it be new and original1 is a fertile source of dissension4 ,the theory would perhaps have been forgotten1 and the 8,lilienfeld0 fastening might now be rusting in the patent office1 had ,herr ,zdarsky not been a man of action endowed with an iron will4 ,practice carried the day4 ,ten years ago there was one pupil at ,lilienfeld2 last winter 7#aije7 over #a1bjj received instruction from this indefatigable pioneer1 to whose village special trains carry devotees from ,vienna every ,sunday4 ,the differences between the ,zdarsky school and the ,black ,forest threatened to assume alarming proportions1 for1 strange to say1 both sides had seen little of each other1 and a host of misunderstandings arose between them over theoretical opinions concerning style and fastening4 ,fortunately the storm has now blown over1 for many things have been cleared up1 and the old hands have ceased to bother their heads about the best fastening or the best method4 ,thus the 8,lilienfeld ,strife0 is a chapter of history1 an interesting phase in the evolution of our noble sport4 ,to put the matter in a nutshell1 the ,black ,forest looks at the question of ski and style exclusively from the ,norwegian point of view of all-round excellence1 whereas ,lilienfeld approaches the subject with the sole idea of quickly teaching the beginner how to run safely on mountainous ground4 ,had this been properly understood at once1 there would have been no quarrelling1 for these two standpoints are not antagonistic1 but complementary4 ,the general theoretical truth is the mean between the two1 whereas the absolutely practical method is their application to the age1 physique1 talents1 and inclinations of each particular individual intent upon learning to ski4 ,in ,switzerland there has been no less interest shown in ski-ing than elsewhere1 and it is doubtless destined to be the great ski-ing country of the future1 boasting1 as it does1 of mountains1 snowy valleys1 and a thriving population4 ,norwegians have told me that1 according to their belief1 they may some day be surpassed by the ,swiss1 who have at their disposal a much greater choice of long and steep slopes4 ,in ,switzerland the natives and the visitors1 as a rule1 know very little of each other4 ,the natives have taken the cue from the ,black ,forest1 whereas the visitors1 mostly ,english1 have exhibited a laudable impartiality and an enthusiasm which bids fair to raise ski-running to the first rank among ,british winter sports4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,note4--,in the foregoing article ,mr4 ,rickmers has omitted one or two points in the development of ,continental ski-running which may here be mentioned4 ,the translation of books treating of polar expeditions1 and1 in particular1 the eloquent passage about ski in ,dr4 ,nansen's ,first ,crossing of ,greenland1 was largely responsible for the first growth of the sport on the ,continent4 ,history1 too1 has repeated itself1 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 ,christiania4 ,we remember well the astonishment and enthusiasm which was aroused at the meeting of the ,glarus ,club in #aijc1 when ,messrs4 ,heyderdahl and ,holte gave an exhibition of leaping and quick turning4 ,never had the people seen such a sight before1 and the good seed sown took root1 and bore green shoots at once in the shape of numerous little jumps constructed by the juvenile population4 ,and as in ,glarus1 so in other places1 people were suddenly awakened by an exhibition of expert skill to the immense possibilities of the long unwieldy-looking boards4 ,great praise is also due to such men as ,dr4 ,paulcke1 of ,freiburg2 ,herr ,iselin1 of ,glarus2 ,herr ,von de ,beauclair1 of ,bern 7to mention only three71 for the organisation and conduct of ski clubs in their special districts1 and the holding of race meetings and courses of instruction presided over by ,norwegian experts4 ,other clubs sprang up in all directions1 and a great number of meetings began to be held in different parts of the country4 ,in ,switzerland1 indeed1 this soon became a source of inconvenience1 for every little club had its championships which professed to cover a far larger area than fact warranted4 ,it was accordingly arranged last year 7#aijd7 to form a large central association for all ,switzerland1 which1 in due course1 held its meeting at ,glarus on ,january #bast1 #aije4 ,even as these lines are going to press the news comes to hand of a large association of all the clubs of ,central ,europe1 and1 although in the meanwhile no central meeting is contemplated1 it seems more than probable that some arrangement of the sort will1 at no very distant period1 be found convenient4 ,at these ,continental gatherings it was last year 7#aijd7 decided to observe the same principles as in ,norway1 and the chief honours are now awarded to those competitors who show the greatest skill in both long-distance racing and jumping4 ,the long-distance race is thus1 in the main1 a test of speed and endurance1 whilst the jump shows whether a runner is courageous1 quick-witted1 and skilful as well as strong4 ,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 sport4 ,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 warfare1 and it is now usual to hold races designed specially for soldiers at all ski meetings of importance4 ,in the opinion of all competent judges1 ski would be of great value in the north-west frontier of ,india1 but up till the present no good ski-runner has been invited by the ,government to put matters to the test4 ,for an interesting essay on the subject see ,mr4 ,h4 ,chubb's article in the ,ski ,club of ,great ,britain's ,year-,book1 ,no4 #a41 ,vol4 ,i4--,,ed4 ,illustration3 ,a ,,norwegian ,,soldier4 ,photo by ,a4 ,b4 ,wilse4 ,,the ,,elements ,,of ,,ski-,,running4 ,by ,w4 ,r4 ,,rickmers and ,e4 ,c4 ,,richardson4 ,,introduction4 ,ski-running is a sport which literally throws one into a whirl of excitement from the moment one starts learning it4 ,thus the novice who has once tried will not worry over the question as to how long he will take to master the art4 ,the constant repetition1 however1 of the inquiry3 8,how long does it take to learn ski-running80 forces us to make some kind of reply1 though unwilling to compromise ourselves by laying down a hard and fast rule4 ,given1 then1 a pair of ski1 snow1 correct methods1 and a certain amount of patience1 anyone gifted with average pluck and muscle should know enough after a week's practice to enjoy excursions of four or five hours' length4 ,the practice of the first day or two is always the most trying1 but after this progress becomes rapid4 ,every beginner falls continually and expends an enormous amount of energy in getting up again1 and every beginner misapplies the greater part of his strength in other directions4 ,but an elementary balance is soon gained1 and one quickly learns how to make those little movements of the thigh muscles which save so much4 ,we are far from saying that at the end of a week you will be even a moderately good ski-runner4 ,downhill your more skilful companions will be able to leave you far behind1 and you will be sorely embarrassed when the ground is at all difficult4 ,but at the end of that time you ought to be far enough advanced to enjoy something of the sensations of a swift descent1 and to enter upon the confines of that territory of snow-clad forest and mountain which it will be your special privilege to visit4 ,and that is already much4 ,whilst it is our belief that no other form of exercise offers greater opportunities for the development of individual skill1 it is certain that in no other are the surroundings more beautiful or more novel4 ,the landscape is1 as it were1 transfigured1 for the commonest objects become ennobled when swathed in the flowing garb of the snow-drift1 with its sparkle of iridescent hues4 ,there is a stillness and a clearness and a blueness of the atmosphere1 and a play of golden sunlight through the branches of the pine trees1 standing so erect and silent1 sleeping till the return of spring4 ,and above the trees fresh wonders lie in store4 ,vast slopes of snow1 broken here and there by some dark rock1 and behind them the soaring watch-towers of the ,alps1 with their time-worn battlements and shattered walls4 ,below1 in the gulf of the valley1 lies the village1 diminutive like a ,german toy at the bottom of a staircase2 and on the other side rise whitened slopes1 with clusters of tiny chlets1 snow-covered and silent2 and far away in the enchanted distance1 clear-cut1 yet mystical1 stretches a fairyland of filmy peak and glacier1 blending its opalescence with the blue of heaven4 ,a week is surely a short apprenticeship to serve for the enjoyment of these wonders1 and we honestly believe that1 if you are reasonably strong and diligent1 you can see them at the end of that time4 ,like most things1 ski-running is best learnt young4 ,a certain suppleness of limb characterises the style of those who have begun in childhood1 and this1 like the true accent of a foreign language1 is most difficult to acquire in after years4 ,nevertheless1 it is astonishing what can be achieved long after the muscles have set4 ,in proof of which we may instance that two really good runners with whom we are acquainted did not begin1 in the one case till after thirty and in the other till after fifty4 ,we do not1 therefore1 consider it likely that you are too old to learn1 though we are willing to believe that you may be too lazy6 ,an encouraging feature of the sport is the constant improvement one makes4 ,in many other pursuits a point seems soon to be reached beyond which further progress is very difficult4 ,but with ski-running every season brings its due measure of advance4 ,a well-known skater is credited with the observation that anybody could learn to skate1 but that to be a first-class ski-runner one must not only be born on ski1 but live on them constantly for eighty years--an hyperbole which contains a strong element of truth4 ,of course1 as in other things1 an early beginning is of great value1 but a natural aptitude can very well be developed late in life4 ,it is the object of a book of this kind to provide instruction in those methods which experience has shown to be useful1 and we believe that if the beginner will himself help us by using his intelligence1 he will be very materially assisted by the perusal of these pages4 ,at the same time1 it must not be forgotten that the best we can hope to do is to place before him a sort of grammar of the sport4 ,the spoken language1 the unconscious and instantaneous adaptation of the various positions advocated to the circumstances of the case1 can only be acquired by practice directed by common sense4 ,,part ,i4 ,,the ,,ground ,,and ,,the ,,snow4 ,wherever there is snow1 there one can ski2 whether one safely may is another question1 whereof more anon4 ,absence of snow1 or snow transformed into blue ice1 are therefore the well-defined limits to the possibilities of the sport4 ,there is no kind of surface capable of harbouring snow which has not been tried on ski1 from the plain1 with its unbroken sheet of white1 to the rugged mountain side1 where narrow channels have to be navigated amid toothed reefs and giddy precipices4 ,every pedestrian knows the infinite variety there is in landscape2 how an ever-changing aspect of the surface is created by the geological nature of the soil 7sand1 moor1 rock7--the vegetation 7grass1 heather1 forest7--the inclination of the slopes and other topographical features 7downs1 hills1 mountains1 valleys1 lakes72 not to forget the work of man 7his houses1 fences1 roads1 and ditches74 ,for the ski-runner this great variety of ground is increased a hundredfold by the different states of the snow1 which he learns to distinguish in the course of his outings4 ,the changes snow is capable of are wonderful to behold1 and the observant tourist never ceases to discover some kind or condition which is new to him4 ,there is soft1 flaky1 fresh-fallen snow2 there is downy1 fluffy1 powdery1 floury1 crystalline1 brittle1 salt-like1 slithery1 gelatinous1 watery snow2 there is snow as hard and white as marble1 and snow with a thick crust which breaks into big slabs2 there can be a layer of soft or powdery stuff on a hard sheet1 or a thin1 glassy film over loose snow4 ,we have seen it in thin scales1 the size of half-crowns1 rustling under the ski like the leaves of an autumn forest1 or1 again1 in the form of long1 streaky crystals1 like asbestos4 ,often it lies pat and smooth over the rounded hills2 at other times it will be a frozen turmoil of waves1 ridges1 and grooves6 ,,variable ,,ground ,,is ,,desirable4 ,in stating that it is possible to ski on every kind of snow and on every form of snow-covered ground1 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 others4 ,and as regards the ground1 most people prefer it to be as varied as possible4 ,we do not like it to be all precipitous mountain-side or all dead level1 or1 for that matter1 all undulating glade4 ,nor do we desire our slopes to be always smooth and easy1 any more than we wish them always broken and difficult4 ,a happy combination of all these things is best4 ,we adore the straight1 smooth descent of a long incline1 with its wind-song in the ears and its snow spray in the face1 but we have also an affection for turning hither and thither amongst trees and rocks4 ,and even level running1 which the beginner is apt to despise1 is much more interesting and much more difficult than many people are inclined to believe4 ,,the ,,snow ,,should ,,be ,,uniform4 ,but1 whilst the ground itself should be varied1 it is most desirable that the snow upon it should be of uniform quality throughout4 ,sudden changes1 as1 for example1 when a thin crust will bear for some distance and then suddenly give way1 are not only unpleasant1 but sometimes positively dangerous4 ,perhaps the best of all snow is that which has rested for some time undisturbed at a temperature a few degrees below freezing point4 ,under such favourable conditions the tiny crystals of which it is composed settle down and pack together1 forming a mass1 the compactness of which increases with its depth4 ,nor does the surface remain unchanged1 for here the dew condenses1 and in freezing forms the innumerable thin leaf-like films above mentioned4 ,the ski glide very easily over these1 and sink into the compacter substratum just far enough to admit of easy steering4 ,another capital snow condition is when a hard crust has been formed1 on the top of which more snow falls to the depth of a few inches1 the first few flakes of the new fall being wet1 so as to adhere to the old crust and prevent slipping4 ,wind-driven snow is not usually very good1 but sometimes1 if the temperature be not too low1 it will form itself into a compact floury sort of substance1 which will stick slightly to the ski to a degree just sufficient to help up-hill1 but not enough to cause annoyance or to prevent a free passage downwards4 ,very hard snow is bad both for climbing and for glissading1 for up-hill it becomes necessary to stamp vigorously in order to obtain a footing1 and down-hill the lack of side grip renders steering very difficult4 ,but quite watery snow1 especially if it be shallow1 often affords capital sport4 ,,sticky ,,snow4 ,the worst condition possible for ski-running is when1 the temperature being slightly above freezing1 the snow 8balls40 ,this sometimes occurs with old snow when the sun is very hot1 but much more frequently immediately after a fresh fall4 ,the cause of balling is that water is formed on the surface1 which1 being pressed down into the colder substratum1 re-freezes1 and adheres to the bottom of the ski3 to this1 being again wetted1 large clods of the 8binding0 snow readily attach themselves2 sliding becomes out of the question1 and one is obliged at every step to lift many pounds' weight of mingled snow1 water1 and ice4 ,some partial cures for this evil exist1 and will be found at the end of the book at page #aje2 but they are at the best but makeshifts1 and to our minds ski-running in sticky snow is never really enjoyable4 ,fortunately1 this state of affairs is not nearly so common as one might at first imagine1 for after the snow has settled1 even if the air be warm1 the ski do not usually sink in sufficiently to reach the cold under-surface1 and no re-freezing1 the primary cause of sticking1 takes place4 ,,crusted ,,snow4 ,another kind of bad snow occurs after warm weather followed by frost1 when an ice crust is formed4 ,if sufficiently thick to bear1 and if slightly warm1 this is not so bad2 but if it bears in some places and not in others a very irritating1 and sometimes even dangerous1 state of affairs exists4 ,the evil is aggravated when the sun's rays1 penetrating1 but not melting1 the clear ice surface1 are strong enough to reach the ground below4 ,this being dark coloured1 is warmed1 and1 of course1 melts the snow which is close to it1 forming large hollows1 which1 though capital hot-houses for plants1 are veritable traps for the unwary ski-runner4 ,on such a surface1 when the crust is strong1 the ski will slide rapidly1 but when it is rotten they will break through1 precipitating the runner forward1 cutting his face and hands1 and not improbably spraining his limbs and breaking his ski4 ,turning on such snow is a matter of extreme difficulty1 for the pressure involved usually breaks the crust1 with similar disastrous results4 ,it behoves us to avoid such places1 or1 if we must cross them1 to exercise extreme caution in doing so4 ,,patchy ,,snow4 ,a third1 but less serious1 sort of bad snow is commonly encountered1 when the surface1 being for the most part firm and in good order1 becomes interrupted here and there by marble-like patches of very fine powder4 ,this is a state of affairs which often occurs high up1 when the cold is intense1 and when strong winds blow fine snow over an otherwise good surface4 ,the powder settles on the lee side of any inequalities and adheres to any slight irregularities4 ,the ski glide very well over the old snow1 but are checked by the powder1 and a fall forward results4 ,a little practice1 however1 soon enables one to distinguish between the semi-transparent1 crystalline1 darker-looking1 old snow and the more opaque1 white1 fresh powder2 and one learns how to make allowances by leaning backwards or forwards4 8,,skavler40 ,another disagreeable variety of snow worthy of special mention is the frozen turmoil of waves previously mentioned4 ,this1 too1 occurs very high up1 and is caused by wind4 ,in the ,norwegian tongue it is known by the expressive name of skavler4 ,the ridges are sometimes as much as a couple of feet high1 and1 being quite hard1 they are very unpleasant to traverse4 ,they occur1 of course1 on the sides of mountains more exposed to the wind4 ,if one must cross them1 a long ski is preferable to a short ski for the purpose1 but there is often a way round if one looks for it intelligently4 ,,an ,,eye ,,for ,,country4 ,in this connection it may be said at once that to choose one's way correctly and quickly1 either up hill or down1 is a most important part of ski-running1 demanding just about as much skill as the preservation of the balance4 ,what is known as an eye for country seems to be very largely a natural gift4 ,some people are always in difficulties1 whilst others1 often less skilful in other respects1 are able to find their way almost intuitively across unknown ground4 ,but1 of course1 experience in this1 as in other matters1 counts for a great deal1 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 conditions4 ,it is impossible to give much information of this kind in a book1 but1 nevertheless1 a few hints on the subject may be found useful4 ,in the first place it may be said that as a general rule snow is in better running condition on the north sides of hills1 which are shaded from the sun1 than on the south1 which are exposed to it4 ,and this is true not only of mountains as a whole1 but of every little hillock and inequality throughout their contour4 ,also it is to be observed that the sun is warmer towards the middle of the day than in the early morning1 but that the temperature usually falls about a degree ,fahrenheit for every #cjj feet one ascends4 ,from which considerations it is evident that it generally pays to climb a mountain on the south side1 where the snow will be firm1 and1 at all events late in the year1 to start early in the morning4 ,the north side will usually be the best for the descent1 as there the snow will probably be powdery and manageable4 ,illustration3 ,,in ,,nordmarken1 ,,near ,,christiania4 ,photo by ,h4 ,abel4 ,again1 the direction of the prevalent winds1 as above mentioned1 has considerable influence1 and one will as a rule find the surface harder on the weather than on the lee side of mountains4 ,another thing worth remembering is to proceed very carefully over stony ground early in the year4 ,if a stone be struck it will almost certainly damage the ski1 and very probably cause a spill2 and in ,december many stones are concealed by an inch or two of fluffy snow1 which is no adequate protection4 ,by ,february1 however1 the covering will be both deeper and firmer1 and the risk will not be so great4 ,grass or small heather1 on the other hand1 even though half exposed1 does not stop the free passage of the ski1 but earth--as1 for instance1 that cast up by a mole--is almost as bad as stones4 ,so much for the mole-heap4 ,let us now pass to the consideration of mountains4 ,,the ,,eternal ,,snows4 ,concerning this kind of ground it is needful to give a word of serious advice1 to sound a note of warning--that is1 about ,alpine ground1 the high mountain1 and more particularly the region of the glacier4 ,winter among the highest ,alps taxes to the utmost the experience and the qualities of the mountaineer4 ,while affording the intensest excitement and causing a feeling of the greatest elation when successful1 expeditions to these are never free from grave danger1 as is sufficiently demonstrated by the victims whom ski-mountaineering has already claimed4 ,the proportion of accidents is really appalling1 and should make the ski-runner pause before venturing unwarily into the region of eternal snow4 ,to mountaineers we need only say3 8,observe the rules of your craft with redoubled watchfulness when ski-ing in the ,alps40 ,others we must earnestly implore not to undertake an excursion in the higher regions unless accompanied by experienced companions or native guides4 ,good 8ski-hills0 recommended for downright enjoyment1 and free from conditions causing undue anxiety1 are rarely higher than #hjjj feet 7sometimes #aj1jjj feet72 and we strongly advise the beginner to stick to such and to leave the more ambitious summits severely alone4 ,in drawing this danger zone it must not1 however1 be assumed that every mountain under the limit is safe4 ,the mountains1 as it were1 recede from us in the winter1 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 dominions4 ,gracious to those who have been properly 8presented10 and who approach her in a spirit of reverence1 that lady arms herself against the parvenu who would force his way to her presence and shake her by the hand4 ,giddiness1 snow-blindness1 frost-bites1 snow-storms and mists1 steep ice slopes1 hidden crevasses1 tottering cornices1 and last1 but not least1 the avalanche1 are amongst her weapons4 ,in the use of these she is quite pitiless1 and she usually contrives to cunningly conceal them and to pounce upon her victim when he is most off his guard4 ,,geographical4 ,the beginner who has followed us so far is probably now imbued with the idea that ski-running is a most dangerous sport1 and that if he is not overwhelmed by an avalanche1 he is pretty sure to break his leg in some one or other of the kinds of bad snow which have been mentioned4 ,let him take heart4 ,by far the greater part of the snow-covered ground within easy reach of his abode is sure to be perfectly safe1 and1 provided that he is reasonably careful1 the chances of an accident are very small4 ,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 ,continent1#e and by going further afield very good going may often be found until the end of ,april4 ,still1 it is quite exceptional to enjoy a day's expedition without encountering a little bad or indifferent snow during some part of it1 on which occasions the difference between the beginner and the expert will be more than ever apparent4 ,the great secret is to go carefully1 but to keep moving4 ,make up your mind what you are going to do1 and do it4 ,a hill is never anything like as difficult as it looks from the top1 but it is usually considerably higher than it looks from below4 ,in the clear atmosphere of such countries as ,norway and ,switzerland it is very difficult to judge distances4 ,the moral is to consult maps4 ,in ,switzerland these are specially excellent1 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 matters4 ,a corollary to the importance of maps is the importance of the pocket compass1 without which no party of ski-runners should ever venture far from home4 ,it is surprising how easily a mist or a heavy snow-storm will cause one to lose one's way1 even on ground with which one is perfectly familiar at other times4 ,in doubtful weather take a bearing or two as you go along4 ,to do so takes very little time1 and your knowledge may be of great value on your return journey4 ,we may conclude this section by directing the reader's attention to the ,year-,book of the ,ski ,club of ,great ,britain1 which contains a great deal of information about ski-running from a geographical point of view4 ,no4 #a of ,vol4 ,i41 which has just been issued1 deals with important centres for the sport in ,great ,britain1 ,norway1 ,switzerland1 ,germany1 ,austria1 c41 c4 ,the articles are all written by disinterested and practical men1 who are themselves ski-runners1 and the reader could not do better than turn to it for detailed information concerning any country which he intends to visit4 ,the book is edited by ,mr4 ,e4 ,wroughton1 and is published for the club by ,horace ,cox1 ,bream's ,buildings1 ,london4 ,it is issued free to members of the club and for one shilling to the general public4 ,,part ,,ii4 ,,outfit4 ,,the ,,ski4 ,almost every valley in ,norway had at one time its own special type of ski1 supposed by its inhabitants to be peculiarly suited to their requirements2 and in other lands the variations have been no less numerous and remarkable4 ,those interested in antiquities of this kind are recommended to visit ,herr ,welhaven's very large and complete collection in ,christiania1 which it is to be hoped the ,norwegian nation will acquire and exhibit in a suitable museum before it is purchased by some wealthy foreigner4 ,we do not propose to weary the ordinary reader with a minute description of the various types1 especially as time has shown the special virtues claimed for them to have been largely imaginary4 ,the very curious ,oesterdal ski are1 however1 worthy of special notice4 ,in that district the natives used on the left foot a very long 7about #aa;ft47 and narrow ski1 and on the right a shorter 7about #h;ft47 and broader one1 covered with elk's or seal's skin4 ,the hairy ski was used to push1 climb1 and turn on1 and was called the ,andor2 whilst the long one1 called the ,langski1 was for resting on when running straight4 ,the long ski was of special value in crossing the hard1 lumpy snow so common in that wind-swept region4 ,there was much sense in this arrangement1 for in point of fact one does as a rule1 even now1 run on one ski and steer with the other2 but we fancy that the uneven movements on the level must have been somewhat fatiguing4 ,be this as it may1 the ,andor and the ,langski are now practically extinct1 and in hilly countries the ,telemark ski has now superseded all others4 ,in ,sweden1 ,finland1 and ,russia1 and in flat countries generally1 a very long1 thin1 and narrow ski is found to be faster4 ,the curve in front is very flat1 and there are considerable variations in the form of groove used underneath4 ,but for a mountainous country these are too long for up-hill work1 and the sharp1 flat point is not suitable for glissading4 ,the ,telemark type can1 on the other hand1 be used everywhere1 and we have no hesitation in recommending it to our readers4 ,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 ,continent4 ,differences1 however1 do exist1 and some of them are important2 besides which it is unquestionably pleasant to be the owner of a handsome pair of ski which1 in addition to possessing certain advantages1 are always a source of gratification to oneself and of envy and admiration to one's friends4 ,we will accordingly mention all the points of a really good pair1 beginning with the most important4 ,,the ,,wood4 ,it is1 of course1 necessary that they should be made of very well-seasoned wood1 but1 unless you happen to be a timber expert1 you will have to take your dealer's word for this4 ,ash is the wood most widely used1 and the one which we would recommend the beginner to purchase4 ,hickory ski are faster than ash1 but they are considerably heavier1 and frequently brittle4 ,fir ski are cheap1 light1 and suitable for children1 but it is difficult to get really good wood strong enough for adults2 moreover1 they are considerably slower than ash4 ,walnut is also said to be excellent1 but it is difficult to procure in long enough and straight enough planks1 and it is little used4 ,a combination of pine and hickory is often employed for racing1 where extreme lightness and speed are of importance1 but it is not as strong as good ash4 ,having decided on the wood1 see that the grain is as straight as possible1 and that if at any place it runs out its lines when doing so point downwards towards the heel1 and not upwards towards the toe2 otherwise when the ski begins to wear splinters will be formed1 which will stick downwards into the snow and act as brakes4 ,beware of very light ash1 which is apt to be brittle2 the best is somewhat heavy even when thoroughly dry and well seasoned4 ,by-and-by1 when you have acquired some skill1 you may perhaps like to have a pair of light ski for the mountains where you intend to go carefully and take no risks1 and where consequently the chance of a break is considerably less2 but you will appreciate them all the more if you have got into the way of using a heavier article down below4 ,,shape4 ,the bend in front is of importance4 ,it should begin very gradually at a point about four-fifths of the distance between the heel end and the tip1 and should not be too steep4 ,a rise of about #e;in41 measuring from the ground to the bottom of the tip1 is amply sufficient4 ,a good ski should also be fairly 8whippy0 about the point1 but the elasticity should be distributed gradually from centre to tip1 and should not come suddenly at one point only4 ,we also like a ski to be broad at the bend1 a shade broader even than the beautiful form shown in ,figs4 #d and #e4 ,the two qualities of gentleness of curve and breadth at the tip assist a rapid passage on the top of smooth snow1 whilst the elasticity is valuable on lumpy ground1 besides being conducive to lightness4 ,the desirability of elasticity is1 we think1 a reason for eschewing the round-upper-sided ski sometimes sold in ,norway4 ,the round upper-side does not1 of course1 permit of so much loose snow resting upon it as the flat1 but it makes the front part of the ski very stiff1 and consequently unpleasant to run on1 slow1 and liable to break4 ,besides the bend at the point1 there is a long upward curve throughout the length of the ski1 running from heel to entrance4 ,the object of this is1 of course1 to prevent any bending in the opposite direction caused by the weight of the body2 it also serves to provide an agreeable elasticity when one is running on the level4 ,,colour4 ,the colour of the ski is very largely a matter of taste1 and in nine days out of ten is of no practical importance4 ,every now and again1 however1 there will be a time when the sun will beat fiercely on dark-coloured ski and warm them1 causing the snow to adhere to them top and bottom more readily than to those of lighter colour1 which throw off a greater proportion of the rays4 ,for which reason we unhesitatingly give our vote for plain varnished or white-painted ski4 ,black-painted ski are1 however1 very common in ,norway4 ,they look very smart and present a pleasing contrast to the snow1 and they are frequently recommended for mountain use1 for the reason that when the eye is dazzled by vast expanses of unbroken white they afford a valuable point of focus1 and so act as a preventive to snow-blindness4 ,we would1 however1 strongly advise the reader not to rely too much on this1 or sooner or later his eyes will surely be affected4 ,smoked goggles1 or some such arrangement as that recommended on page #ej1 are infinitely preferable to any black paint4 ,besides which1 plain varnished ski are ever so much darker than the snow1 and one can focus one's eyes almost equally well on them4 ,the painting of ski is1 on the other hand1 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 suppose4 ,illustration3 ,,ski4 ,modern 8,telemark0 ,type4 ,,fig4 #d4 ,,fig4 #e4 ,having1 then1 given our vote for plain-varnished1 flat-topped1 fairly heavy ash ski of ,telemark type1 with a long1 easy1 flattish elastic entrance and a broadish point1 it remains for us to consider how broad they shall be at the middle and how long over all1 and whether they shall or shall not be provided with a groove underneath them running from end to end4 ,we approach these questions with a certain degree of diffidence1 for1 in the first place1 investigations with a view to their answer have not been1 and perhaps cannot be1 carried out with much scientific precision1 and1 in the second place1 they will always remain very largely matters of personal taste4 ,,smooth-,,bottomed ,,and ,,broad versus ,,grooved ,,and ,,long4 ,evidently to some extent the length and breadth of a ski must be proportionate to the weight of the runner1 a certain degree of carrying surface being necessary to obviate sinking4 ,but1 apart from all questions of support1 length is of great importance4 ,in this respect ski resemble ships1 for1 generally speaking1 the longer they are the faster they go4 ,area for area long ski are faster than broad4 ,on the other hand1 the shorter a ski is the more readily it will turn1 and it is1 of course1 very important to be able to steer easily4 ,there comes a point1 however1 when ease of turning develops into wobbling1 and seriously interferes with one's balance when running straight4 ,nor is the unsteadiness of short and broad ski confined to what may be considered as horizontal wobbling1 due to inequalities of the ground1 but broad ski are also more subject to what may be regarded as vertical wobbling1 due to unequal snow consistency4 ,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 direction1 but in the case of a broad ski in a sideward direction1 which latter is1 of course1 more upsetting4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,gates ,,of ,,the ,,jotunheim4 ,photo by ,e4 ,c4 ,richardson ,again1 almost all ski are nowadays provided with a groove along the bottom1 beginning at a point a little distance below the bend and continuing to the heel4 ,the object of this is to prevent horizontal wobbling and to assist straight running4 ,its working is most powerful4 ,clearly1 then1 some sort of compromise must be arrived at between a very smooth and broad ski on the one hand1 and a very long and grooved one on the other4 ,now in ,norway straight running is all the order of the day4 ,around ,christiania there is scarcely a hill which cannot be1 and is not1 taken at full speed1 and the smooth1 glacier polished mountains of that country are equally suitable for a straight descent4 ,in the ,black ,forest1 too1 straight running is paramount4 ,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 head1 and of a width proportionate to the weight of the runner4 ,in ,switzerland1 however1 the ground is both steeper and more irregular1 and in general far more difficult for straight running1 hidden water-courses1 rocks1 and other obstacles being of common occurrence4 ,there1 it is accordingly of paramount importance to the beginner to be able to control his speed and to turn1 and our advice is that in that country he should1 for ordinary going1 use somewhat shorter and slightly broader ski--say1 about #f;in4 shorter than in ,norway4 ,we advise him for all-round purposes in ,switzerland to retain the groove4 ,but if he is going to do much climbing on very steep and difficult ground1 or if he is advancing in years and has lost something of his pristine dash1 he may find it convenient to omit the groove and to travel on perfectly smooth boards4 ,,long ,,alpine ,,tours4 ,for really long and arduous mountain tours in the ,alps1 where every ounce of weight tells1 we would recommend a further reduction of about a foot in all from the customary ,norwegian length1 and only a slight increase 7if1 indeed1 any7 in the ordinary breadth4 ,on such expeditions careful going and power of control are of paramount importance1 and ski-running becomes more of a means to an end than an end in itself4 ,a little extra sinking in up-hill is not of much moment1 and is more than equalised by the gain in lightness2 and down-hill the loss in speed is of no consequence--indeed1 in some cases a positive advantage4 ,on such ski1 too1 the groove is better omitted4 ,,ordinary ,,use4 ,the following table may help the reader to select ski of about the usual ,norwegian proportions3-- ,,height ,,of ,,the ,,ski-,,runner4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------- #d' #ce' #je' #ce' #ee' #ge' #i #e' #aa ---- ,up to to to to to to to to ,over #d' #ce' #je' #ce' #ee' #g #e' #ie' #aaf' #a #f' #a ,under #b #b #b #b #b ,,weight #aj ,,stone #ea #ei #fe #ga #gg -- -- -- -- ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,,of #aj ,,to #b #b #b #b ,,the #ac ,,stone -- -- -- #ga #ge #gi #hc -- -- ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,,ski- ,,over #c #c #c #c ,,runner4#ac stone -- -- -- -- -- #gi #hc #hg #ia ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,,preservation4 ,ski should be treated properly if they are to retain their full efficiency4 ,it is a capital plan to oil them from time to time like a cricket bat4 ,linseed oil is best for the purpose1 and a small quantity of paraffin should be added to it to help it to penetrate4 ,this treatment hardens the wood1 and renders it waterproof and not liable to splinter4 ,ski should be kept in a cool place1 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 snow4 ,one should avoid walking on them over earth and stones4 ,after use they should be cleaned4 ,to 8set0 them1 place their under sides in contact1 and strap them loosely together at the points where they touch--viz41 extreme heel end and base of the tip4 ,insert a piece of wood about #b;in4 square and in4 thick at a spot indicated by the usual position of your boot-heel2 then strap tightly4 ,they will then be in close touch at the ends1 #b;in4 apart under the heel1 and the 8feathering0 is thus preserved4 ,,the ,,binding4 ,no part of a beginner's outfit is likely to cause him so much 8sweet sorrow0 as his binding4 ,the chances are enormous that whatever he buys will afford him plenty to think about1 and1 alas6 to talk about1 for a considerable time to come4 ,during his early efforts he is certain to attribute most of his misfortunes to its manifest imperfections1 and if1 as we hope1 he is a person of an inventive turn of mind1 he will spend the greater part of his evenings1 and perhaps even some of the watches of the night1 in designing something new and original which will at one and the same time overcome all his difficulties and make his fortune4 ,it is our sincere desire to assist him in this laudable endeavour1 and accordingly we shall give below a few of the qualities which a perfect binding ought to possess4 ,before proceeding to do so it will1 however1 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 easy4 ,for legion is their name1 and it is difficult to make a selection without hurting somebody's feelings4 ,during the early days of the sport in ,central ,europe 7that is to say1 till quite recently7 the fiercest controversy raged about bindings 7see p4 #ae74 ,but now1 partly because of the impossibility of saying anything new on the subject1 and partly because the discovery has been made that after all one's fastening is not of paramount importance1 the topic is no longer of absorbing interest4 ,not but what our ,teutonic friends retain their love of controversy1 and their earnest methods of conducting such1 but the ,scotchman in search of an argument would do better to start some theme other than bindings1 as1 for example1 seal's skin or wax4 ,a reaction has1 in fact1 set in1 and whereas two years ago the most complicated was the best1 we were surprised last season to find a ,continental friend using the old 7and very excellent7 ,lapp binding1 which was so much in vogue in ,norway years ago when we first learnt to go on ski4 ,he1 of course1 was under the impression that he had the very latest thing1 and we did not enlighten him1 but we should not be much astonished to find him next year twisting birch twigs after the manner of the early ,telemarkings6 ,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 ski4 ,prior to that a strap across the toe was all that was used4 ,any other arrangement was considered dangerous4 ,then came the ,telemarkings 7see p4 #i7 with their new methods4 ,they bound the ski firmly to the toe1 and lead ropes of twisted birch from the toe round the back of the heel4 ,this arrangement was at once felt to be an advantage4 ,not only did it prevent the foot continually slipping out of the toe strap1 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 hill2 moreover1 it enormously helped steering1 and so it was adopted4 ,,some ,,common ,,fastenings4 ,people living in towns1 however1 either could not procure birch twigs or lacked skill in preparing and fixing ropes made from them4 ,something else had to be substituted1 and that something was the thin cane1 which so long held the field4 ,the canes were steamed1 and bent round the back of the heel and secured in front by a clamp4 ,this form of binding was and still is widely used4 ,but the canes1 even when covered with leather and strengthened with steel wire1 were found to be inconvenient4 ,they broke and they were cumbersome1 and the guiding power they allowed of was limited4 ,so taboo was broken and metal was admitted into the construction of the fastening4 ,contrary1 however1 to expectation1 people's legs did not break oftener than before1 and1 as the iron also stood the strain1 a binding like that given below 7,fig4 #f7 became very popular4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #f4--,lapp ,binding1 ,huitfeldt's pattern 7left foot74 ,the heel is secured by means of a single thong about #g;ft4 long1 with a loop at the end4 ,the loop end is doubled close to the loop1 and the bight passed through the hole in the ski below the ball of the foot4 ,the long end is then passed round the back of the heel1 through the bight1 back round the heel1 and through the hoop thus3-- ,illustration3 ,the whole is then pulled tight1 and the long end passed over the instep1 under the thongs on the inside of the foot1 back over the instep1 and under and round the thongs on the outside1 where it is secured by a couple of half-hitches4 ,the loose end is then tucked away1 as shown in ,fig4 #f4 ,the ,,lapp ,,binding shown above is ,huitfeldt's pattern4 ,the novelty about it was the iron toe piece2 the thong arrangement had long been used by the ,lapps4 ,as previously mentioned1 many people still employ this binding1 and when skilfully adjusted it can be very firm1 and it possesses the merits of extreme simplicity and ease of repair4 ,we have1 however1 several objections to it4 ,in the first place1 it takes some little practice and some little strength to fix the thong properly1 an operation rendered doubly difficult when the leather is frozen and the fingers cold4 ,again1 the thong1 especially if changes of temperature occur1 is continually expanding and contracting2 the knots in it are apt to make sore places on the foot1 and1 like a boot-lace1 it has an irritating way of breaking just when one is in a hurry4 ,again1 the iron toe piece must be most carefully adjusted to fit the boot4 ,in short1 we dislike the whole fastening for the reason that1 unless it is very carefully put on and attended to1 it becomes altogether toe wobbly4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #g4--;,huitfeldt ,binding4 ,iron ,toepiece and ,straps4 ,the ,,huitfeldt ,,binding given above is considered by many people to be an improvement on the ,lapp binding1 and it has attained a vast popularity in ,norway4 ,in principle it differs from the latter but little2 but very stout straps are substituted for the thong with its troublesome knots1 and the iron toe-piece is made of a solid piece of metal1 which is bent up on either side of the ski1 and which can be hammered into the exact shape of the sole of the boot4 ,this is an advantage1 as an accurate fit is insured4 ,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-binding4 ,the straps1 with it too1 expand and contract with the temperature1 and a very slight degree of slackness is sufficient to make the whole very loose4 ,moreover1 the side straps catch the snow to some extent and act as a brake1 though usually this is not of much consequence4 ,the ,huitfeldt binding is also troublesome to put on firmly1 especially when the straps are frozen4 ,hyer-,ellefsen's shortening clamp 7,fig4 #h7 is designed to get over this difficulty1 but it is new1 and we have not had sufficient experience of it to offer any criticism4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #h4--;,hyer-,ellefsen's ,patent ,clamp for use with ,huitfeldt's binding4 ,we now come to a new class of fastening1 where the heel is connected with the ski by means of some sort of sole1 generally made of the 8belting0 used for driving machinery1 fixed to the top of the ski in front of the toe4 ,there are innumerable variations of this plan1 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 instep4 ,the toe is held in position either by side irons and a strap1 as in the ,huitfeldt binding1 or by a simple broad strap passing through the ski and buckling across the toe4 ,in the latter form it has attained to considerable popularity on the ,continent1 especially in the ,black ,forest4 ,we do not1 however1 think it worth while to give a picture of this fastening1 as it is not one which we can recommend for any purpose4 ,the dummy heel fills up with snow1 and becomes uncomfortable2 and as to the belting1 one is in this dilemma1 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 forward1 in which case it rises off the ski at every step and presses the toe against the toe strap1 thereby causing discomfort and cold feet4 ,,torgersen',s 8,,handry0 ,,binding 7,fig4 #i7 is1 we think1 vastly preferable1 for it has no heel to collect snow1 and the belting1 only reaching half-way down the foot1 is not so liable to buckle4 ,it cannot1 however1 claim to be a really firm binding1 though if the strap leading from the belting round the instep be pulled tight 7and a tight strap at this part of the foot does not seem to affect the circulation7 it is not so loose as might be supposed at first sight4 ,but the chief advantage of ,torgersen's binding is its extreme adjustability4 ,it will fit almost anybody1 and can be taken on and off in a moment4 ,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 periods4 ,its only moderate firmness also recommends it to nervous beginners who want to run straight and fast1 and who are afraid of the slight extra risk involved by using a rigid fastening4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #i4--,torgersen's ,handy ,binding4 ,driving ,belt and ,straps4 ,half the sole is ,driving ,belt4 ,,ellefsen',s ,,patent ,,binding 7,fig4 #aj7 is of the same class4 ,it appeared last season 7#aijd-e71 and has scarcely been in use long enough to allow of exhaustive criticism4 ,as with ,torgersen's1 the belting only reaches about half-way down the foot1 where it is terminated by an iron cross-piece with upright cheeks fitting on either side of the heel 7see ,fig4 #aj74 ,from these cheeks a strap leads round the back of the heel1 by means of which the belting is pulled tight4 ,this stretching of the belting is the novelty of the arrangement1 and is very ingenious1 as1 of course1 it prevents all buckling4 ,the iron toe-pieces are much the same as in ,huitfeld1 but they are fixed firmly to the ski by means of the little metal tongues which are part of them4 ,the tongues at the same time secure the driving belt under the toe1 giving it due stiffness in a vertical direction and preventing pressure of the toe strap4 ,but obviously this is the weak spot of the front part of the arrangement1 and unless the belting is of the very best quality it is liable to tear there4 ,the makers1 however1 claim that the best belting will not tear1 and time alone can decide whether this is so or not4 ,the binding is not readily adjustable1 and when ordering it is necessary to send a sketch of the boot which one intends to use with it4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #aj4--;,ellefsen's ,patent ,binding4 ,the figure with the boot also shows a little strap sewn on to the heel of the boot to prevent the heel straps slipping off4 ,this is very useful with all the above-named fastenings4 ,see infra1 pp4 #dg and #dh4 ,the ,,lilienfeld ,,binding has caused more discussion and provoked more criticism than any other4 ,it1 too1 is on the 8sole0 principle1 but differs from all others in this respect1 that 7except for the heel and toe straps7 it is made entirely of metal4 ,the vertical axis of the sole is1 moreover1 placed in front of the toe1 and not under it as in other fastenings1 and vertical stiffness is secured by means of a very ingenious spring arrangement embedded in the ski4 ,this shifting of the axis forward makes the binding feel curious at first1 but one gets accustomed to it after a while1 and then it becomes very comfortable and pleasant4 ,an objection to the plan is1 however1 that one is deprived of much control over the heel of the ski1 and is placed1 so to speak1 at the mercy of the spring4 ,it is1 however1 often convenient to raise the heel of the ski when going up hill1 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 up4 ,on the other hand1 if the spring be tight the heel keeps 8clappering0 up and down at every step4 ,another decidedly bad point about this fastening is its weight4 ,it is unquestionably heavy4 ,it is necessary1 therefore1 to use a considerably lighter ski with it than with any of the ordinary arrangements1 and light ski are apt to be brittle4 ,it is1 however1 a very powerful binding1 very suitable for making 8,s0 turns on steep and difficult ground4 ,it seldom or never breaks1 and it is adjustable to almost any boot4 ,it is usually sold fitted to a special ski with a hole in it cut for the spring4 ,the so-called 8,alpine skee0 is shortish1 broadish1 and flat-bottomed1 with a sharply turned-up bluff entrance4 ,these qualities render it less suitable for straight running1 but useful for turning on the mountain-side1 for which special purpose it is1 indeed1 designed4 ,people somewhat advanced in years will find the 8,alpine skee10 with its special fastening1 of value for mountain tours1 and it is1 we think1 easier to learn to turn on it than on any other2 but your dashing youth and your jumper will certainly prefer the ,norwegian article4 ,of course1 the ,lilienfeld fastening can be fixed to a ,telemark ski4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #aa4--,the ,lilienfeld ,binding4 8,alpine ,skee40 ,movable ,steel ,sole4 ,,method ,,of ,,fixing4 ,the right way of attaching all the above-named bindings to the boot will have been evident from the descriptions appended to each4 ,it is sufficient to observe here that the straps 7and particularly the toe-straps7 should never be pulled tighter than occasion demands4 ,tight straps are the surest road to frost-bite1 besides being very uncomfortable4 ,for all ordinary going--that is to say1 during far the greater length of time that the ski are on the feet--the straps may be worn comparatively loose4 ,it is quite easy to tighten them up for a difficult piece of ground or a jump1 and there is no occasion to run unnecessary risks4 ,another important matter is that with all ordinary bindings care should be taken not to thrust the foot too far into the toe-strap4 ,the toe-strap should never cross the foot lower than the middle of the great toe4 ,people are apt to neglect this simple precaution1 but in doing so they run the risk of spraining the foot in the event of a fall forwards4 ,in the case of the ,lilienfeld binding1 it is not necessary to be quite so careful1 as with it the vertical axis is in front of the foot4 ,,conclusion4 ,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 everybody6 ,some people want extreme lateral rigidity1 others a little play1 and others1 again1 comparative looseness4 ,it is much the same with the vertical movement2 if very stiff there is great control1 valuable for jumping and for lifting the heel in steep hill climbing1 but the ski 8clappers0 on the level4 ,if very loose1 the toe has to carry too much weight1#f and the advantages of stiffness vanish4 ,there can really be no such thing as a happy mean in these matters1 and everybody must choose that which on the whole is best suited to his requirements4 ,nor can any form of fastening last for ever1 and the most that one can expect is that a binding should not be continually giving way4 ,do not1 therefore1 begin by worrying yourself too much about this part of your equipment4 ,buy one or other of the bindings depicted above which you think will suit you best1 and learn all about its little peculiarities and something about ski-running before you decide that it is no good4 ,above all things1 avoid boring your more experienced friends with binding talk1 of which they have all had enough and to spare4 ,,foot-,,plates4 ,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 boot2 and a thin plate of some non-corrosive metal is best for this purpose2 the india-rubber or seal's skin commonly sold are of little use1 and soon wear out4 ,,the ,,stick4 ,the stick is a good servant1 but a bad master4 ,it is little used by first-class runners1 except to enable them to increase the speed by punting4 ,there can1 however1 be no doubt that it greatly assists a beginner in preserving his balance on difficult ground and in turning4 ,on the other hand1 it is equally certain that it is frequently the cause of his adopting a bad style1 of spoiling his balance1 and of hindering or entirely blocking his progress in the art of turning4 ,to jump with a stick in the hand is most dangerous1 and1 of course1 there is always the possibility of the stick being lost or broken on tour4 ,accordingly there are those who recommend the beginner to leave this part of his outfit at home2 and much is to be said in favour of such advice1 especially in the case of a young and active pupil4 ,when1 however1 it is argued that anybody who can go on ski without a stick will not have any difficulty in subsequently taking to one1 we venture to differ4 ,perhaps in rare cases it may be so1 but we have had a somewhat extensive experience of beginners of all ages1 and we have always found it otherwise4 ,the novice who has learnt without a stick seems to be greatly embarrassed when one is first placed in his hand4 ,moreover1 we have met not a few ski-runners1 no longer novices1 who make very pretty ,telemark and ,christiania swings on the practice ground with hands free1 but who break down hopelessly on tour when encumbered with a stick4 ,but everybody is agreed that a stick of some sort or other should be taken on tour1 and we fail to see the use of these pretty manuvres if they cannot be accomplished when really most required4 ,this1 however1 is far from being the whole case for the pole4 ,what is your poor elderly friend to do when he tumbles in deep snow8 ,it frequently requires considerable activity to get up under such circumstances1 and what is here mentioned half in jest might really be an ugly matter4 ,besides1 nobody over twenty-five can be expected to enjoy continual struggling head downwards4 ,people get exhausted1 people begin to think that it is impossible to learn1 and people take to some inferior sport which they find easier1 and therefore more amusing4 ,did you mutter 8,let them go08 ,nay2 but there we touch the very root of the matter4 ,is ski-running merely a pretty form of athletics for the few1 or is it a noble sport for the people1 leading them forth from stuffy houses and narrow roads to the glories of the winter landscape8 ,surely the latter2 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 else4 8,but10 it is said1 8if the beginner accustoms himself to run with a stick in his hand he will be quite helpless when he loses it or breaks it1 or when he wishes to jump40 ,this is1 of course1 to some extent true1 but the case is not so bad as all that4 ,in reality1 as above hinted1 it is a good deal easier to run without a stick than with one after a certain stage has been reached2 our experience is that the more advanced pupil soon learns to appreciate this1 and that the transition from stick to no stick is seldom difficult4 ,besides1 there is no reason to carry matters to extremes and never to practise with the arms free4 ,illustration3 ,,thorwald ,,hansen4 ,king's ,prizeman1 ,norway1 '#je4 ,photo by ,th4 ,thorkelsen4 ,our advice1 then1 is3--,begin by carrying a stick in the hand1 but use it only to overcome a difficulty4 ,endeavour to be as independent of it as possible1 and practise sometimes without it4 ,shall the ski-runner use two sticks or one8 and shall it or they be furnished with a basket arrangement at the end 7see ,fig4 #ab78 ,these are questions which have also been much discussed1 and frequently rather unprofitably4 ,we think that it all depends on circumstances4 ,two light bamboos with wicker-work discs 7,norwegian ,trindser7 at the end are very serviceable when one has got beyond the beginner's stage4 ,they help one up hill and along the level1 and down hill they may be trailed behind in each hand1 or on difficult ground held together and used as one4 ,the discs are1 of course1 intended to prevent the point penetrating the snow to too great a depth--not to act as brakes4 ,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 comfort4 ,on such occasions one prefers to have a single stout staff1 which one can thrust deeply into the snow1 and which one knows will not slip or break4 ,and in general we have not found two sticks to be of much service in the high ,alps1 though for lower excursions in ,switzerland and in the ,black ,forest and everywhere in ,norway we prefer them4 ,the novice1 however1 should1 we think1 begin with a simple staff of good ash or other strong wood1 without any disc at the end4 ,he is sure to require to use his stick to some extent 7indeed1 we shall advise him lower down to do so71 and he would probably only break light double sticks4 ,he should get into the habit of holding his stick in either hand1 and should begin to practise with two as soon as he thinks he is far enough advanced to do so4 ,in choosing his stick he will select one about as long as from the ground to the top of his shoulder4 ,it should be furnished with a metal ferrule and a spike at the lower end1 and a broad leather loop at the top for the hand4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ab4--;,disc for bottom of ski stick1 attached by metal ears4 ,staub of ,zrich's pattern4 ,the double bamboo sticks should also be about as long as from the ground to the shoulder4 ,they are best out from the root end of the plant1 where it is strongest2 the root also serves as a convenient lump for the hand to hold4 ,the discs are best attached by a metal arrangement1 as shown in ,fig4 #ab1 and not by boring a hole in the cane and passing a piece of leather through it1 as is common in ,norway4 ,the one method holds for a long time2 the other breaks very soon4 ,,footgear4 ,this is a very important part of a ski-runner's outfit1 and too much attention cannot be paid to it4 ,nevertheless1 nothing is commoner in ,switzerland than to see the early efforts of beginners enormously handicapped by unsuitable boots4 ,english ladies1 particularly1 seem to find it difficult to make up their minds to spend the necessary amount of money on a suitable pair1 and usually appear in thin1 high-heeled shoes covered by 8gouties40 ,but the acme of thoughtlessness was in our experience achieved by a man who went out in patent-leather boots and openwork silk socks6 ,the consequences were1 of course1 frost-bite1 and he narrowly escaped losing a few toes4 ,a strongly made1 waterproof1 low-heeled boot is a necessity1 and with most modern bindings the sole should be not less than half an inch thick4 ,it should be roomy enough to permit of at least three pairs of extra thick socks being worn1 and there should be plenty of room for the toes to 8waggle40 ,with bindings such as ,huitfeldt's it is better not to have the toe cut too square1 for a more or less wedge-shaped end fits better into the toe-irons4 ,in order to resist the pressure of the toe-strap it is best to have the leather extra thick in front4 ,the boot should fit fairly tightly round the ankle and instep1 for reasonable firmness at this point does not interfere with the circulation1 and is of value in preventing sprained ankles and chafed heels4 ,with ,ellefsen's binding1 where there are no straps across that part of the foot1 this is of special importance4 ,nothing is gained by wearing a sloppy sort of boot and subsequently imprisoning the foot in tight and narrow straps4 ,the strain of moving the ski has to be borne somewhere1 and it is best to distribute it evenly where it is least felt4 ,in order to prevent the heel straps slipping down it is strongly advisable with all the bindings mentioned above 7except the ,lilienfeld7 to have a small strong strap and buckle sewn to the heel of the boots4 ,the buckle should point upwards1 and should be fixed quite close4 ,the end of the strap then points downwards1 and is useful as a sort of shoehorn for pulling on the binding4 ,for ,switzerland we would advise the addition of a few nails to the sole of the boot4 ,they prevent any slipping about on icy places round the house1 and they make all the difference to one's happiness in climbing on foot over a pass1 or the last few yards of some rocky and icy summit4 ,they are not1 however1 to be recommended in ,norway1 where nobody wears them4 ,not but what there is plenty of ice round the hotels and sanatoria there1 but in that country custom is everything1 and it is better to bear with a bump or two than to offend4 ,in the ,black ,forest ski boots are often made of dog or calf skin1 with the hair left on outside4 ,an inner coating of hair is often added1 but this we think is a mistake1 as it is difficult to dry after use4 ,the exterior coating of hair is1 however1 a great protection against cold4 ,it wears out in course of time1 and then the thing to do is to follow the classical example of the ,king of the ,jews and buy another pair4 ,arctic explorers and others who go to very cold places are unanimous as to the virtues of outside hair1 and various devices exist to enable the runner to fix a covering of it over his ordinary boots4 ,these inventions are1 however1 apt to be too bulky1 or to fill up with snow1 or to be cut by a nailed boot1 and we cannot recommend any we have seen4 ,a very simple plan is1 however1 to nail a piece of skin 7or canvas-covered felt7 to the ski in front of the foot1 and to pass it between the toe-strap and the boot4 ,it should be wide enough and long enough to cover the toes1 but not1 of course1 so wide as to project and act as a brake4 ,this little dodge helps to keep the toes warm1 not only by the extra covering which it affords1 but also by distributing the pressure of the toe-strap over a greater surface2 it also to some extent prevents snow collecting under the toes and forming an uncomfortable lump there4 ,boots should be greased now and again1 but in moderation1 for excessive greasing is said to cause cold feet4 ,the boots should be warmed 7with hot water or otherwise7 before the grease is applied4 ,castor oil is excellent for this purpose4 ,the best kind of socks to wear are very thick ones made of goat's hair2 but nowadays they are difficult to get4 ,in ,norway so-called 8,ragge ,sokker0 are no longer made of pure material1 and the modern imitation is harsh and uncomfortable4 ,thick woollen socks known as 8,ladder0 are now largely used1 and a pair of these over a good ordinary sock are sufficient for most purposes4 ,it is1 however1 always advisable to take a dry pair in one's rucksack1 for1 however waterproof one's boots may be1 a considerable amount of moisture always accumulates inside them4 ,this is due to the condensation of perspiration against the cold outer surface of the boot1 and is most dangerous in very cold weather1 when the leather freezes and its pores are choked by ice4 ,when this occurs the toe-straps should be loosed and the toes should be kept moving4 ,frost-bite is very insidious1 and is frequently quite unnoticed by the sufferer till he reaches home and it is too late4 ,the consequences may be very serious1 and it is impossible to be too much on one's guard4 ,from the above it will be seen that there is plenty of room for improvement in the ski-runner's footgear4 ,we recommend a thick under-sock1 a pair of good 8,ladder10 a stout boot1 fitting well about the ankle1 but with plenty of room at the toes1 and a piece of skin covering the toes and held in position by the toe strap4 ,but1 all the same1 we frequently suffer from cold feet1 and we wish somebody would invent something better4 ,,other ,,clothes4 ,other clothes are of minor importance4 ,remember that the season and the snow are cold1 that the latter melts1 that the exercise is at times very violent1 and then you are not likely to try wading trousers or an umbrella4 ,the best clothes for ski-runners are1 perhaps1 knickerbockers and a double-breasted jacket4 ,choose a material of smooth texture1 for woolly stuffs catch the snow1 which soon forms into icy lumps1 betraying the novice and melting unpleasantly in a warm room4 ,all openings at the neck1 sleeves1 knees1 and ankles must have an arrangement to fit closely to keep out the snow1 which is apt to find its way in1 especially in the earlier stages of practice4 ,let the cap1 or soft felt hat1 be provided with flaps1 to protect the ears in a sharp breeze4 ,the so-called ,st4 ,moritz cap is excellently adapted to the purpose4 ,thick woollen gloves1 long enough to reach high above the wrist1 are indispensable1 and a second pair ought to be in the pocket as a change1 for wet gloves in a cold wind are the surest road to frost-bite4 ,puttees are probably the best means to shut the top of the boot and to cover the stockings4 ,some sort of wind-jacket is necessary in the ,norwegian mountains and elsewhere where strong winds prevail4 ,a capital one is in use in ,austria4 ,it is made of very thin oil-silk in the form of a sort of smock-frock1 with a hood at the back for the head4 ,it weighs almost nothing1 and is warmer than any sweater4 ,with this and a pair of trousers of the same material one may laugh at the most biting wind that ever blew1 and the dangers of a night out become greatly minimised4 ,,accessories4 ,the ,r,,cksack--,norwegian ,rypesk--came originally from the ,tyrol1 and is by far the best means of carrying things4 ,it should be made of stout waterproof canvas1 and should be provided with broad shoulder-straps4 ,we advise the novice to buy as good a one as he can afford2 he will find it useful for other things besides ski-running4 ,,smoked ,,glasses1 or some such device as that recommended below1 will generally have to be worn above the tree-line to protect the eyes from snow-blindness4 ,the precise nature of this complaint does not appear to be understood4 ,it appears to be more prevalent in some countries than in others1 and is not1 we think1 entirely a matter of intensity of light4 ,it seems1 for example1 to be more dangerous in the ,norwegian mountains than in ,switzerland4 ,like frost-bite1 it is insidious1 and the patient frequently is not seriously inconvenienced till after the damage is done4 ,some people1 too1 are far more susceptible to it than others4 ,instead of smoked glass1 which is liable to become dimmed by the condensation upon it of moisture1 we prefer a simple oblong piece of leather1 #f;in4 long and about #a;in4 broad1 with two oval-shaped holes in it opposite the eyes1 say1 in4 long by in4 broad2 a slit for the nose to hold it in position1 and two pieces of string to bind it round the head4 ,illustration3 ,,in ,,derbyshire1 ,,november1 '#jd4 ,photo by ,c4 ,r4 ,wingfield4 ,the ,,water-,,bottle should be of sufficient capacity2 one to hold about a litre is convenient4 ,it should be provided with a felt covering and a tight-fitting cork4 ,what to put into it is a matter of choice1 though much alcohol is not to be recommended4 ,personally we have given up compounding drinks of cold tea1 sugar1 and wine1 for the reason that they are so nice that we drink more at a time than we should4 ,our companions1 too1 look at us with such longing eyes that it is difficult to resist their dumb appeal4 ,such a water-bottle is soon empty4 ,plain sugar and water is not so nice1 but is very sustaining1 the sugar being very rapidly digested1 and a raw egg or two adds to the value of the compound4 ,dried prunes1 acidulated drops1 and other sweetmeats will be found very pleasant on a ski tour1 even though one never touches them at other times4 ,louis ,stevenson has observed that the hungrier a man is the more he appreciates delicacies1 so do not let your luncheon consist entirely of plain beef sandwiches4 ,remember1 too1 that it is better to eat little and often than largely and all at once4 ,,some ,,sort ,,of ,,repairing ,,outfit and a spare ski tip should always be taken with one4 ,there are little light metal tips on the market made to fit over a broken ski which are very useful4 ,the kind that fixes with a screw is best1 as the other is apt to come off4 ,if1 however1 one has the latter1 a small screw-nail through it would keep it in place4 ,with one of these tips1 and the means of making an improvised binding with a few screw eyes and nails1 a washer or two1 and some straps1 the runner should be able to get home easily enough wherever his ski may break4 ,the reader must use his ingenuity in such matters1 remembering always that it is impossible to execute very elaborate repairs with cold fingers4 ,there are other odds and ends more or less useful on tour1 a description of which will be found in any dealer's list4 ,,part ,,iii4 ,,technical4 ,,preliminary ,,advice4 ,we would very strongly recommend the beginner to make his first efforts on some one or other of the good snow conditions described on pp4 #ba and #bb4 ,freshly fallen deep snow is especially to be avoided1 for not only does it afford heavy and difficult going1 but a fall in it is apt to be dangerous4 ,this is1 of course1 the reverse of what one would expect2 but what happens is that the ski sink in deeply1 and in the event of a fall they are apt to stick and sprain the ankle or knee4 ,the firmer the snow the better it is1 provided always that it be of sufficient depth and that it be fair snow1 and not ice-crust4 ,all things considered1 we would advise the beginner to learn to go slowly before he learns to go fast4 ,that is to say1 as soon as he can run straight fairly well1 we would have him learn how to regulate his speed and steer by means of what is known as 8stemming0 7see infra1 p4 #fi74 ,in practising this movement he will at the same time learn how to balance himself with the weight on one foot1 a necessary accomplishment2 for1 though in ski-running both ski are usually kept on the ground1 the weight is nearly always mainly on one foot4 ,it is well to pause and try to appreciate this very important fact before reading further4 ,after he has learnt something of stemming1 and provided that he has followed our instructions and used his pole as little as possible 7and then only as we direct71 he should not find much difficulty in acquiring some speed in glissading4 ,he should then begin to take short tours of1 say1 an hour or two's duration1 gradually lengthening them as his proficiency increases4 ,he should when on tour endeavour to apply the knowledge which he has gained on the practice ground1 and on the practice ground he should try to overcome those difficulties which he has encountered on tour4 ,there is no sense in keeping on climbing up and sliding straight down the same easy hill2 yet such is the commonest form of ski-ing at fashionable ,swiss winter resorts6 ,as soon as the beginner can 8turn on the spot10 run straight fairly well1 and 8stem10 he can 7we do not say he should7 go where he pleases4 ,he will1 however1 remain slow and awkward1 and he will miss a great deal of the beauty of the sport if he rests content with these easy accomplishments4 ,we trust that he will be of a more ambitious disposition1 and that he will proceed to the mastery of the 8,s0 turn and of the 8,telemark0 and 8,christiania0 swings2 and we strongly recommend him to learn something of jumping1 not only on account of the amusement which he will certainly derive from it1 but because it is the very best means of gaining a good balance for ordinary running4 ,it is of the greatest importance to cultivate a freedom and elasticity of movement and position4 ,the muscles should be as strong as iron1 but as flexible as rope4 ,the knees should be pliant1 and should act like the springs of a carriage in relation to the rest of the body4 ,be watchful1 but courageous1 and try hard not to fall4 ,,lean ,,forward6 ,lean forward is the watchword of the ski-runner1 and it is just as well to explain what is meant by it before proceeding further4 ,place your ski parallel1 one about a foot in front of the other1 and throw the body forward as much as possible2 one ought to feel as if about to fall on one's nose4 ,to the onlooker one seems to be standing on the entire sole of the foot1 but in reality all the weight rests on the front part and the toes4 ,thus1 stand erect on the ski1 the knees a little bent1 and then lean forward without bending any part of your body 7especially not the region of the hips7 and without raising the heel2 then you ought to feel what is meant4 ,never assume a position as if sitting down or about to do so1 because that would press down the heel4 ,every violation of this great rule of leaning forward is punished by the ski 8bolting0 from under one4 ,,to ,,lift ,,the ,,point ,,of ,,the ,,ski4 ,to lift the point of the ski seems a very simple matter1 but it is at least ten to one that the novice will do it wrong4 ,press the heel of the ski down on the ground with your heel1 and lift the point upwards with your toe4 ,do not raise any part of your foot from the ski4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ac4--,turning on the ,spot4 ,to lift the heel of the ski reverse the above4 ,here it will not be possible to keep the heel of the foot on the heel of the ski1 but the binding will raise the latter from the ground to some extent4 ,,turning ,,on ,,the ,,spot4 ,turning on the spot is a puzzle to the beginner1 though simple when shown4 ,lift one ski straight to the front 7see ,fig4 #ac 7#a771 putting the heel end as far away from you as you can1 then turn it outwards and away from you smartly1 swinging the point right round and leaving the heel resting on the snow1 then put it down1 point by heel1 alongside of the other ski4 ,this twisted position 7,fig4 #ac 7#b77 is the only difficulty1 but very few attempts will soon show that it is not so bad or cramped as it seemed at first4 ,in this position hold the knees slightly bent4 ,lastly1 raise the point of the other ski and swing it round4 ,you will find it easier to learn this movement with the assistance of your stick1 which should first be held obliquely across the body1 pointing in the opposite direction to that in which you are turning4 ,then after assuming position 7#b7 shift it across as in 7#c71 and lastly swing round the other ski4 ,as soon as you are proficient with the help of the stick practise without it--and1 of course1 both to right and to left4 ,it is not necessary to stand on the snow in order to learn these movements4 ,the carpet will do1 but remove all ,dresden china from the immediate neighbourhood4 ,,walking ,,with ,,ski ,,on ,,the ,,level4 ,walking with ski on the level differs from ordinary walking or skating in this1 that one must not strike out1 there being no fulcrum or point of resistance4 ,keep the ski parallel and as close together as possible 7closer than shown in the diagram71 for a narrow spoor has many advantages1 besides being 8good form40 ,throw the weight of the body forward and slide on the advanced leg2 the 8hind0 leg must be absolutely disengaged--that is to say1 do not strike out by trying to press the snow with it4 ,begin with long1 slow steps1 lunging forward with bent knee 7,fig4 #ad74 ,do not lift the ski from the ground1 but slide along regularly and conscientiously2 do not hurry or flurry1 but save your breath4 ,in one's first steps one must specially cultivate precision1 sliding forward with ski exactly parallel1 and distributing the weight properly4 ,lean forward6 slide6#g ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ad4--,on the ,level4 ,the ski should be kept closer together than shown4 ,the closer the better4 ,a single stick on the level is of but little service1 but with two sticks the pace can be considerably increased1 especially on a good firm surface4 ,both sticks should be thrown forward simultaneously1 and the slide on the advanced leg accelerated by a vigorous push with both arms4 ,when proceeding in this way it is well to observe some kind of rhythm2 and1 as the snow is seldom slippery enough to admit of a push at each step1 one should run1 for example1 one1 two1 three steps 7swinging the sticks forward71 and then push with the arms1 sliding on1 say1 the right leg2 then run one1 two1 three steps and push1 sliding on the left leg1 and so on4 ,,up-,,hill4 ,to the laity it is a matter for wonder how it is possible to climb any considerable hill at all on ski4 ,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 winter4 ,he had tried ski himself1 but had made very little of them1 and the pass in question is a stiff one to negotiate even in summer4 ,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 ,magnus1 8,there exists no mountain1 however high1 which by means of cunning by-ways he 7the ski-runner7 cannot surmount40 ,illustration3 ,a ,,stiff ,,climb4 ,photo by ,e4 ,c4 ,richardson4 ,it is1 however1 well to observe here that some of the accounts of the ease with which one can climb hills on ski have been exaggerated4 ,in rare conditions of perfect snow one may perhaps ascend as quickly as in summer1 but1 roughly speaking1 it may be said that ski are about twenty-five per cent4 slower up-hill than boots4 ,we are here1 of course1 speaking of climbing a steep mountain where it is necessary to zig-zag 7see infra71 and not of walking straight up a moderate slope4 ,moreover1 whether we slide the ski upwards in winter or whether we carry a corresponding weight on our backs in summer1 the fact remains that some #ajlb4 or so have to be raised so many feet1 and we are handicapped to that extent4 ,where ski really have the advantage is after the summit has been reached--of which more anon4 ,up to a certain degree of steepness 7varying with the quality of the snow7 there is little or no difference between the methods used for climbing and for walking on the level4 ,snow is not an absolutely slippery substance1 and the ski always adhere to it to some extent4 ,there comes1 however1 very soon a point beyond which we can no longer slide as on the level1 and shortly after-wards another1 where the force of gravity overcomes the 8stickiness0 of the snow and we begin to slip back4 ,these points are very different with the expert and the beginner1 and the former will slide easily straight up a slope upon which the latter will slip hopelessly4 ,in ascending a steep incline the art lies 7#a7 in knowing 7and only experience can teach one7 just how steeply one can go without a slip2 7#b7 in the correct placing of the ski in the snow2 and 7#c7 in the correct balancing of the body upon the ski when so placed4 ,the correct placing of the ski is not a difficult matter4 ,the secret lies in raising the point of the ski 7see p4 #ec7 an inch or two from the ground and bringing it straight down with a firm stamp4 ,the stamp is at first nearly always made too gently by ladies and too hard by men4 ,imagine you are cracking a walnut--that will be about right4 ,remember that where the foot is brought down there it must stop4 ,if it slips even the least tiny bit you must stamp again4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ae4--;,climbing a slope4--s the fall of the slope2 t turn here4 ,the shaded parts are obstructions 7rocks1 thick growth1 c474 ,next bring the weight forward as evenly as possible on to the ski you have stamped1 and advance the other leg4 ,in doing so take the greatest care to balance the weight of the body straight over the stamped ski2 lean neither backwards nor forwards1 or you are certain to slip4 ,in hill-climbing it is1 of course1 expedient to go as steeply as possible1 but the beginner will find that it pays best to take things easily at first1 as a single slip backwards is more exhausting than twenty steps forwards4 ,to negotiate a steep slope one must go across and upward at a convenient angle1 making a zig-zag track1 as an engineer would plan a good mountain road 7,fig4 #ae74 ,turn at the corners as described1 p4 #ee1 and when so doing remember to assume a safe standing position1 for a slip on a steep slope may be attended by unpleasant consequences4 ,the correct position in which to stand before turning is clearly with the ski horizontally in space--that is to say1 at right angles to the direction of the gradient2 then one cannot slip while engrossed in the task4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #af4--8;,herring-boning40--,the figure is in the act of lifting the right ski over the heel of the left4 ,the light lines are his tracks4 ,,note4--,swing the body well1 as shown4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ag4--;,hill climbing sideways4--,used only on very steep slopes4 ,the light lines are old tracks4 ,the diagrams on page #ei show two other methods of hill-climbing which are chiefly useful for short slopes4 ,they are both too fatiguing to be employed for any length of time4 ,a modification of the style shown in ,fig4 #ag is1 however1 very useful1 especially on crusted snow4 ,it consists in going forwards and upwards at the same time1 lifting the ski at every step4 ,this is not so very tiring1 and may on a hard surface be kept up for a considerable length of time without undue fatigue4 ,the track formed will appear as under4 ,illustration3 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ,it is important when proceeding in this way to remember1 when lifting the upper ski1 to raise its heel from the snow 7see p4 #ee7 and place it well up-hill in a horizontal position4 ,most beginners move only the front part of the ski1 and place it in the snow with the heel pointing down hill4 ,even if the upper ski does not slip in this wrong position 7as usually happens71 the lower ski1 when it comes to be lifted1 is sure to be placed across the heel of the upper ski1 imprisoning it and preventing the next step being taken4 ,you are certain to make this mistake very frequently at first1 and it will land you in all sorts of difficulties and entanglements1 but do not forget that we warned you against it4 ,a single stick is not of any very positive assistance up-hill1 though it has a negative value on very steep ground both in aiding the balance and in giving a feeling of security against slipping4 ,in traversing a slope it should be held across the body with the point touching the snow on the upper side4 ,the beginner will also find it useful to assist him in rising to his feet after a fall4 ,he should1 however1 entirely abandon all idea of pulling himself up-hill with his stick2 to do so is quite impossible4 ,balance is what is required1 plus a little thigh muscle1 which will come with practice4 ,two sticks are1 however1 of considerable help1 especially on moderate slopes up which it is possible to go straight4 ,they should be placed in the snow alternately1 after the manner which nature dictates4 ,in traversing steep ground they cease to be of service1 for the lower one is not long enough to reach the slope below one's feet1 and the upper one cannot be used effectively on the bank at one's side4 ,under such circumstances it is better1 and safer1 to hold them together and to use them as one1 as described above4 ,in general for long climbs it is best to go comparatively slowly and to 8keep at it40 ,the speed of a party should be that of the slowest man4 ,if you happen to be that unfortunate individual1 don't lag behind if you can help it1 but don't hesitate to shout to the others if they are going too fast for you4 ,if1 however1 they are novices and persist in rushing1 slow down and go your own pace4 ,it is not at all improbable that if you go steadily you may be the first at the top1 after all2 but even if you arrive twenty minutes later than the others you are in no wise dishonoured4 ,strictly between ourselves1 we rather like to be last man1 and to allow our more energetic friends to go on ahead4 ,the last man has far the easiest place on a newly made track1 and we do not thirst for the glory of breaking the snow4 ,but1 of course1 a properly organised party should keep together1 and its members should take it in turns to go ahead4 ,it is in itself a pleasure to move steadily upwards in this way1 the ski and the sticks keeping time1 and it makes the way seem shorter and easier for everybody4 ,one concluding word of advice may here be given4 ,eat your lunch some little distance below your intended highest point4 ,the tops of mountains and passes are apt to be draughty1 and1 besides1 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 about4 ,,gliding ,,down4 ,gliding down is the characteristic part of ski-running1 as distinct from the use of pattens1 ,canadian snow-shoes1 c4 ,it is the reward reaped after the labours of the climb4 ,the ascent is1 indeed1 a struggle against gravity1 but the descent is the highest advantage that any physical exercise can safely derive from terrestrial attraction4 ,let us imagine ourselves on the top of some long ,norwegian mountain ready for the plunge4 ,there is a clear course between the steep rocks near the top1 and an open run across the glacier below to the terminal moraine a mile off4 ,we can see every yard of the way1 and all is fair going1 yet we feel just the merest tinge of nervousness1 for the incline is steep1 and looks steeper than it is4 ,but there is really no danger1 so it is over the edge and off6 ,in an instant all fears are left behind1 for now balance and quickness of eye are to be put to the test1 and the wind is whistling and the snow dust spurting4 ,we whiz past the rocks and over a few inequalities1 negotiated here by a spring and a flight of a few yards through the air and there by a compensating yielding of the knees4 ,now we rush out on to the smooth surface of the glacier1 where there is no jar and no vibration4 ,our feet seem to have vanished1 and we lean1 as it were1 in space1 with the ice-wind pressed against us4 ,there is no more need for balancing1 and no thought of falling1 so even is the motion and so trustworthy the snow4 ,smoothly our wooden wings bear us onwards1 and the furlongs lie behind6 ,but the end approaches1 the slope becomes less steep1 the pace slackens1 and presently we glide gently up the opposite slope of the moraine and turn to watch our companions4 ,such is the best picture we can give you of a good straight glissade on ski2 but there is not the slightest reason1 friend novice1 why you yourself should not enjoy the reality ere long4 ,you must1 however1 learn to walk before you can run1 and we would have you make your first attempts on some quite easy slope1 removed if possible from the public gaze4 ,a few obstacles1 such as trees1 scattered about do not matter1 as you are not in the least likely to run into them1 and they serve to accustom the eye to their presence4 ,if possible1 let there be a gradual outrun at the bottom of the hill4 ,practise there awhile1 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 uneven4 ,to start on steep ground is a little difficult at first4 ,stand horizontally to the direction of the slope4 ,then as quickly as possible lift round first the lower and then the upper ski4 ,lean forward and off6 ,if you are quick and lean forward1 the ski will not bolt from under you2 if you are slow and hang back1 they will4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ah4--;,gliding on ski4--#a4 ,correct position2 #b and #c4 ,dangerous and incorrect4 ,the correct position for descending a hill is that shown in ,fig4 #ah 7#a7 above4 ,keep the ski parallel and as close together as you can 7touching if possible71 advance one foot about twelve inches1 and let the main weight of the body rest on the ball of the 8hind0 foot2 feel your way1 so to speak1 with the front foot4 ,lean forward4 ,bend the knees slightly1 and be as free and as elastic about them as possible4 ,practise with either foot leading4 ,avoid any affected and ridiculous pose4 ,do not1 for example1 if you are running without a stick1 hold the arms straight out from the body as though you were walking a tight-rope4 ,to do so may slightly assist the balance1 but you cannot run like this with a stick in your hand1 and it is far better not to get into bad habits4 ,no4 #c in the diagram 7p4 #fc7 is a very common attitude1 but it is as bad as bad can be4 ,the wide spoor is a cause of instability1 the extreme bending of the knee is a source of weakness1 and there is a very fair chance of the runner 7if he falls forward7 knocking out his front teeth against his stick4 ,hold that article clear of the ground in a safe position as shown 7,no4 #a1 p4 #fc71 and practise sometimes without it4 ,above all things1 do not lean backwards on to the pole1 for the consequence of so doing is that the upper part of the body is retarded in its speed1 and1 being thus left further and further behind1 a spill on lumpy ground becomes inevitable4 ,there is a right way of using the pole for braking and turning1 which will be explained further on1 but until some little skill in simple straight glissading is gained it is best not to trouble about this4 ,we strongly advise you in the meanwhile not to use the stick at all1 but1 for reasons previously stated 7see pp4 #dd and #de71 to practise with it held in the hand clear of the ground4 ,double sticks should be held up one in each hand or trailed behind4 ,the position shown in ,fig4 #ah 7#a7 is the safest position for running over unbroken snow1 for by advancing the foot one lengthens the running surface and so glides more easily over any inequalities1 and by holding the ski together one is less disturbed by any lateral irregularities4 ,but on an icy road it will be found easier to run with the feet more level and somewhat apart1 for there another disturbing factor1 side slip1 comes into play4 ,so1 again1 when changes of the snow's surface are likely to occur1 causing the ski at one time to run freely and at another to stick1 it will be found better to crouch close down to the ground1 for by doing so one lowers the centre of gravity1 and is less likely to be pitched forward when entering the slow snow4 ,and there will be other occasions when the runner will find it necessary to more or less modify the position shown in ,fig4 #ah 7#a74 ,nevertheless1 this attitude may safely be considered the normal one for descending hills on ski1 and the beginner is recommended to study it carefully1 and to adhere to it as closely as circumstances will permit4 ,,falling ,,and ,,getting ,,up4 ,as to the former1 we beg to offer ,mr4 ,punch's advice to those about to marry--8don't40 ,every ski-runner falls more or less1 the beginner very much1 the expert very rarely4 ,but most novices are apt to throw themselves down far oftener than there is any occasion for4 ,do not1 therefore1 give up simply because you lose your balance a little2 very frequently if you try hard you will be able to keep upright4 ,if you make up your mind to 8stand0 down a difficult hill1 the chances are that you will succeed in doing so2 but if you are nervous and hang back1 you are almost certain to come to grief4 ,it is specially true of ski-running that fortune favours the brave4 ,when1 however1 a fall cannot be avoided1 we would advise you1 if possible1 to cast yourself down sideways and backwards2 but if the whole affair is beyond your control1 then relax every muscle in your body and let yourself go4 ,make no attempt to save yourself or stop rolling4 ,then there will be no snapping of tense sinews4 ,you will generally find out the easiest way of getting up for yourself1 but two little artifices may here be mentioned4 ,one is to get on to the back of your ski in deep snow2 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 rise4 ,,slight ,,changes ,,of ,,direction4 ,slight changes of direction can be made by leaning the body a little this way or that4 ,this is very easy1 and requires no explanation4 8,,skating40 ,another way of steering is to lift one of the ski and place it down in the direction in which one wishes to go1 at the same time striking out with the other foot as in skating4 ,this accomplishment is not exactly pretty1 but it is very useful4 ,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 speed4 ,it is1 however1 impossible to execute a very rapid turn in this manner4 ,a good way of practising 8skating0 is to do a sort of 8inside edge0 on any firm surface 7e4g41 a snow-covered lake7 on the level4 ,one strikes out with the ski in the same manner as with skates on ice4 ,,braking ,,with ,,the ,,stick4 ,this method of controlling the speed has been the subject of a good deal of discussion4 ,the objections to it are 7#a7 that it is a less powerful method than any of the others to be mentioned later on2 7#b7 that it requires greater strength2 7#c7 that the stick is liable to break and leave the runner helpless2 7#d7 that its constant use is conducive to a bad style of running1 spoiling the balance1 and making the learning of the other movements more difficult4 ,nevertheless1 we doubt whether even the cleverest novice will be able to stop quickly by means of the 8,telemark0 or 8,christiania0 swings for at least a month or two1 and most people will take far longer to learn to do them even moderately well4 ,how1 then1 are the poor things to manage in the meantime8 8,by snow-ploughing and by stemming10 you reply4 ,certainly1 but the fact is that with these methods when no stick is used it is quite impossible1 when travelling very fast1 to stop suddenly1 though with the help of the stick it is easy to do so4 ,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 expert1 as1 for example1 when traversing a steep and crusted slope with a precipice below it4 ,we propose therefore1 to deal with the proper way of managing it before proceeding further4 ,the important thing to remember in using the stick is to hold it quite short1 and as far in front as possible4 ,do not let it drag behind4 ,the accompanying diagrams illustrate a right and a wrong method4 ,note that in 7#a7 the left forearm and hand of the runner should rest against the inside of the shin of his left 7advanced7 leg4 ,the left hand serves as a fulcrum1 the long end of the lever being held in the right4 ,considerable power may be obtained in this manner1 but it is not always feasible on lumpy ground4 ,you must use your own judgment as to when to employ it1 bearing in mind the above principle4 ,but1 above all things1 do not assume the position depicted in 7#b74 ,here1 even though the entire weight of the body rests on the stick1 its braking value 7owing to the angle at which it touches the snow7 is very slight4 ,in this position the ski gradually slide further and further ahead1 leaving the stick1 with the runner clinging to it1 further and further behind2 all balance and all control are lost1 and as soon as a little inequality is met with a spill occurs4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ai4--;,braking with the stick4--#a4 ,a right way2 #b4 ,a wrong way4 ,there exists a way of sitting with the thigh on the pole 7not with the junction of the legs7 for braking on narrow1 steep1 and icy roads1 where all other means are simply out of the question 7see ,fig4 #bj72 and for the successful execution of this manuvre it is necessary to note the following points very carefully4 ,assuming one wishes to sit on the left thigh1 then the left hand grasps the end of the pole which protrudes below4 ,let this hand be close to the seat1 and let the part of the stick between hand and point be as short as possible4 ,the right hand rests on the right knee1 and seizes the upper end of the pole4 ,this is important1 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 distances4 ,the leg--the one on which one sits 7in the example to the left7--is stretched out in front1 and by shifting the weight from the ski to the point of the pole one can stop instantly1 even on clear ice4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bj4--;,correct stick riding4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ba4--,snow ploughing4 ,showing a method of using the stick4 ,,snow-,,ploughing4 ,we now come to a better method of stopping and braking4 ,snow-ploughing is used for reducing the pace and stopping when running straight down4 ,in principle it is very simple1 and it is quite easy to learn4 ,the heels of the ski are pressed apart1 and the toes held together1 by which means a ,v-shaped kind of plough is formed1 the friction of which against the snow causes one to stop4 ,the wider the angle of the ,v the greater1 of course1 will be the braking power4 ,the weight is distributed evenly between the two ski1 and when the snow is hard both are turned slightly on to their inner edges4 ,when the snow is soft it is best to hold them flat4 ,the method is particularly serviceable on a hard road1 and under such conditions1 even when travelling fast1 it can be employed quite suddenly without fear of accidents4 ,but on soft snow any attempt to use it when running fast will result in the ski crossing and a fall forwards4 ,under such conditions nobody has strength enough to hold the ski apart4 ,one must accordingly stop 7by some other means7 and then1 if one wishes to proceed slowly1 place the ski in the ,v-shaped position and restart4 ,illustration3 ,,reconnoitring4 ,half-way up ,piz ,nier4 ,photo by ,e4 ,c4 ,richardson4 ,the stick is a useful adjunct to snow-ploughing1 and ,fig4 #ba shows a serviceable way of holding it4 ,,side-,,slipping4 ,on very steep slopes1 especially if such be icy1 it is sometimes necessary to slip down sideways4 ,this is simply accomplished by holding the ski at right angles to the fall of the slope and keeping them flat on the snow 7or ice-crust7 instead of edging them4 ,the stick is held in the snow above the runner1 and assists him in preserving his balance1 for the motion is necessarily somewhat irregular4 ,side-slipping is1 however1 nothing but a method of descending a dangerous slope where snow-ploughing1 8stemming10 c4 7see infra71 are out of the question4 ,it is not amusing or pretty1 but merely occasionally useful4 ,,stemming4 ,stemming is akin to snow-ploughing1 and by some ,german writers the stemming position is termed the half-snow-plough position4 ,it is a most valuable way of reducing the speed when traversing a slope which one does not desire to1 or cannot1 descend straight1 and it is also of great service for turning and stopping under all circumstances4 ,whilst of ancient origin and known to all good ,norwegian runners1 stemming is but little used in ,norway4 ,the chief reasons for this are that the ground in that country is not in general steep enough to necessitate traversing1 and that most ,norwegians are from early childhood familiar with the more difficult ,telemark and ,christiania swings4 ,on the ,continent1 however1 the ground is usually steeper and the skill of the runner less1 and there stemming has been found to be very useful4 ,we have no hesitation in recommending the beginner to learn it at this stage if he wants to tour as soon as possible1 and eventually to become a good all-round ski-runner4 ,at ,lilienfeld1 a small village near ,vienna1 stemming was hit upon1 quite independently1 by a ,herr ,zdarsky 7an ,austrian gentleman to whom we have already referred71 who turned a philosophical mind to its scientific development4 ,the description which we give of it is practically the same as that given in his book4 ,herr ,zdarsky recommends the use of his own special binding1 and employs a shortish1 smooth-bottomed ski with a bluff entrance4 ,we have found1 however1 that the movements can be made with any good firm binding and with any ski1 though they are undoubtedly easier1 both to learn and to accomplish1 on a flat-bottomed short ski1 than on a relatively long and grooved ski4 7,see p4 #cb47 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bb4--,stemming4 ,in learning stemming one distinguishes between the 8glider0 7the sliding ski7 and the 8braker0 7the stemming ski74 ,on a hillside the glider is the upper of the two4 ,the glider must point in the direction in which one wishes to go4 ,the lower ski1 the braker1 is kept a little behind the other1 so as to prevent the glider crossing it1 and is held in the position shown in the above diagram 7,fig4 #bb74 ,in order to ensure smooth and accurate progress it is highly important to remember to keep both ski flat on the snow4 ,begin by running obliquely across and down a good steep slope in this position1 keeping all the weight of the body on the glider1 and merely brushing the snow lightly with the braker4 ,choose a gradient of sufficient steepness to keep you moving at a rate of1 say1 three or four miles an hour1 and endeavour to run smoothly and to keep in a straight line4 ,in practising this you will discover that by pressing more or less on the braker you can turn up-hill1 stop1 or go slow1 just as you please4 ,we accordingly formulate directions for so doing4 ,,to ,,turn ,,up-,,hill4--,press lightly on the braker1 edging it into the snow4 ,,to ,,stop4--,press hard1 and turn the body up-hill4 ,you will find yourself come round with a swing4 ,this method of stopping can1 of course1 be used anywhere--e4g41 on the level after running straight down1 where1 if one wishes to stop by 7say7 a turn to the right1 one stems with the left ski1 at the same time turning the body to the right4 ,,to ,,slightly ,,reduce ,,the ,,speed4--,press a little on the braker without altering your direction4 ,practise these three things patiently1 constantly remembering the injunctions3 ,glider flat6 ,weight on glider6 7or on braker1 to stop67 ,lean forward6 ,heels apart6 ,points together6 7which latter means that one must keep the tip of the braker close to the side of the glider1 and about a foot behind its tip74 ,on hard snow both ski will have to be edged so as to afford a grip on the impenetrable surface and to prevent side-slip4 ,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 going4 ,but let him1 all the same1 interpret these remarks as absolutely as he can1 and always try hard to hold the ski as flat as possible4 ,practise on steep ground1 because there mistakes are more easily discovered1 and the correct way soon proclaims its advantages4 ,fig4 #bc illustrates the proper position for the ski in stemming4 ,the arrow 8s0 is the fall of the slope1 for the reader is looking straight at the mountain2 8d0 is the direction in which the runner wishes to go obliquely across this slope4 ,this direction is on the whole that of the glider 8g40 ,the braker 8b0 brushes the snow with its entire length1 thus producing a broad track1 the direct evidence of the braking power--i4e41 friction4 ,therefore1 weight off the braker for going1 on for stopping4 ,the steeper the slope the wider must be the angle formed by the two ski4 ,the little circle 8p0 shows whereabouts the point of the pole should be--that is1 a little behind the upper foot4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bc4--,position for the ski in stemming4 ,the pole may be used to facilitate balance when executing these movements1 its point lightly furrowing the snow4 ,it will also be found to considerably assist a sudden stop1 for by pressing it into the ground and throwing all the weight on to the braker the glider becomes entirely disengaged1 and there is less chance of its crossing the braker1 as is otherwise apt to happen when running very fast4 ,hold the pole fairly short1 do not lean back on it1 and do not use it more than is really necessary4 ,,to ,,make ,a ,,down-,,hill ,,curve4 ,the foregoing section gave the beginner directions for turning quickly up-hill1 but how shall he1 when crossing a steep slope1 turn quickly down-hill and1 without stopping1 continue his traverse in the opposite direction8 ,to do this is evidently a most valuable accomplishment1 for if the runner cannot achieve it he is obliged at the end of his traverse to stop and turn as described on p4 #ee before he can start off again on the other tack4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bd4 ,a circular curve to the left4 7,o represents the pole47 ,this is the fall of the ,slope4 #a4--,you are coming obliquely from above1 in the direction of the arrow 8d40 ,first give a vigorous stem with the lower ski 8b40 ,then #b4--,let your body sink forward to the left2 pull heels more apart4 #c4--,now you are looking straight down the slope4 ,just before this moment you had time to change your stick over4 ,both ski flat4 ,weight on ski nearest this print4 ,note the position for the pole4 #d4--;,coming into stemming 8right40 #e4--;,done4 ,continuing your way stemming 8right40 ,here is the easiest way to learn4 ,first reduce the speed by a vigorous 8stem10 taking care not to turn up-hill in so doing4 ,then1 keeping both ski rigidly flat and holding the heels far apart and the points of the ski close together1 turn the body down-hill4 ,,lean ,,forward1 ,,and ,,throw ,,all ,,the ,,weight ,,on ,,to ,,the ,,outside 7,,lower7 ,,ski4 ,you will then1 if you have followed these directions in every particular1 come round with a delightful swish and find yourself starting off comfortably in the other direction4 ,change the stick to the other side of the body when about half round1 because at that instant one is almost stationary for half a second or so4 ,the more one pulls the heels apart the shorter and neater the curve will be4 ,if success does not follow1 it is due to some mistake1 such as not leaning forward 7one will then sit down71 or edging the ski 7they catch in the snow and overthrow the runner71 or not tearing the heels sufficiently apart and throwing the weight on to the lower ski 7which causes one to go off at a tangent instead of completing the arc74 ,the words of command for the curve are1 then3 ,lean forward6 ,ski flat6 ,heels apart6 ,weight on the lower ski6 ,the diagrams pp4 #gc and #ge should be of assistance in enabling the beginner to understand what is meant4 ,on a really steep hill it requires a considerable amount of nerve to make up one's mind to plunge for an instant headlong downwards4 ,one's natural inclination is to hang back and lean inwards1 but this is precisely what one must not do4 ,the stick will be found to be of considerable assistance in making this curve1 a little touch with it in the snow just as one is coming round being a great help to the balance4 ,when shifting it across as above described1 hold it rather short and place it in the snow well in front of you4 ,this will assist you in leaning forward4 ,do not1 however1 attempt to spin round leaning on it2 to do so throws the weight inside1 which is quite fatal4 ,it is1 of course1 perfectly possible to make the turn without a stick at all1 but to do so is difficult on very steep ground4 ,practise on a moderate slope to begin with2 when you become proficient move on to steeper and yet steeper places2 but1 of course1 look out for avalanches6 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #be4--,positions #a-e arranged on a curve4 ,it must1 however1 be remembered that in nature the movements follow so closely that the ski on the drawing would have to overlap4 ,the sweep of a well-made curve clears a semi-lunar space with a wall of snow at its lower rim4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bf4 ,shows this4 ,coming down a long and complicated slope one joins one curve to another without a break1 thus dodging the trees and rocks4 ,on a steep incline1 if there are obstacles in the way of a straight descent1 the ,s-track1 as it is called1 affords a safe reduction of speed and a prolongation of the pleasurable slide4 ,the ski-runner who has reached this stage enjoys himself wherever there is snow1 even if there be little of it1 for he can circumvent the patches where it has melted away4 ,the photograph on the opposite page shows what can be done after a single winter's patient practice4 ,it is a 8snake-line0 made in the winter of #aijc by one of the writers of this chapter1 and by no means an accomplishment requiring more than ordinary skill or talent4 ,the slope in question descends from ,alp ,laret1 near ,st4 ,moritz1 to the valley in which lies the world-famed ,cresta toboggan run4 ,the gradient is between #dj deg4 and #ej deg4 7#ee deg4 to #fj deg4 near the top71 and the vertical distance from top to bottom amounts to exactly #cjj metres 7#a1jjj;ft474 ,the small avalanche about the middle was started by the ski of the runner1 and the marks and remains of older avalanches on the left give sufficient testimony as to the steepness of the spot4 ,the length of the run must be at least half a mile1 and the entire distance was covered without a single fall or stumble4 ,may the beginner draw the proper conclusion3 that where there's a will there's a way1 and that both in this case are within the reach of the ordinary individual who can walk1 row1 shoot1 ride1 play tennis1 cricket1 or football4 ,what is it that makes the votary of the slender plank count the shortening days1 and greet with boyish glee the slowly falling flakes8 ,what makes him tremble with excitement at the sight of the whitening hills8 ,it is the memory of past delights1 the impatience to taste them again4 ,he sees himself on the top of the mountain4 ,from his feet a vista of stately firs on a slope of dazzling white stretches away into the valley a thousand feet below4 ,above1 the clear blue sky4 ,off he goes6 ,for ten minutes the swish of the spurting snow is sweet music to his ears2 for ten minutes he scorns the soaring albatross1 as he feels himself buoyed by the feathering ski1 swaying from curve to curve4 ,the excitement of the start has left him1 and though ten minutes may seem a short time he enjoys them to the full1 for he is calm1 and glides easily1 without a show of strength1 without effort or strain4 ,he feels the mighty power of the rush1 the living force which is gathering as he flies1 which drives him along1 but which is nevertheless under his absolute control4 ,he toys with the weight that impels him2 by small movements of his ski he steers and directs the energy within4 ,he can make the snow yield like water1 or resist like steel4 ,he is swung from turn to turn1 irresistibly1 but with safe and stately motion1 by the force which he commands2 he feels himself rocking softly1 like the petrel on the waves4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,snake ,,of ,,laret4 ,photo by ,w4 ,r4 ,rickmers4 ,then comes the end2 the stream at the bottom is near4 ,a sudden twist2 a swirling cloud of white1 and1 as the crystals settle glittering in the sun1 there one sees him firm and erect1 the ruler of the mountain1 the master of the snow and ski6 ,,the 8,,telemark0 ,,swing4 ,we now come to other more rapid1 more brilliant1 and more difficult methods of turning and coming to a sudden standstill4 ,the stemming turn can hardly be performed quickly when running very fast without the aid of the stick1 especially when long grooved ski are used4 ,but with the 8,telemark0 and 8,christiania0 swings1 about to be described1 a good runner can stop suddenly almost anywhere when travelling much faster4 ,it is indeed a worthy sight to see such a one come sailing past1 his every sinew as pliable and strong as the good ash beneath his feet1 yielding to each dip1 as a smart racing vessel yields to the waves4 ,twenty-five miles an hour he is travelling1 and not a furlong less4 ,to stop suddenly at such a speed seems impossible4 ,but1 swish6 and he is round as easily and as quickly as you can read these words4 ,how was it done8 ,it was all so rapid you could not follow4 ,you saw a little sinking on one knee--perhaps not even that4 ,the snow hid nearly everything4 ,you slide up to our friend and ask him to show you what he did4 ,he will be most polite and most anxious for you to learn--especially if he be a ,norwegian1 as will almost certainly prove to be the fact4 ,you will be shown just how to place your feet1 and just how to bend the knees1 and just how to lean the body4 ,and you will start off and fail hopelessly again and again4 ,by and by1 however1 especially if your teacher be an intelligent man who has had previous experience with beginners1 you will begin to understand the knack of the movement1 and by the end of the afternoon you should be rewarded by some measure of success4 ,but perhaps you may not be fortunate enough to meet with such a runner1 or1 what is by no means improbable1 it may be that1 though a clever performer on ski1 he is not a good instructor4 ,he makes the swing1 but knows not himself how he does it4 ,and small blame to him1 for how many people trouble to analyse the things they have learnt as children8 ,we venture to offer our services4 ,but is it possible to learn these subtle manuvres from a book8 ,most certainly it is2 but you must either take it with you into the field1 or else 7what is as good1 or better7 have some preliminary practice in your bed-room1 where you will have only your looking-glass for an audience1 and no small boy in the immediate neighbourhood to point the finger of scorn4 ,if you do this1 we are sure that you will learn very quickly1 or if you fail1 then our instructions must be wrong4 ,if1 however1 you simply glance through what we have written without making practical experiments1 book in hand1 we can accept no responsibility4 ,these turns are really not at all hard to make fairly well1 which is all that we can pretend to teach2 but to make them with certainty requires long practice4 ,and that is1 of course1 entirely your own affair4 ,we propose to deal with the 8,telemark0 first--not because it is easier or more useful1 for in this respect there is little to choose between them1 but because it is customary to do so4 ,besides1 the ,telemark is a much prettier swing than the 8,christiania10 and it will make a greater impression on your admiring friends should you be so lucky as to succeed in making one when showing off4 ,you will not find your stick 7on which we trust you are not in the habit of riding7 of the slightest assistance to you in learning either of these swings4 ,it may help you a little to make the ,christiania once you have acquired the knack of it1 but we are very doubtful even about that1 and we strongly advise that from now on you do not use it at all4 ,hold it in your hand1 except when jumping1 as previously recommended 7p4 #de71 but make no attempt to use it4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bg4--,the ,telemark swing4 ,each of these swings can be made in two directions--to right or to left2 and each has its special use for special occasions4 ,apart1 therefore1 from being a graceful accomplishment and from the excellent practice it affords1 it is of considerable practical value to be able to make all four of them4 ,nevertheless1 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 7see infra74 ,but the best runners can make all four swings1 and we recommend you to emulate their example4 ,the ,telemark swing is easiest in loose snow1 where there is little side slip4 ,we find it rather easier on the level than the ,christiania 7e4g41 to stop after making a jump71 but it is more difficult to make quickly on a hillside1 and in general it is not quite so rapid as the ,christiania4 ,fig4 #bg 7a7 shows the position in which the body and limbs are held throughout a ,telemark swing to the left4 ,it is convenient to call this position the ,telemark position4 ,fig4 #bg 7b7 shows the position which the ski assume after the swing is over4 ,the following directions are for making a ,telemark swing to the left4 ,the directions for making a ,telemark swing to the right are identically the same1 substituting left for right and right for left throughout4 ,,to ,,make ,a ,,telemark ,,swing ,,to ,,the ,,left4--7a7 ,from the normal position for running down 7see p4 #fc7 advance the right ski till the right ankle is opposite the bend of the left ski4 ,raise the heel of the left foot off the left ski1 bend the left knee1 and throw all the weight forward on to the right foot4 7,this is what we mean by 8the ,telemark position407 7b7 ,place the right ski slightly on its left edge and turn and lean the whole body to the left4 ,if these directions are correctly carried out1 the runner will come round with a sweep1 the sharpness of which will depend upon the force with which he turns his body as advised in 7b74 ,an excellent way of learning this turn is to practise running straight down hill in the ,telemark position4 ,note especially to raise the heel of the left foot as shown4 ,this is highly important1 and is1 in fact1 the key to the whole affair1 for if the runner raises his heel he is almost compelled to throw the weight forward on to the right foot1 and if he can once succeed in doing this everything else is comparatively easy4 ,so remember to raise the heel of the left foot and to kneel well down on the left ski4 ,cultivate as narrow a spoor as possible1 and as soon as you can run straight like this at a moderate speed try turning the body ever such a little4 ,look the way you wish to go4 ,you will be delighted to discover what a small amount of turning will cause you to come round very quickly4 ,to compensate for the centrifugal force exercised by the turn on the upper part of the body1 you will have to lean inwards2 in fact1 after you begin to get the knack of the thing1 you are pretty certain to be thrown outwards once or twice4 ,but do not trouble about that too much2 do not at first make any conscious effort to lean inwards1 or you will probably fall in that direction2 you will very soon begin to compensate for the outward throw quite unconsciously4 ,do not try to turn too quickly when learning1 but rather take matters easily2 speed will come by and by--in which connection note that both the 8,telemark0 and the 8,christiania0 are swings and not jerks1 and that1 however rapidly they be performed1 the body should be turned crescendo and not 7to continue the music metaphor7 sforzando4 ,another capital way of practising is to stand on some level space at the edge of a steep hill in the position shown in ,fig4 #bg 7a7 and then to slip over the edge and instantly to begin to swing4 ,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 speed4 ,the following diagram shows graphically how to do so3-- ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bh4--;,a ,c ,b is the edge of a steep slope falling in the direction of the arrow4 ,stand at the point ,c4 ,slip over the edge1 and at once make a swing to the left1 stopping at ,e4 ,walk up the dotted line to ,o1 turn 7see p4 #ee7 and return to ,c4 ,then make a swing to the right1 stopping at ,d1 and returning to ,c via ,l4 ,next1 run a little further down1 and swing to ,g1 c41 c4 ,in this manner the difficulty of the swing is gradually increased4 ,the 8,telemark0 swing can also be used to make down-hill turns in the manner described above1 p4 #gb1 and the principles there given hold good here1 except that the 8,telemark0 position1 instead of the stemming position1 is held throughout4 ,a succession of ,s turns made in this way looks very pretty1 but on a very steep hill their execution becomes rather uncertain1 for the snow1 unless perfect1 is apt to slip irregularly1 and with a true 8,telemark0 the stick is no use to help matters out4 ,we have found1 however1 that a sort of half-stemming1 half-8,telemark0 position plus a little stick is useful in inducing long ski to come round4 ,,the 8,,christiania0 ,,swing4 ,the 8,christiania0 swing differs materially from the 8,telemark0 swing in this1 that in making it the normal position of the ski is retained1 and the turn is effected in the direction of the advanced foot--that is to say1 to the right if the right foot is leading1 and to the left with the left foot in front4 ,it is easiest on hard snow and on steep hills1 where the ski are liable to skid1 on which ground the 8,telemark0 is especially difficult4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #bi4--,the ,christiania swing4 ,the term 8,christiania0 swing for this movement appears to be a misnomer4 ,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-running4 ,we are inclined to suspect that the name is of ,continental origin1 for1 though we practised the 8,christiania0 years ago in ,norway1 we never there heard it called by any other name than 8,telemarking40 ,be this1 however1 as it may1 the turn in question is a perfectly distinct one1 and well deserves a name of its own1 and1 as it is known all over ,switzerland1 ,germany1 and ,austria as the 8,christiania10 we have not dared to take upon us to alter the name4 ,besides being easier in shallow snow and on hillsides than the ,telemark1 the ,christiania is considerably the more rapid swing of the two1 and a skilful runner can by means of it stop suddenly when travelling at almost any speed4 ,fig4 #bi shows the position which the ski usually assume after a swing to the right is over1 but diagrams are1 in describing this turn1 of very little value1 for the great secret of success is to endeavour to hold the ski in the normal position 7see p4 #fc7 throughout4 ,here are formal directions for making the swing to the right4 ,to make it to the left all that is necessary is to substitute left for right and right for left throughout4 ,,to ,,make ,a 8,,christiania0 ,,swing ,,to ,,the ,,right3--7a7 hold the ski in the normal position 7see p4 #fc71 press the feet close together and distribute the weight evenly on both ski4 ,bend both knees a little4 7b7 ,gently swing the whole body1 but especially the region about the hips1 round to the right1 at the same time leaning in that direction1 throwing the weight on to the heels and edging both ski4 ,you will1 when you have mastered the knack of the movement1 be astonished how quickly you will come round4 ,the ski will assume the position above shown1 and the weight will of itself fall almost entirely on to the right foot4 ,this latter fact accounts1 we believe1 for the directions commonly given for making this turn--viz41 to swing almost entirely on the inner 7here the right7 foot and to place the ski as shown4 ,this was also the description given in the first edition of this book1 but a closer analysis and more experience in teaching have induced us to alter it4 ,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 tangent4 ,to avoid this it is necessary to press the ski tightly together throughout and to begin the turn with the weight evenly distributed on both4 ,beginners will find that the great difficulty in this swing is to get it started4 ,it involves a peculiar kind of catch of the back part of the ski in the snow1 which is very difficult to explain4 ,perhaps it will assist you to arrive at the sort of 8feel0 of the movement if you place a chair in front of you and then 7standing before it in the normal position1 and without moving the feet7 endeavour to sit down on it4 ,in this turn also the precepts given above as to swinging easily and not jerking1 and leaving the lean inwards to take care of itself1 apply4 ,it may also be practised after the manner shown in ,fig4 #bh4 ,as a substitute for stemming a little of the swing is very useful for braking when traversing a steep slope4 ,to practise this select a steep hill and run straight for a short distance obliquely down and across it2 then make a little of the swing1 reducing the pace2 then run straight again2 and so on4 ,this is also a very good way of learning the turn itself4 ,there seems to be no reason why one should not make ,s turns by means of the 8,christiania0 swing1 though to do so must be rather difficult4 ,in order to save time in changing the foot1 skilful runners when threading their way through a wood 7for example7 usually make their turns by the 8,telemark0 for one direction and the 8,christiania0 for the other4 ,in the above description we have advised the beginner to learn the 8,christiania0 swing in the normal position with one foot leading1 but it can also be made with the feet perfectly level4 ,we well remember our delight and astonishment on one occasion when we saw a first-class ,norwegian runner1 after making a #gj;ft4 jump1 and when travelling at a great speed1 avoid colliding with a friend and two trees by making with wonderful rapidity three 8,christiania0 swings--left1 right1 and left4 ,there are1 of course1 other ways of combining these various methods of turning which an expert employs quite unconsciously4 ,indeed1 it is highly probable that your ,norwegian friends will never even have heard of a 8,stemming turn0 or a 8,christiania swing10 any more than a ,south ,sea islander has heard of a verb or an adjective4 ,this does not1 however1 prevent the ,norwegian from being an expert on ski or the coloured gentleman from being a fluent speaker4 ,nor has it any bearing on the fact that you as a foreigner will find a grammar of assistance in learning ,kanaka4 ,it is our hope that the classification we have adopted may similarly prove of assistance to you in becoming a proficient ski-runner4 ,,jumping4 ,by ,e4 ,c4 ,,richardson4 ,so many strange and perverted ideas prevail in ,england and on the ,continent as to what ski-jumping is1 that it is1 perhaps1 excusable to begin by mentioning a few of the things which it is not4 ,to begin with1 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 train1 jumping any minor obstacles1 such as houses or trees1 which happen to be in the way4 ,this is not so4 ,four or five miles per hour is very good going on the level1 and it is impossible to jump upwards from the level over anything higher than a small gooseberry bush4 ,again1 one frequently hears that ,norwegians are born on ski1 and jump before they can walk2 but1 though the writer of this article has made every inquiry1 he has1 so far1 failed to authenticate a single case in point4 ,the truth is that ,norwegians of all ages are fond of ski-running and jumping1 but1 owing to such things as the melting of the snow in summer1 extreme youth and old age1 business and the like1 only a comparatively small number are worthy to be called real experts4 ,further1 it is not the fact that a special exercise place1 with an elaborately built take-off1 is essential4 ,on most hills it is possible to build1 in a few minutes1 a jump which will give entertainment both to the skilful and unskilful2 and it frequently happens in the course of a tour that a little natural drop presents itself1 from which one may skim through the air for several yards before again touching the snow4 ,true that in ,norway hills are specially prepared and elaborate takeoffs built1 but these are chiefly used for competitions1 where long and difficult leaps and spectacular effect are required4 ,it cannot be too strongly insisted that the sport is wholly independent of such things1 and that1 whilst the jump affords by far the best means of judging the skill of a ski-runner1 its enjoyment is by no means dependent on elaborate construction or mere competition4 ,illustration3 ,,solberg ,,hill4 ,a successful leap4 ,the jumper's cap thrown off in flight may be seen behind him4 ,photo by ,d4 ,m4 ,m4 ,chrichton ,somerville4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #cj4--,the ,solberg ,hill 7near ,christiania47 ,metres4 ,length from start 7,a7 to take off 7,b7 #hb ,length from take-off to bottom of hill #hj ---- ,together #afb ,fall from ,a to ,b #bc ,fall from ,b to bottom #cb ---- ,together #ee ,the steepness of the hill in degrees is marked below the outline4 ,like other great sports1 ski-jumping calls forth the qualities of courage1 skill1 and endurance2 a good jumper must have a cool head1 a quick eye1 and1 above all1 a nice sense of balance2 but1 given these things1 it is open to all to succeed in some measure1 be they old or young1 born near the north pole or the equator4 ,these misapprehensions having been removed1 it is expedient to give a detailed description of what ski-jumping really is1 detailed instructions following later4 ,your attention is directed to ,fig4 #cj1 p4 #hg4 ,this represents the section of an exceptionally suitable hill4 ,the jumper starts from the point ,a1 and slides down to ,b1 where he leaps4 ,the impetus gained from his journey from ,a to ,b1 coupled with the leap1 sends him like a cannon ball through the air to ,c1 where he alights1 and continues his course to ,d4 ,here he usually stops himself by a ,telemark or ,christiania swing4 ,the distance from ,b to ,c is the measure of the length of the jump1 which may be anything up to #acd;ft4 7the record to #aijc71 according to the condition of the snow2 shape1 length1 and steepness of the hill2 and the skill of the performer4#h ,it will be seen from this that the jump is not a jump up1 but a jump down2 and it can readily be guessed that the difficulty lies not so much in attaining great length as in retaining an upright position on alighting4 ,it takes considerable practice to make a jump of #aj;ft4 and stand1 whilst anybody1 provided the hill be sufficiently steep1 can jump #ajj;ft4 and fall4 ,formerly1 in ,norway1 the take-off used to be so placed that the jumper alighted on the level1 instead of on the hill side1 and1 at first sight1 such an arrangement might be thought to make matters easier4 ,this is1 however1 very far from being the case4 ,a jump of anything over a few yards on the level involves a considerable shock on alighting1 which is not only unpleasant1 but renders 8standing0 a much more difficult matter1 whilst1 in the event of a fall1 serious injuries may result4 ,on the other hand1 a jump downhill is attended by little or no shock on alighting1 which makes 8standing0 much easier1 and falling nothing more serious1 in the vast majority of cases1 than a long roly-poly1 broken by the snow4 ,assuming1 then1 that the slope and snow are suitable1 the chief requisites to success are a sense of balance and great daring4 ,the bolder1 almost rasher1 one is1 the better4 ,the outlook from the top of a ski-jump of any magnitude is indeed alarming2 for note that the slope above the take-off is usually1 and properly1 less steep than that below2 and this means that a man of ordinary stature standing at the point ,a 7see diagram7 sees nothing of the slope ,b ,c1 and his sensations1 at least at first1 are as of one about to launch himself into a vast abyss4 ,the danger is1 however1 very largely imaginary1 and a bold1 coolly-calculated spring vastly increases the chances of standing4 ,but to proceed from these general remarks to details4 ,the ski used for jumping should be suited to the runner in accordance with the table given 7p4 #cd74 ,it is not easy to jump on ski shorter than this1 but they may very well be a trifle longer4 ,they should be rather on the heavy side1 so as not to flutter about in the air1 and in order to withstand the strain to which they are put on landing4 ,any good firm binding may be used which permits of vertical control over the ski4 ,no other special equipment is necessary4 ,the best snow for jumping is that which has been down for some days1 and which has been trodden by ski into a fairly firm mass4 ,the temperature of the air should be below freezing point4 ,on such a surface the ski will glide swiftly and at an even rate of speed1 sinking in about an inch or so--i4e41 sufficiently to avoid side-slip4 ,sticky snow is dangerous1 for the reason that it is apt to occasion a nasty fall forwards1 due to the checking of the ski on alighting4 ,for a similar reason1 very deep soft snow is to be avoided1 but it should be noted that freshly fallen snow will often cease to stick after it has been trodden down1 especially should the temperature of the air be low4 ,,how ,,to ,,select ,,and ,,prepare ,,the ,,hill4 ,as above mentioned1 we frequently come across natural jumps when on tour which require little or no preparation4 ,on most hill-sides there are places where sudden little dips occur4 ,give a kick or two with the ski just below such a dip1 so as to make the step 7see ,b1 ,fig4 #cj7 more pronounced1 and scrape together a little snow on the top of it to raise it somewhat4 ,then with half a minute's stamping about the spot where you intend to alight your preparations will be complete4 ,or1 again1 a stone lying on a steep hill-side may be pressed into service after the manner shown below4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ca4--,spraet hop1 made by piling snow above a stone lying on the hill-side4 ,care must1 of course1 be taken that the top of the stone be covered with snow4 ,this sort of jump1 the point of which turns upwards1 is called a spraet hop in ,norwegian4 ,it has the effect of throwing the runner high into the air and is excellent practice4 ,edges of cornices 7not1 of course1 large1 dangerous ones71 stumps of trees1 buried fences1 c41 c41 can often be used for take-offs1 and the runner when on tour should keep his eyes open for such1 as they cause very amusing variations to ordinary going4 ,but1 though when a little skill has been acquired one should practice on all sorts and kinds of places1 it is probably best to begin on something very easy1 in order to gain confidence4 ,choose1 then1 a good steep hill with a fair out-run at the bottom4 ,the gradient should be not less than #bj degrees1 but if it be steeper1 all the better4 ,it is a great mistake to begin on too gentle a slope2 a steep hill is far easier and far safer4 ,if you can find a hill with a little dip in it1 well2 but1 if not1 never mind4 ,first select the place for building your take-off4 ,this will usually be at the edge of the dip1 supposing you have found one4 ,if1 however1 the slope below this point is less than about double the length of jump you contemplate1 or1 say1 #bj yards in all1 you must place the take-off somewhat back from the extreme edge1 as shown in ,fig4 #cj4 ,but very likely you may not be able to find any suitable hill with a dip in it4 ,never mind2 a smooth hill will do quite as well1 or perhaps at first even better4 ,choose a point on it #bj yards or so above the bottom1 and build a long take-off there in the shape shown below4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #cb4--;,a long take-off built on a smooth hill4 ,this is the form of hill on which you should practise for some time4 ,do not at first let there be too much change between the slope of the take-off and of the hill below1 for the greater this difference the more difficult will be the jump4 ,in choosing a hill it is1 of course1 desirable to select one as smooth and free from difficulties as possible4 ,in ,nature1 however1 such are seldom to be found1 and one generally has to be content with something less perfect4 ,it is1 however1 to be noted that smoothness of surface and regularity of snow1 whilst everywhere desirable1 are of special importance for a distance of ten yards above the spot selected for the take-off1 and for about a similar length below the point of alighting4 ,so1 having chosen your hill1 stand down it once or twice to ascertain the best lie for the track4 ,then stamp the snow well down with your ski at the two important places above mentioned1 making lanes down them about nine feet broad1 and filling up any hollows with good firm snow4 ,then construct the take-off4 ,this may conveniently be done by making a little fence of tree branches to the height of a foot or so1 at right angles to the track1 and then filling up the space above them with layers of snow and more tree branches placed flat4 ,the structure should be made as firm as possible1 especially at the edge1 and it should combine with the hill above it1 so as not to leave any sudden angle at the join4 ,begin with quite a little drop--about #a;ft4 should be sufficient--and as soon as you can 8stand0 over that build higher and higher4 ,it is not necessary for practice to make a very wide take-off--#b;ft4 or #c;ft4 should be amply sufficient4 ,and in general do not waste valuable time which might be spent in jumping in building a very elaborate affair4 ,the case is1 of course1 quite different if the hill is intended for a competition4 ,in this event too much care cannot be taken to give every competitor an equal chance4 ,fig4 #cj shows an outline of the ,solberg jumping hill1 near ,christiania1 which may be taken as an example of what a hill ought to be4 ,the snow on a competition hill should be thoroughly stamped down with ski some hours before the intended jumping4 ,the take-off should be #c or #d yards wide1 and there should be plenty of men both above and below the take-off armed with rakes to keep the snow in order4 ,the spectators should not be allowed to approach too closely to the track4 ,the illustrations opposite pp4 #i and #hg show how this is arranged in ,norway4 ,,how ,,to ,,jump4 ,first study closely the figures in the diagram 7,fig4 #cc71 then read the following instructions1 referring back from time to time4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #cc4 ,showing position of limbs and body when jumping4 ,n4,b4--,many good ski-runners bring their ski quite level when assuming the crouched position before jumping4 ,the ski are omitted for the sake of clearness4 ,,the ,,approach4 ,imagine yourself1 then1 standing some #bj or #cj yards above the take-off4 7,the precise distance will1 of course1 depend on the steepness of the hill and the speed which you wish to attain2 but as regards speed do not attempt too much at first2 it is difficult1 of course1 to give an exact measure1 but a rate of about #e yards per second when approaching the edge of the jump should be sufficient to begin with47 ,see that your ski-fastenings are in order1 and polish your ski a little on the snow1 or on some fir branches or other twigs1 to remove any lumps adhering to the bottom of them4 ,be altogether without fear1 and start4 ,hold the ski close together1 with one of them somewhat in advance--say1 with the heel of the one foot about in line with the toe of the other4 ,about #ae yards or so before reaching the edge of the take-off bend down1 leaning a little forward 7see ,fig4 #cc74 ,n4,b4--,about this point many good jumpers bring their feet quite level4 ,,the ,,sats4 ,some few yards before reaching the edge swing the body evenly forwards1 at the same time straightening up4 ,this movement is termed the 8sats40 ,note particularly that no attempt must be made to lift the feet as in ordinary jumping4 ,the body should be swung evenly forwards1 and at the same time straighten up from the crouched to the erect position4 ,the movement1 if made vigorously1 does1 in fact1 cause a slight rising from the ground1 but it is best not to be too vigorous at first4 ,unroll yourself1 so to speak1 with an easy sweep1 avoiding all stiffness and jerking4 ,it may perhaps help you to understand what is meant if you make an attempt to rise on the toes4 ,you should not1 indeed1 actually rise1 but just at first1 if you make an effort in that direction1 it will probably assist you to arrive at the knack of the thing4 ,another very important point is the timing of the movement4 ,the body should be nearly straight just as the take-off is left4 ,therefore1 as the movement itself takes time1 the greater the speed at which you are travelling the earlier you must begin4 ,whilst1 on the other hand1 the more vigorous the straightening you intend to make the later you can defer it4 ,you are1 however1 advised to take things easily1 especially at first1 and to aim rather at accuracy and elegance of style than at mere length4 ,accordingly it will be necessary for you to begin the straightening movement rather early4 ,remember when you first learnt to shoot how often the tails of the rabbits and pheasants suffered4 ,for very similar reasons most beginners make the sats too late4 ,it follows from the above that the object of the sats is two-fold--firstly1 to increase the length of the jump1 and1 secondly1 to bring the body into the proper position for alighting4 ,the former is achieved by the straightening movement1 and the latter by the swing forward4 8,but10 you ask1 8why swing forward at all1 why not keep quite still80 ,the reason is that in descending all hills on slippery things like ski the body must be kept quite straight over them--or1 in other words1 at about right angles to the slope on which they are travelling4 ,this is sufficiently obvious4 ,but observe that in jumping the slope below the take-off is considerably steeper than that above 7see p4 #ic74 ,the body must accordingly be brought forward when passing from one to the other1 or a fall backwards will result4 ,and such is1 indeed1 the common fate of the beginner1 whose tendency is invariably to hang back6 ,now look at the spraet hop1 shown in ,fig4 #ca4 ,here the take-off itself is turned upwards1 and the difference between its direction and that of the slope below becomes greater than ever4 ,on such a jump it is especially necessary to swing well forwards1 for which reason it is the very best practice1 for once one has learnt to do that everything else is easy4 ,,position ,,in ,,the ,,air4 ,the whole body should be straight and erect4 ,so do not check the straightening of the knees and thighs if you have not quite finished your spring when you leave the take-off4 ,you will feel a compelling necessity to wave your arms round and round when in the air4 ,everybody does so more or less1 but1 of course1 your object should be to be reasonable in this4 ,frantic waving looks very ugly4 ,endeavour to keep your ski parallel to the slope below4 ,there is always a tendency for the toes to fly up and the heels to drag1 which should be checked as far as possible by pressing down the toes4 ,,on ,,alighting4 ,slide one foot forwards and the other backwards1 relieving any shock by a slight bending of the knees4 ,this extending of the feet is of great assistance in preserving the balance1 and with a little practice becomes almost instinctive4 ,resume as soon as possible the normal position--i4e41 ski close together1 one foot slightly in advance1 body slightly crouched4 ,as soon as possible after reaching the level stop yourself by making a ,telemark or ,christiania swing4 ,points to be remembered3-- #a4 ,don't be frightened4 #b4 ,ski close together4 #c4 ,swing forward1 8unroll40 #d4 ,extend ski on alighting4 ,pay great attention to your 8form10 which is all important1 as in rowing4 ,think of nothing else1 and you will soon succeed4 ,at competitions the prize is not necessarily awarded to the competitor who jumps furthest1 even if he 8stood0 after alighting4 ,for if the jump was made in bad style assuredly it was a fluke1 and will seldom be repeated4 ,all ski-jumpers fall more or less1 but it is equally a matter of surprise if the awkward should 8stand10 or the elegant and correct should fail4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the style of jumping above recommended is that known in ,norway as the ,svve--one swoops motionless through the air4 ,it is certainly the prettiest1 as well as the easiest to learn4 ,another method1 however1 exists1 known as the ,trkke op1 in which the leaper draws up his legs during his flight1 the object being to cover a longer distance4 ,this1 however1 however1 looks rather ugly 7according1 at least1 to most people's ideas71 and it is questionable whether one comes so much further with it1 after all4 ,illustration3 ,,leif ,,berg ,,jumping #ij ,,feet1 ,,at ,,glarus1 '#je4 ,photo by ,e4 ,jeanrenaud4 ,but there is yet another point which it is far more difficult to decide4 ,shall the runner jump with feet perfectly level or shall he advance one of them as shown in ,fig4 #cc8 ,as will be seen from the above description1 the writer has not ventured to speak positively as to this4 ,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 advance1 whilst on the other the general practice of many 7if not1 indeed1 most7 first-class performers undoubtedly is to keep the feet quite level4 ,the advocates of the advanced foot contend that extreme steadiness is of vital importance in taking the sats1 and that1 inasmuch as the advanced foot position is admittedly steadier than the other for glissading1 it should also be adopted at this stage4 ,in addition to which they argue that1 after the flight through the air1 when the runner first touches ground the advanced foot is the more stable position of the two4 ,on the other side1 those in favour of the 8level-footed0 style contend3--,firstly1 that to jump with one foot forward looks ugly 7and the writer is inclined to agree with them in this71 and1 secondly1 that it defeats its own ends1 for it involves leaning forward on to one foot1 and accordingly jumping chiefly with it4 ,and this 7they say7 is conducive to a crooked flight through the air4 ,it is not1 however1 apparent how this is a necessary consequence1 for in ordinary long-jumping the spring is taken almost entirely with one leg without the balance being in any way upset4 ,these are1 however1 theoretical matters1 as to which the reader interested may well be left to work out conclusions for himself1 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 choice4 ,is it possible that this is another question like that of the bindings and that perhaps it does not matter so very much1 after all8 ,or may not both sides be right8 ,may it not1 for example1 be best to jump with level feet when the track is smooth and easy1 but with one foot forward when it is irregular and difficult8 ,on the ,continent rough jumping on tour has hardly yet 8caught on10 everything being regarded1 so to speak1 through competition spectacles4 ,and perhaps this is why the level-footed style is there so much insisted on4 ,he1 however1 who limits himself to jumping at competitions and on elaborately prepared tracks will never be a really clever ski-runner1 and will miss a vast deal of the possibilities and pleasures of this branch of the sport4 ,,ski ,,mountaineering4 ,by ,w4 ,r4 ,,rickmers4 ,it is quite impossible to define exactly what constitutes mountaineering as apart from strolling and short excursions1 but its chief characteristics are distance from human dwellings and human help1 and the presence of special dangers4 ,the term 8mountaineering0 comprises a multitude of rules which teach how to overcome the difficulties and how to avoid the dangers of rising ground4 ,mountaineering is a science admirably expounded in a series of classical text-books1 the result of the experience of thousands of climbers1 and the essence of a literature of over #aj1jjj volumes4 ,from a subjective point of view mountaineering begins when a wanderer1 approaching a hill or mountain1 is conscious of the fact that he will meet with special conditions which demand a special knowledge4 ,and the minimum required of a man who wishes to be called a 8mountaineer10 a good mountain climber1 an expert1 is that as to the theory he should have 8,dent0 at his finger-ends 7,c4 ,t4 ,dent1 ,mountaineering1 ,badminton ,library72 and as to the practice1 he must be a man who can be trusted to attempt any peak in the world without endangering the lives of his companions4 ,now1 it would be absurd to try to teach mountaineering in a chapter of this book1 for it takes ten years at least to make a mountaineer4 ,still less dare ,i insult the mountaineer by advising him how to behave in his element1 for he will not go high and far until he feels at home on the planks4 ,by the time he has mastered the technicalities of ski-ing1 he knows everything about the outfit which suits him best1 and about his line of conduct on any expedition he may plan4 ,my remarks on the subject in hand cannot1 therefore1 be anything but a series of very general reflections and impressions1 simply intended as a loud warning to ski-runners that they should study 8,alpinism10 and as a gentle reminder to mountaineers1 that ski-running is a somewhat tricky complication of their art4 ,why should ,i tell the latter what type of ski to take on long tours1 seeing that he knows on which kind he travels best2 why should he ask me about his ice-axe when he is sure to take one or not according to the object in view8#i ,ski-runners1 unless they are climbing experts1 or accompanied by such1 must confine themselves to the usual practice-grounds and safe excursions1 for only a mountaineer can decide on the spot whether hill craft is necessary or not4 ,to explain how he arrives at this decision would mean a very thick volume4 ,the ski-runner1 therefore1 who wishes to form a correct opinion of his own should make up his mind to learn from amateurs1 guides1 and books how to look about1 think1 and behave when he leaves the beaten track where multitudes are accustomed to go unthinking and unadvised4 ,my random observations are to impress him with that necessity1 and for the mountaineer they shall be an epitome of familiar principles4 ,in the winter the problem of the avalanche eclipses all others4 ,the rule to go only with guides or experienced friends disposes of the general advice respecting glaciers1 crevasses1 slips1 strategy1 and discipline1 for in these things a man must train himself during many seasons4 ,the rule that only good ski-runners dare aspire towards high peaks saves a long repetition of detail as to outfit4#aj ,the ski-runner-mountaineer ought always to be a man who1 during his apprenticeship1 knew something of cold1 hunger1 slow companions1 and broken ski4 ,to have no spare gloves and no provisions1 to fall where one ought to stand1 to step on a hollow1 or to risk a dashing slide1 may have merely disagreeable results two miles from home2 but the same omissions and commissions can be suicidal1 nay1 even criminal1 when ten miles from the nearest human habitation4 ,if you wish to kill1 go alone1 and kill yourself1 for every party of mountaineers suffers for the thoughtlessness of each of its members1 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 unit4 ,extreme suspicion and wariness are the only correct attitude towards the mountains in their winter garb4 ,the number of factors which combine to prepare or prevent an avalanche is truly bewildering1 and any single one of them may be the prime mover or the reliable safeguard in a given instance4 ,and this one was perhaps overlooked in weighing the evidence4 ,the secret of the avalanche is the breaking strain and snapping point of an unseen tension4 ,avalanches owe their growth and collapse to some or all of the following indications3 ,the angle of the slope2 the surface of the ground2 the quantity of the snow2 the snow of a month ago1 of yesterday1 and to-day2 the temperature and the wind of a month ago1 yesterday1 and today1 while the snow fell1 or before it fell1 or after it had fallen4 ,and to consummate or prevent the catastrophy there are1 in conjunction with the above1 the temperature at the time of our arrival on the spot1 the weight of the party1 its methods of walking or ski-ing1 and sundry other accidents4 ,so many possibilities produce tantalising doubt rather than definite conviction1 and more often than not a slope1 which presents all the visible elements of danger1 may be perfectly harmless4 ,on the other hand1 well-known guides have walked into mouse-traps because one exceptional condition had altered the internal character of a particular slope which1 throughout their lives1 they had known as perfectly safe4 ,a strong sense of human weakness is therefore the proper frame of mind towards the mysterious and overwhelming power of the snow4 ,the mountaineer must condense the theory of avalanches into a few comprehensive rules of thumb1 and when in doubt he must give the benefit to himself and not to the avalanche4 ,,suspicious4--,every open slope of about #be deg4 or steeper1 and all new snow in warm weather4 ,a thaw after a heavy fall of snow is the most common cause of the thick and heavy slides known as ground avalanches4 ,,dangerous4--,every heavy accumulation of snow at an angle of #dj deg4 or more1 on long open slopes1 and in gullies4 ,at lesser angles all snow which lies on a hard and smooth surface 7grass1 earth1 old snow1 crust1 ice1 c474 ,hard snow under the lee of ridges4 ,this is liable to crack and to become suddenly transformed into what looks like a huge waterfall of lumps of sugar4 ,therefore1 one ought to cross such slopes as high up as possible4 ,the cornice which overhangs the ridge is more dangerous to those who walk on it than to those under it4 ,,safe4--,all slopes under #be deg2 all slopes evenly dotted with trees or rocks2 almost every perfectly homogeneous snow not deeper than #b;ft4 which lies on a rough surface 7screes1 c474 ,more cannot be said without conjuring up a flood of detail4 ,this experience and acquired instinct must fill in4 ,the tourist can find almost daily an opportunity of making experiments on a small scale1 though he should not forget that a cubic yard of snow can dislocate his arm or break his leg4 ,as an instance1 showing the effect of surface1 ,i may mention that1 in the ,alpine spring1 the grass slopes send down in huge avalanches the solid layer accumulated and consolidated during the winter4 ,at the same time the firm1 wet snow of exactly the same texture which lies on screes remains perfectly safe1 and affords splendid ski-ing4 ,it never slips off1 but gradually melts1 evaporates1 and vanishes as the summer draws near4 ,the only exact method of dealing with avalanches would be to make 8avalanche maps0 of popular centres4 ,in these maps the slopes and gullies which are always bad are coloured1 let us say1 red4 ,a blue slope would be dangerous under such and such conditions2 a green slope becomes threatening in the spring1 c4 ,on these maps all those expeditions should be marked which can be guaranteed as safe4 ,the fear of the avalanche must always be before the ski-runner's conscience4 ,all the rest is a matter of well-defined dogma1 of strict attention to well-known precautions1 which belong to the routine of every mountaineer deserving of the name4 7#a7 ,never go alone2 three is the minimum4 7#b7 ,one man at least must be an ,alpine climber of experience4 7#c7 ,all members of the party must be equal in skill4 ,these three commandments are the essence4 ,let a few comments suffice4 7#a7 ,the solitary mountaineer is a fool4 ,this is an article of faith4 ,permissible exceptions are rare4 7#b7 ,the experienced leader will tell his friends all about the crevasses1 outfit1 provisions1 the importance of an early start1 the duty of keeping together1 and the courage to turn back before the approach of the night or bad weather4 ,he will ask if everyone has his goggles1 spare gloves1 provisions1 snow-helmets1 repairing tools4 ,he will take from everyone the promise to be strictly obeyed4 7#c7 ,this is a necessary complement to #a and #b4 ,ten stumblers of equal proficiency are a good party1 for they will generally get as far as they deserve4 ,nine good men and one stumbler are bad1 for they will probably make that one poor man feel worse than he is4 ,on long tours only persons can go who do not fall when they have the will not to fall4 ,he is not a fit companion for difficult expeditions who is not sure that he can keep on his feet throughout the day4 ,a mountaineer never has a spill unless he forgets himself1 his companions1 or his surroundings4 ,,note4--,in our experience by far the commonest form of winter avalanche occurs when a ski-runner crosses 7or some other influence disturbs7 a long steep slope of freshly-fallen snow4 ,the weight of the runner is the last straw which causes the slenderly coherent mass to snap4 ,it does so with a curious report1 something like the cracking of thick ice on a frozen lake4 ,below the dividing line1 which may be half a mile long1 the snow slides off the hill-side much as it slides off the roof of a house1 forming itself into thick slabs like paving stones which accumulate one on top of the other1 and which ultimately overwhelm the runner4 ,the snow usually breaks only a short distance above the runner1 and consequently1 in the event of an accident1 search should first be made in that part of the mass which is highest up the hill4 ,freshly-fallen snow is accordingly quite the most serious danger of ski-running1 and1 inasmuch as it usually affords but poor going1 it is seldom worth while venturing far on very steep ground after a recent fall4 ,after a few days of fine weather1 however1 the snow settles down1 the avalanches run off1 and what remains becomes firmer and more crystalline in structure4 ,under the pressure of its own weight1 and owing to the peculiar property of regelation which solid water possesses1 the new fall attaches itself to the old crusts1 and the conditions become1 comparatively speaking1 safe4 ,it is a common saying amongst the ,swiss that it is unsafe to venture above the tree-line1 as long as any snow is left clinging to the trees on the sunny side of the valleys4 ,this rough test we have found to be a very useful one4--,,ed4 ,illustration3 ,,broad ,,peak1 ,,kashmir4 ,ski in foreground at a height of #bj1jjj feet4 ,photo by ,dr4 ,guillarmod4 ,,odds ,,and ,,ends4 ,,by ,e4 ,c4 ,,richardson4 ,,antidotes ,,to 8,,sticking0 ,,and ,,aids ,,to ,,climbing4 ,in warm weather snow is apt to stick to the bottom of the ski 7see page #bb74 ,it accumulates there in large watery clods1 and renders progress very slow and laborious4 ,under such circumstances the advice commonly given is not to go out at all1 and unless there is a prospect of better things1 either in the shade or higher up1 it is certainly best to stop at home4 ,nevertheless1 the boundary line between sticking and not sticking is an extremely narrow one1 and1 moreover1 one is not always sitting comfortably indoors when the trouble begins4 ,it is therefore important to consider what is to be done to avoid or cure it4 99 99 99 99 99 ,waxing the ski is the simplest plan1 and proves effective in the great majority of cases4 ,it is true that with waxed ski hill-climbing may become a matter of considerable difficulty1 for the wax is apt to carry matters too far1 and to make the surface unduly slippery4 ,but anything is better than carrying all that dead weight of snow1 and by using only a little wax under the foot 7where the sticking chiefly occurs71 by choosing an easy gradient1 and by side stepping1 c41 one can generally manage to get along somehow4 ,various kinds of wax are sold for this purpose1 and all are more or less efficacious4 ,there is1 however1 a difficulty with the solid kinds in inducing them to 8bite0 when the ski are cold and wet1 and the writer prefers the semi-liquid variety sold in tubes4 ,a tube of wax1 plus its attendant piece of rag1 takes up very little room in the pocket or rucksack1 and its weight is in no way commensurate with that of the lumps of snow which it is not infrequently its office to prevent4 99 99 99 99 99 ,sealskin4--,from time immemorial seal's 7or elk's7 skin has been attached to the bottom of the ski4 ,the hairs1 set towards the heel serve the double purpose of preventing the ski slipping backwards1 and of keeping the surface free from sticky snow4 ,until quite recently it has been usual to fix the skin permanently2 but whilst this works fairly well for certain purposes1 it is open to many objections4 ,the hair is a very serious impediment1 both down-hill and on the level1 for it not only reduces the speed1 but1 owing to its inherent 8wobbliness10 it renders steering and balancing much more difficult4 ,then1 again1 the hair soon wears out1 a day of hard snow being sufficient to quite spoil it2 or it tears1 or1 being wet1 the weather turns colder and it freezes solid4 ,but perhaps the most serious objection of all is the nasty feeling of a skin-clad ski4 ,there is a certain cleanness and crispness about the movement of the plain wood through the snow which one learns to love1 and which one sorely misses4 ,besides which there is much art in getting up-hill to the best advantage on uncovered ski1 and this keeps one's mind busy1 and greatly alleviates the labours of the climb2 whereas with the skin any duffer can get along1 and climbing becomes pure drudgery4 ,it is1 however1 certain that1 given a long and steep ascent where much zig-zagging is necessary1 or even an only moderately steep slope and hard snow1 one can with the skin arrive far more quickly and easily at the top than without it4 ,it will1 therefore1 either when attached permanently or when detachable as about to be described1 be found to be of great value for long and arduous mountain tours on steep ,alpine ground4 ,but even in the ,alps1 under all ordinary circumstances1 where ski-running1 and not the ascent of any particularly difficult summit1 is the object in view1 and where it is of no consequence whether one arrives an hour sooner or later1 there is no sense in encumbering oneself with unnecessary gear and spoiling the pleasant 8feel0 of the bare ash4 ,on undulating ground1 where one can usually go straight up and down hill 7as in most parts of ,norway71 nobody nowadays dreams of using skin in any shape or form4 99 99 99 99 99 ,detachable ,sealskin is quite a recent invention1 and is vastly preferable to the fixed article4 ,for it can be used for a long climb1 and removed when the summit is reached4 ,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 point1 a strap at the heel end1 and a few transverse straps4 ,but the plan is open to the objection that the skin is apt to slip about sideways1 and that the fixing of it is troublesome1 and takes time4 ,the latest method of fixing is that invented by ,messrs4 ,sohm and ,madlener1 and is highly recommended by those who have tried it4 ,but it involves boring two holes through each ski--an unpardonable sacrilege in the eyes of some people4 ,surely1 however1 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 lamb1 and bore holes or do anything else which may assist us in our fell 7joke67 design4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the detachable skin of ,herren ,sohm and ,madlener is sewn on to stout webbing1 and is only about half as long as the ski themselves4 ,it is attached to the ski immediately in front of the foot1 and reaches from there to the back end4 ,the arrangements for fixing it are extremely ingenious1 and permit of its being attached or removed with great rapidity4 ,the photographs and drawings 7p4 #ajh7 show exactly what they are4 ,a hole is bored in the ski just in front of the binding2 and another about halfway between it and the heel end of the ski4 ,through each of these holes a bolt passes1 the bottom of which is shaped like a flat sort of button4 ,the bolt sticks up through the ski2 and it is threaded and fitted with a wing-nut4 7,see ,fig4 a47 ,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 ski4 ,the front part of the skin is buttoned to the front bolt1 the middle part to the second bolt1 whilst the heel end has a strap sewn on to it by means of which the whole is first stretched perfectly taut1 and then secured by passing the strap round the heel of the ski1 and fixing it to a catch on the top of the ski4 ,the strap is fitted with eye-holes1 and the catch is of the simple1 but ingenious construction shown in ,fig4 b1 and in the photos4 ,the front part of the skin1 of course1 requires protection4 ,this is afforded by soldering two pieces of sheet brass together so as to form a sharp tent-shaped ,v4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #cd4--,the ,sohm-,madlener ,detachable ,sealskin4 7a7 ,bolt with button and wing-nut4 ,two are needed for each ski4 7b7 ,catch for securing strap leading from back end of skin4 ,the photos showing catch half open and shut4 7c7 ,lower side of front edge of skin1 showing sharp brass entrance4 7d7 ,upper side of front edge of skin1 showing button-hole on brass entrance4 7e7 ,lower side of middle of skin1 showing rivets for button-hole4 ,there should be six rivets instead of only four1 as shown4 7f7 ,upper side of middle of skin1 showing button-hole4 ,the measurements1 when not otherwise stated1 are in millimtres4 ,the skin1 mounted on its webbing1 is placed between the jaws of the ,v which are then closed and secured by a couple of copper rivets4 7,see ,figs4 c and d47 ,the 8button-holes0 on the skin are not1 of course1 of the ordinary kind4 ,the front one is shown in ,fig4 d4 ,the second one in ,fig4 f4 ,the front 8button-hole0 is cut out of the upper part of the tent-shaped brass ,v as shown in ,fig4 d4 ,the second 8button-hole0 7,fig4 f7 allows the button to slide backwards and forwards in it so as to permit of the skin being pulled quite taut4 ,this 8button-hole0 is made by simply cutting a hole and slot in another piece of sheet brass1 and attaching it to the skin by means of rivets4 7,see ,figs4 e and f47 ,n4,b4--,only four rivets are shown in this drawing1 but probably it is better to make the slot a little longer and to add another rivet at each side4 ,in fitting this kind of detachable skin to a pair of ordinary ski1 it is probably best to fill up the customary groove cut in the bottom of the ski4 ,the ski will then be devoted exclusively to steep mountain work where it is in any case advantageous to dispense with the groove4 7,see page #cc47 ,if1 however1 it is desired to retain the groove it will be advisable to make the button holes extra strong1 or else to make them up so as to fit close against the wood4 ,it will be observed 7as was mentioned above7 that the skin only covers about half the under surface of the ski4 ,to prevent snow sticking to the uncovered part in warm weather1 a liberal coating of wax may be applied1 or else 7as ,herr ,sohm advises7 the whole of the bottom of the ski may be painted with smooth and hard enamel4 ,this gives a very fast surface for running on1 and of course no slipping back need be feared when walking up-hill with the skin attached4 99 99 99 99 99 ,climbing ,irons4--,herr ,sohm recommends the use of climbing irons invented by him in combination with his detachable skin4 ,the object of the irons is to prevent slipping on very steep icy slopes4 ,the writer has had no experience of these1 and1 as criticism without practical knowledge is seldom of much value1 he prefers to leave the reader to try them or leave them alone1 just as he pleases4 ,this much may1 however1 be safely assumed that these appliances 7like the skin itself7 can only be of value to the skilled ski mountaineer desirous of making long and difficult excursions in the high ,alps4 ,they are 7as ,herr ,sohm himself insists7 quite unnecessary on ordinary ground1 and are certainly not for the beginner4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #ce4--,sohm's ,climbing ,irons4 ,the measurements are in millimtres4 ,see also the photos1 page #ajh4 ,the climbing irons are made of some strong metal unaffected by rust1 and their shape and the method of fixing them in conjunction with the skin is shown clearly in the accompanying diagrams4 99 99 99 99 99 ,tying a piece of rope to the bottom of the ski is resorted to by some in order to help them to get up-hill4 ,the writer has1 however1 never found this to be of much use4 ,it is true that if plenty of rope is used1 and if it is properly fixed 7no easy matter by the way71 it largely obviates slipping back2 but it also seriously hinders slipping forwards1 and necessitates a lifting or heavy dragging of the ski at every step4 ,snow is very apt to stick to the rope1 and of course no glissading with it is possible4 ,the net loss seems therefore to be greater than the gain1 though possibly there may be occasions when the reader may find something of the sort useful4 ,the plan has at least the merit of cheapness4 ,illustration3 ,,in ,,nordmarken1 ,,near ,,christiania4 ,photo by ,h4 ,abel4 99 99 99 99 99 ,dipping part of the ski into water is also recommended by some in order to help climbing1 the idea being to form a lump of ice on the bottom1 which may be removed when the summit is reached4 ,but this1 too1 is open to much the same objections as the rope1 and is scarcely worth while4 ,if it is to be adopted1 it is well to be provided with a metal paper-knife1 or something of the kind1 to scrape off the ice1 and1 incidentally1 it may be here mentioned that some sort of scraping appliance will always be found useful2 for cleaning one's ski with the stick or an ordinary knife takes a long time1 besides being apt to injure both the wood and the blade4 ,,common ,,faults ,,and ,,failings 7,mostly dealt with already1 but repeated here to impress the beginner74 ,i4--,,kit4 7#a7 ,too heavy clothes4 ,woolly clothes4 ,have light1 wind-proof1 smooth materials4 7#b7 ,tight boots with thin soles4 ,have large strong boots which won't pinch the toes1 even with three pairs of socks on1 and which won't buckle in the middle of the sole4 7#c7 ,ski brittle1 of bad shape1 or of great weight4 ,get some one who knows good ski to choose for you1 or1 if this is impossible1 send to a good maker for his best4 7#d7 ,too short gloves4 ,have long gloves to draw over the sleeves of your coat4 ,,ii4--,,condition ,,of ,,the ,,snow4 7#a7 ,abusing the snow4 ,the better the ski-runner the less he complains1 and vice vers4 ,notice how the good men manage4 7#b7 ,continuing a tour when danger may be expected4 ,only greenhorns and fools do so4 ,turn back1 and try another day4 7#c7 ,waxing ski when snow is just binding4 ,best not4 ,the slight clinging will help you up1 and won't interfere seriously with the run4 ,probably1 too1 it will be colder higher up4 ,,iii4--,,technique4 7#a7 ,short waddling steps on the level4 ,lean forward4 ,slide4 7#b7 ,can't get up hill4 ,raise front of ski and stamp4 ,don't go too steeply4 ,go slowly1 but keep at it4 7#c7 ,rushing up in front of others when on tour4 ,don't show off4 ,probably you are one of the worst of the party2 in any case1 you are only annoying the others4 7#d7 ,side stepping1 ski cross4 ,raise heel of lower ski4 7,see p4 #fj47 7#e7 ,can't start down hill4 ,be quick about it1 and then you can4 7#f7 ,legs apart and feet level4 ,keep legs close together and one foot forward4 7#g7 ,leaning back on stick4 ,practise without one4 7#h7 ,falling inwards when making a down-hill curve4 ,lean forward6 ,throw the weight on to the lower ski4 7#i7 ,telemark swing4 ,can't get round4 ,raise heel of the back foot4 7#aj7 ,christiania swing4 ,ski runs off at a tangent4 ,hold ski together4 ,swing on both of them4 7#aa7 ,not learning to turn to both right and left4 ,don't keep on practising that which you can already do4 7#ab7 ,dropping over a jump without sats1 or recklessly hurling yourself over4 ,both forms of funking4 ,keep cool and think of your form4 7#ac7 ,jumping too late4 ,don't go quite so fast1 and begin to straighten up earlier4 7#ad7 ,general stiffness4 ,don't get into any fixed style of running4 ,keep on changing your ground and trying new things4 ,,ski-,,running ,,etiquette4 ,introductions are very informal on the snow4 ,you may ask anybody for advice1 and be certain of receiving a polite answer1 provided that you yourself are polite1 and that your question is not idiotic4 ,if you contemplate joining a touring party1 you should ask somebody who is going1 and who has already made a tour with you1 whether you are likely to be welcome4 ,if he hesitates1 don't go4 ,if he assents1 go by all means1 even though you may be doubtful whether you are up to the work in hand4 ,you should not instantly rush to the assistance of a lady who may have fallen4 ,do not let your gallantry get the better of your common sense4 ,in ,norway ladies put on their own ski1 and manage their own bindings1 and it is not good manners to offer to assist them4 ,would that the custom extended to ,switzerland6 ,however amusing your conversation may be1 you should refrain from chattering during a long climb4 ,not everybody's wind or everybody's temper is perfect4 ,you will not add to your popularity on tour by continually accepting hospitality at the hands of others1 especially if your water-bottle be small1 and you carry no repairing outfit4 ,you should pay up punctually1 and without demur1 to the man who finances a touring party2 it is at least ten to one that he is out of pocket1 anyway4 ,it is a gross breach of manners to tread on the back of another man's ski4 ,you should at once apologise and fall back five yards4 ,you should not come plumping over a jump which others have been at some pains to construct1 without first asking their leave1 and it is always your solemn duty to repair as well as possible any damage you may occasion to the track4 ,unless you are really a very good runner1 it is better not to imitate too closely the ,norwegian style of dress4 ,people may be disappointed4 ,always be polite in your dealings with foreigners1 and you will seldom have cause to complain of their want of manners4 ,,some ,,useful ,,figures4 #a inch #jbed metres #a foot #cjdh metres #a yard #iadd metres #ajjj metres #cbhj feet #ajjj feet #cjdh metres #a metre #cicgj inches#aa #cbhj feet #ajicc yards #a kilometre #ajicc yards #h kilometres #difi miles #e miles1 less #ej yards ,,france ,,and ,,switzerland ,,and ,,italy4 #d #ajj francs #d- #e francs #a_/- #abe francs #ajj francs #hj _/- #e francs #d_/- #a franc -_/#i about ,,norway1 ,c4 #a #ahb kroner #a krone #a_/a about ,,germany4 #a #bjd marks #a mark -_/#aa about ,,austria1 ,c4 #a #bd kronen #ajb florins or gulden #a krone -_/#aj #a florin or gulden #a_/aa 99 99 99 99 99 #a kilogramme #bbjdf pounds avoirdupois4 ,in trade #a kilogramme is reckoned #aj per cent4 more than #blb4 #aalb4 #e kilogrammes4 99 99 99 99 99 ,temperature falls about #a ,fahrenheit for every #cjj;ft4 rise or1 say1 #a ,cent4 for every #bjj metres4 ,,thermometer4 ,comparison between ,scales of ,fahrenheit1 ,raumur1 and the ,centigrade4 ,,cent4 ,,fah',t4 ,,rmr4 #ajj;,b4 #bab;,b4 #hj;,b4 #ii #bajb #gib #ih #bjhd #ghd #ig #bjff #ggf #if #bjdh #gfh #ie #bjc #gf #id #bjab #geb #ic #aiid #gdd #ib #aigf #gcf #ia #aieh #gbh #ij #aid #gb #hi #aibb #gab #hh #aijd #gjd #hg #ahhf #fif #hf #ahfh #fhh #he #ahe #fh #hd #ahcb #fgb #hc #ahad #ffd #hb #agif #fef #ha #aggh #fdh #hj #agf #fd #gi #agdb #fcb #gh #agbd #fbd #gg #agjf #faf #gf #afhh #fjh #ge #afg #fj #gd #afeb #eib #gc #afcd #ehd #gb #afaf #egf #ga #aeih #efh #gj #aeh #ef #fi #aefb #eeb #fh #aedd #edd #fg #aebf #ecf #ff #aejh #ebh #fe #adi #eb #fd #adgb #eab #fc #aded #ejd #fb #adcf #dif #fa #adah #dhh #fj #adj #dh #ei #achb #dgb #eh #acfd #dfd #eg #acdf #def #ef #acbh #ddh #ee #aca #dd #ed #abib #dcb #ec #abgd #dbd #eb #abef #daf #ea #abch #djh #ej #abb #dj #di #abjb #cib #dh #aahd #chd #dg #aafh #cgf #df #aadh #cfh #de #aac #cf #dd #aaab #ceb #dc #ajid #cdd #db #ajgf #ccf #da #ajeh #cbh #dj #ajd #cb #ci #ajbb #cab #ch #ajjd #cjd #cg #ihf #bif #cf #ifh #bhh #ce #ie #bh #cd #icb #bgb #cc #iad #bfd #cb #hif #bef #ca #hgh #bdh #cj #hf #bd #bi #hdb #bcb #bh #hbd #bbd #bg #hjf #baf #bf #ghh #bjh #be #gg #bjj #bd #geb #aib #bc #gcd #ahd #bb #gaf #agf #ba #fih #afh #bj #fh #af #ai #ffb #aeb #ah #fdd #add #ag #fbf #acf #af #fjh #abh #ae #ei #ab #ad #egb #aab #ac #eed #ajd #ab #ecf #if #aa #eah #hh #aj #ej #h #i #dhb #gb #h #dfd #fd #g #ddf #ef #f #dbh #dh #e #da #d #d #cib #cb #c #cgd #bd #b #cef #af #a #cch #jh ,zero #cb ,zero #a #cjb #jh #b #bhd #af #c #bff #bd #d #bdh #cb #e #bc #d #f #bab #dh #g #aid #ef #h #agf #fd #i #aeh #gb #aj #ad #h #aa #abb #hh #ab #ajd #if #ac #hf #ajd #ad #fh #aab #ae #e #ab #af #cb #abh #ag #ad #acf #ah -- #add #ai #bb #aeb #bj #d #af #ba #eh #afh #bb #gf #agf #bc #id #ahd #bd #aab #aib #be #ac #bj #bf #adh #bjh #bg #aff #baf #bh #ahd #bbd #bi #bjb #bcb #cj #bb #bd #ca #bch #bdh #cb #bef #bef #cc #bgd #bfd #cd #bib #bgb #ce #ca #bh #cf #cbh #bhh #cg #bdf #bif #ch #cfd #bif #ci #chb #cab #dj #dj #cb #da #dah #cbh #db #dcf #ccf #dc #ded #cdd #dd #dgb #ceb #de #di #cf #df #ejh #cfh #dg #ebf #cgf #dh #edd #chd #di #efb #cib ,advertisements4 ,outfit ,,for ,,every ,,sport4 ,,ski from all the best makers in ,norway1 ,germany1 ,austria1 and ,switzerland4 ,,fastenings of every description1 including the 8,alpine0 and the 8,ellefsen40 ,,clothing of the best quality and design1 ready made or to order4 ,,bercolin 7in tubes71 the best ski-wax1 and other lubricants4 ,,everything required by ski-runners1 mountaineers1 tobogganers1 skaters1 and tourists4 99 99 99 99 99 ,e4 ,,dethleffsen ,,co41 ,,berne1 ,,christoffelgasse #g4 ,,berr ,,co41 ,,vienna1 ,,mariahilfer ,,str4 #a;,c4 ,h4 ,,sghwaiger1 ,,munich1 ,,wein ,,str47,,rathaus74 ,three ,names4 ,three ,countries4 ,one ,quality4 ,j4 ,dege ,sons1 ,,established #ahfe1 ,military and ,sporting ,tailors and ,breeches ,makers4 ,,leathers ,,and ,,all ,,hunting ,,specialities4 ,messrs4 ,j4 ,dege ,sons beg to announce to the readers of this ,manual that they have1 after the most careful inquiry as to the requirements of that most attractive and exciting sport ,,ski-,,running1 perfected an ,outfit best suited for the purpose4 ,it consists of a ,snowproof ,suit suitable for the ,sport1 which at the same time is porous2 and our ,special ,ski ,cap of the same material4 ,telegraphic ,address3 ,telephone3 ,,hark ,,forward1 ,,london4 #fddj ,,gerrard4 #ac1 ,,conduit ,,street4 ,illustration ,,dowie ,,marshall ,,make 8,,laupar ,,sko0 ,,mountaineering ,,and ,,all ,,kinds ,,of ,,practical ,,and ,,comfortable ,,boots4 ,special lasts are made and reserved exclusively for each customer4 ,new customers who cannot favour ,d4 ,m4 with a personal interview should send outlines of their feet taken standing1 or a pair of old boots1 as a guide for fitting4 ,illustration ,illustrated ,catalogue ,gratis4 ,,dowie ,,marshall1 #dee1 ,,west ,,strand1 ,,london4 ,,established #ahbd4 ,sportsmen visiting ,norway may procure all ,sporting ,requisites ,,of ,ludv4 ,,torgersen ,,co4 ,ltd41 ,,storthingsgaden #d1 ,,christiania4 ,,manufacturers ,,of ,ice ,axes 7,norwegian ,pattern71 ,ski and ,accessories1 ,ski ,staffs1 ,socks1 ,laupar 7,ski7 ,boots1 ,mitts1 ,lanterns1 ,coasters1 ,steering ,poles1 ,haversacks4 ,,selected ,,stock ,,of ,,breechloaders ,,and ,,rifles4 ,,eley',s ,,ammunition4 ,cartridges loaded to order with ,english ,gunpowders and ,newcastle ,chilled ,shot4 ,large ,assortment of ,,fishing ,,tackle suitable for ,fishing in ,norway4 ,,carl ,,johans ,,gade #e1 ,,christiania4 ,,larsens ,,vaabenforretning4 ,illustration ,,manufacturers ,,of ,,ski1 ,,skates1 ,,and ,,coasters 7,,toboggans71 ,with their accessories of best quality4 7,the above always kept in stock47 ,,english ,,guns4 ,,fishing ,,rods and ,,tackle4 ,eley's and ,kynoch's ,ammunition4 ,snow ,shoes #8,ski' ,trade-,mark ,,reindeer ,,head4 ,made out of the toughest ,german ,ash1 in accordance with the best designs and with various bindings 7only first-class material used74 ,direct from the ,factory4 ,illustration ,illustration3 ,schutz-,marke4 ,,joseph ,,fischer1 ,freiburg i4 ,b4 ,illustration3 ,the 8,davos0 ,model ,high ,form1 ,pattern 8,e10 ,mounting 8,l10 ,length #ij c4m4 ,illustration3 ,the 8,davos0 ,model1 ,low ,form1 ,pattern 8,,pp10 ,mounting 8,m10 ,length #ij c4m4 ,,snow-,,shoe ,,and ,,toboggan ,,factory4 ,wood bent by ,steam on the ,premises--,a speciality for the last #ae years4 ,,retailers ,,receive ,a ,,suitable ,,discount4 ,goods supplied to the ,german ,south-pole ,expedition1 to ,home and ,continental ,military ,authorities1 and to ,post and ,forest ,officials4 ,,my ,,goods ,,bear1 ,,without ,,exception1 ,,the ,,above ,,trade-,,mark 7,,reindeer ,,head74 ,l4 ,h4 ,,hagen ,,co41 ,,kirkegaden #ai1 ,,christiania1 ,,norway4 ,illustration ,largest ,assortment of ,firearms and ,sporting ,requisites in ,scandinavia4 ,,ski1 of various patterns1 have all been awarded ,gold ,medals4 ,,fastenings1 which have obtained the highest possible awards4 ,,ski ,,outfits1 and all requisites connected with ,ski-ing1 supplied4 ,,skates1 of ,hagen's celebrated and universally known pattern4 ,,coasters1 ,,toboggans1 ,,sleds4 ,awarded ,eleven ,gold ,medals4 ,two ,grand ,prix4 ,illustration ,l4 ,h4 ,,hagen ,co4 ,,th4 ,,hansen1 ,,ski ,,manufacturer4 ,,hammerstadg1 #e4 ,telephone1 #hehi ,,christiania4 ,ski of his own pattern3 ,awarded #ast prize4 ,exporter of ,ash and ,hickory ,ski 7varnished or coloured74 ,ski of best quality always in stock4 ,maker of the well-known1 highly recommended ,wax 8,record10 to preserve the ski and prevent balling4 ,,aschehougs ,,boghandel1 ,,bookseller4 ,english and ,foreign ,books1 ,magazines1 ,periodicals1 and ,journals4 #dc1 ,,carl ,,johans ,,gade1 ,,christiania4 ,illustration ,,the ,,swiss ,,ski4 ,made by ,,richard ,,staub1 ,,zurich4 ,,trade ,,mark4 ,illustration3 ,,marke ,tdi ,,marque ,d,,pos,e ,,trade ,,mark4 ,,the ,,ski are light and elastic1 and are made from the celebrated ,swiss mountain ash4 ,,the ,,ski are fitted with either 8,ellefsen's10 or 8,huitfeidt's40 or the 8,model ,c driving belt0 bindings4 ,maker of the original ,davos ,toboggan1 ,bandy 7ice-hockey7 ,clubs1 c4 ,,london ,,depot3 ,with ,messrs4 ,a4 ,w4 ,,gamage1 ,,holborn4 ,w4 ,c4 ,m,,ller1 ,,drammen1 ,,norway1 ,,furrier and ,,manufacturer of ,,reindeer ,,hair ,,lifebuoys for ,,yachts4 ,,contractor ,,to ,,polar ,,expeditions4 ,,equipped ,the ,national ,antarctic ,expedition4 ,duke of ,abruzzi's1 ,the1 ,arctic ,expedition4 ,ziegler's ,arctic ,expedition4 ,baron ,toll's ,arctic ,expedition4 ,drygalski's ,antarctic ,expedition4 ,argentine ,government's ,antarctic ,expedition4 c41 c4 ,,supplies ,ski-,boots1 ,socks1 ,finn ,mocassins1 ,fur ,gloves1 ,leather ,jackets1 ,sleeping ,bags1 and every kind of ,fur ,clothing and ,requisite for ,winter wear1 or travelling in cold climates4 ,,awarded #f ,,gold and #b ,,silver ,,medals4 ,,the ,,austrian ,,alps ,,for ,,the ,,winter ,,months4 ,skating1 ,tobogganing1 ,ski-ing1 ,sleighing1 in short every winter sport1 par excellence4 ,innsbruck4 ,seat of an ,english colony4 ,headquarters of winter sports4 ,climate highly recommended by the medical profession4 ,kitzbuehel4 ,renowned winter resort4 ,st4 ,anton 7,arlberg74 ,excellent ,ski-ing centre4 ,gossensass4 ,every ,winter sport4 ,cortina d',ampezzo4 ,eminently suitable for winter sojourn4 ,the ,semmering1 near ,vienna4 ,highly recommended for winter sports4 ,meran4 ,the pearl of ,austrian health resorts4 ,salzburg4 ,capital and ,dukedom4 ,excellently suited for the winter4 ,bozen-,gries1 ,trent1 ,rovereto1 ,arco1 ,riva1 c4 ,excellent places for winter sojourn4 ,,winter ,,tours ,,to ,,the ,,austrian ,,alps4 ,for particulars and pamphlets 7free7 write or call3-- ,,the ,,austrian ,,travel ,,information ,,bureau1 #hf1 ,,piccadilly1 ,,london1 ,w4 ,,wilson ,,line4 ,,winter ,,sports ,,in ,,norway4 ,,reduced ,,winter ,,fares4 7,from #ast ,october1 #aije to #cjth ,april1 #aijf47 ,,from ,,hull ,,to ,,christiansand4 4 ,,and 4 ,,christiania4 ,first-class1 ,single #c #cs4 #j;d4 0 ,return #e #es4 #j;d4 ,second-class1 ,single #b #ajs4 #j;d4 0 ,return #d #js4 #j;d4 ,victualling included4 ,intended ,sailings444 ,from ,,hull every ,,friday evening4 ,from ,,christiania every ,,friday1 #aj a4m41 calling at ,,christiansand ,friday night4 ,for further information apply to ,messrs4 ,the ,,united ,,shipping ,co41 ,ltd41 #ajh1 ,fenchurch ,street1 ,,london1 ,e4,c4 ,messrs4 ,t4 ,,cook ,,son1 ,ludgate ,circus1 ,,london1 ,e4,c4 or to ,messrs4 ,,thos4 ,,wilson1 ,,sons1 ,co41 ,ltd4 ,,hull4 ,,before ,,purchasing ,,souvenirs ,,be ,,sure ,,to ,,visit ,,bennett',s ,photograph and ,curiosity ,stores4 ,unrivalled ,stock of ,photos1 ,silver1 ,fancy ,articles1 ,guide ,books1 ,maps1 ,books on ,norway1 ,tauchnitz ,edition1 c4 ,,travelling ,,and ,,hotel ,,coupons ,,issued4 ,every ,information furnished relative to ,travelling in ,norway4 ,money ,exchanged4 ,,thos4 ,,bennett 4 ,,sons1 ,,carl ,,johans ,,gade #ce1 ,,christiania4 ,by ,special ,appointment1 ,dealers to ,her ,majesty ,queen ,alexandra4 ,,william ,,schmidt1 #da1 ,,carl ,,johans ,,gade1 ,,christiania4 ,,gentlemen',s ,,outfitters4 ,,sporting 4 ,,requisites 4 ,,and 4 ,,clothing4 ,h4 ,,horn ,co4 ,egertorvet1 ,,christiania4 ,,gentlemen',s ,,outfitters4 ,,gran ,,hotel1 ,,bolkesj1 ,,norway4 ,proprietor1 ,m4 ,,hafsten4 ,first-class accommodation4 ,moderate terms4 ,beautifully situated in ,telemarken4 ,most suitable quarters for ,ski-ing and ,winter ,sports4 ,eight hours from ,christiania--rail to ,kongsberg1 drive thence to ,bolkesj4 ,telephonic communication with all parts4 ,highly recommended4 ,,chamonix4 ,,winter ,,season4 ,the ,electric ,railway from ,le ,fayet ,st4 ,gervais to ,chamonix is now running the whole year round4 ,,grand ,,hotel ,,pension4 ,,couttet et du ,,parc4 ,,ski-,,running1 ,,skating1 ,,tobogganing4 ,,extensive ,,ice ,,rink ,,in ,,sunny ,,position4 ,all small ,mountain ,excursions may be made in ,winter4 ,,central ,,heating1 ,,electric ,,light4 ,m4 ,,couttet1 who is himself an enthusiastic ,ski-,runner1 and has ascended in ,winter on ,ski the ,col du ,geant1 #aa1jef;ft41 the ,col du ,midi1 #aa1gjj;ft41 and traversed from ,chamonix to ,zermatt by the ,high ,level ,route1 c41 is able to give all information concerning the district4 ,for full particulars apply to the ,proprietors1 ,,couttet ,,brothers1 ,hotel ,couttet1 ,chamonix1 ,france4 ,,caux1 ,,above ,,territet1 ,,montreux4 ,lake of ,geneva1 ,switzerland4 ,,caux ,,palace ,,grand ,,hotel4 ,splendid position1 with magnificent view of the ,alps4 ,central1 full south4 ,,heated ,,throughout ,,by ,,steam4 ,concert three times a day4 ,grand ,balls4 ,magnificent ,hall4 ,one of the finest ,hotels1 ,with first-rate ,cuisine4 ,,grindelwald4 ,,hotels ,,bear ,,and ,,adler4 ,,winter ,,sports3 ,,ski-,,running1 ,,skating1 ,,tobogganing1 ,,curling4 ,,boss ,,brothers1 ,proprietors4 ,,davos ,,platz4 ,,grand ,,hotel ,,belvedere ,,is ,the best ,hotel for ,ski ,runners1 and the headquarters of the ,davos ,english ,ski ,club4 ,,grand ,,hotel ,,belvedere ,,has ,baths on every floor1 and the most modern recently installed sanitary arrangements4 ,,grand ,,hotel ,,belvedere ,,is ,close to the big ,skating ,rink1 ,where the ,international ,skating ,competitions are held4 ,,grand ,,hotel ,,belvedere ,,has ,electric light throughout1 private spring water supply1 central heating1 and a rational and well varied cuisine4 ,,grand ,,hotel ,,belvedere ,,is ,close to the ,schatz ,alp ,cable ,railway1 which takes passengers up #ajjj feet in a few minutes4 ,,grand ,,hotel ,,belvedere ,,has ,a large ,ball ,room1 where balls1 dances1 orchestral concerts1 c41 are given throughout the winter season4 ,,grand ,,hotel ,,belvedere ,,is ,,the ,,best ,,hotel ,,in ,,davos ,,platz4 ,,austrian ,,tirol1 ,,kitzb,,hel 7,two hours beyond ,innsbruck74 ,,pension ,,schloss ,,lebenberg4 ,,under ,,english ,,management4 ,,open ,,all ,,the ,,year4 ,,excellent ,,cuisine4 ,,every ,,comfort4 ,as a ,ski-ing ,centre ,,kitzb,,hel ,,stands ,,unrivalled4 ,owing to the formation of the slopes1 ,kitzbhel has been pronounced by experts to be one of the finest ,ski-ing grounds in ,europe4 ,the position of ,lebenberg enables ,visitors to start in any direction from the ,schloss4 ,the ,climate of ,kitzbhel is noted for the absence of wind and the amount of sunshine4 ,it is therefore ,,an ,,ideal ,,winter ,,resort4 ,tobogganing and ,skating can also be indulged in4 ,sleigh races and ,ski-ing competitions are held yearly4 ,for ,illustrated ,prospectus and further particulars apply to the ,proprietor1 ,,pension ,,schloss ,,lebenberg1 ,,kitzb,,hel1 ,,austrian ,,tirol4 #e1jjj ,,feet ,,above ,,the ,,sea4 ,feldberg in the ,black ,forest4 ,nearest and most favourable ,ski-ing ground for ,england4 ,railway ,station3 ,,titisee1 via ,,freiburg1 ,,baden4 ,,hotel ,,feldberger ,,hof4 ,the ,hotel contains #aej ,rooms1 with #bjj beds1 and has two annexes--,the ,jaegermattte1 with #be rooms and #dj beds1 and the ,turm ,hotel1 with #bh rooms and #dh beds4 ,,splendid ,,ski-,,ing ,,country4 ,the ,hotel has been greatly enlarged and contains every modern comfort1 including electric light1 central heating throughout1 lift1 billiard-room1 skittle-alley1 beer-room1 drying-rooms1 store-room for ski1 two baths in every storey1 and suites of rooms4 ,pension ,prices for a six days' stay4 ,tobogganing road to ,titisee4 ,post and ,telegraph ,office on the ,premises4 ,telegraphic ,address3 8,feldberg1 ,schwarzwald40 ,proprietors3 ,,mayer ,,and ,,schladerer4 ,,curhaus-,,davos1 ,,davos-,,platz1 ,,switzerland4 ,,international ,,hotel4 ,board and ,lodging for #h shillings and upwards4 ,,alpine ,,sport4 ,,ski-,,ing1 ,,tobogganing1 ,,skating4 ,,davos ,,dorf1 ,,switzerland1 ,,fluela ,,post ,,and ,,sport ,,hotel4 ,exclusively reserved for ,sportsmen and through ,travellers4 ,,no ,,accommodation ,,for ,,invalids4 ,,prospectus ,,with ,,terms ,,on ,,application4 ,a4 ,,gredig ,,son1 ,proprietor4 8,,ski0 8,,alpiner ,,wintersport0 ,edited by ,h4 ,a4 ,,tanner1 ,basle1 ,switzerland4 8,,ski40--,the illustrated official organ of all the ,ski ,clubs in ,central ,europe4 ,correspondence from all parts of the world4 8,,alpiner ,,wintersport40--,a journal dealing with all ,winter ,sports4 ,published in ,english1 ,french1 ,german1 and ,italian1 and read by members of the various ,english colonies on the ,continent4 ,english correspondence is always welcome4 ,,both ,,papers are forwarded together1 and may be obtained through every ,bookseller and ,post-,office2 or from the ,editor in ,basle4 ,,light ,,and ,,firm4 ,ellefsen's ,binding ,,simple ,,and ,,strong4 ,,norwegian ,,winter ,,sports4 ,direct1 convenient1 and economical route from ,england to ,christiania 7the centre for all ,norwegian winter sports7 by the magnificent ,mail and ,passenger ,steamers 8,sovereign0 and 8,sterling10 sailing from ,newcastle 7,tyne ,dock7 every ,friday evening4 ,fare #c #cs4 #j;d4 single or #e #es4 #j;d4 return1 inclusive of victualling4 ,,for ,,further ,,particulars ,,apply ,,to ,,the ,,agents3-- ,p4 ,h4 ,,matthiessen ,,co41 ,,newcastle-,,on-,,tyne4 ,telegraphic ,address3 8,matthiessen40 ,,shew ,,cameras4 ,illustration - ,,the -,,tele-,,xit4 ,a ,half-plate ,camera which can be carried without fatigue1 opened without complications1 closed as a box1 measures only #h by #e by #b ins41 and perfectly rigid at full extension4 ,illustration ,the ,pocket ,,xit4 #d by #c ins4 from #f #fs4 8,for ,,simplicity1 ,,lightness1 and ,,range ,,of ,,subjects for which it can be used1 ,i think the ,,xit cannot be beaten40 ,,see ,,new ,,list ,,for #aijf ,,free ,,of3-- ,j4 ,f4 ,,shew ,co41 ,manufacturers and ,patentees of ,specialities in ,photographic ,appliances4 ,,newman ,,st41 #d ,doors off ,oxford ,st41 ,,london1 ,w4 ,,footnotes3 ,footnote #a3 ,ski is really the same word as the ,english skid1 meaning a slide1 or something to slide upon1 the affinity being even greater in the ,swedish term skid 7plural1 skidor71 meaning slides or skates4 ,originally it doubtless springs from the ,finnish subsi or suksi1 by which appellation the ski were probably known long before their introduction to ,scandinavia4 ,footnote #b3 8,w4,t410 ,t4,p4's ,weekly1 p4 #bbf1 ,feb41 #aijd4 ,footnote #c3 ,scandinavian skrde to slide1 glide1 slip4 ,footnote #d3 ,the names of the best known of these ,telemarkings were1 ,knut ,olafsen ,haugen1 ,aasmund ,brkke1 ,sveinung ,svalastoga1 and the 8,hemmestvedt gutter0 7,torjus and ,mikkel ,hemmestvedt74--,,ed4 ,footnote #e3 ,probably also on most of our own mountains4 ,footnote #f3 ,to judge by the number of utterly foolish bindings on the market1 this is a point which usually escapes the inventor-novice4 ,footnote #g3 ,look at the frontispiece for an example of first-class level-running4 ,footnote #h3 ,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 alighting4 ,footnote #i3 ,the ski which are suitable for ordinary excursions on undulating ground are not necessarily equally useful for long mountain climbs4 ,in the one case ski-running pure and simple is the object in view1 in the other the ski are merely a means to an end--the ascent of some difficult summit or pass4 ,some remarks as to the kind of instrument which may be found serviceable for the latter purpose are to be found at p4 #cd1 and in the chapter on 8,aids to ,climbing40--,,ed4 ,footnote #aj3 ,this1 perhaps1 scarcely goes far enough4 ,the outfit suitable for undulating wooded ground on which a runner may attain to great skill is not equally serviceable high up4 ,in particular1 a cap covering most of the face and neck1 smoked glasses or the simple arrangement described on p4 #ej1 a light wind-jacket of some sort1 extra-thick gloves1 extra-thick socks1 and extra-stout nailed boots are essential4 ,the runner should accustom himself to carrying a large heavy rucksack1 which is a disagreeable1 but1 alas6 an indispensable1 companion on a long mountain tour4--,,ed4 ,footnote #aa3 ,the exact figures are not as yet settled1 and are given--#cicgjdcaif #cicgjgi1 #cicgjjh1 c4 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,the ,contents reference to 8,side stepping 444 ,page #fi0 erroneously refers to 8,,side-,,slipping0 on ,page #fi4 ,inconsistent spelling and hyphenation are as in the original4