Forums > Introductions > Cross Country Stilter

Posted: 20th Jan 2008
*wanders in and rubs Nutella on your nipples as a baptism*

to HoP and the High Church of Nutella!

-Mike

Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella



A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura

Posted: 21st Dec 2008
I was out today for about an hour. I went to one of my regular very steep hills, but after a couple of days of rain, the surface of the path was very muddy. I always walk my route on foot before kitting up, and this time I considered the yellow slimy clay with mud and dead laves on top would be probably lethal. So I carried the stilts down the hill to the footbridge at the bottom where I then kitted up. Over the bridge are 2 paths going in different directions. Both are gentle slopes but are quite narrow yellow clay. I had a look at both of them before I kitted up. One was extremely slippery with the path sloping to the right. The other (which I chose to try) was also slippery but much flatter.
Having paced the bridge a couple of times I set off along this untried path. The first 100yds is through shrubs and silver birch then it opens out as it begins to climb towards a pine forest. The first 100 yds was quite slimy and I found I was fighting for balance all the time, but when it opened out I got the full blast of a strong cross wind. This made it even more difficult and had only gone about 5 steps when a sudden gust sent me flying. I crawled back to the trees, hauled myself upright and set out again, this time being wary about the wind. With much difficulty I got up to the pine forest. I had been up high for about half an hour. I held onto a tree to catch my breath then started back, only to find the path was much steeper than I thought when walking up it. Two steps and I went flying again as both stilts launched together. I crawled back to the pine trees to get upright again and set off very carefully this time with very short steps, watching every step. It was very, very difficult with much sliding around and several minor launchings. I had almost reached the birch wood when a major launch put me on the ground again. I crawled to the nearest Birch, got upright and went back to where I fell to look to see the cause of the fall. Having satisfied myself that it was lack of concentration I attempted to turn round to head for the bridge, and without warning went down on my knees. After another crawl to get vertical, again I went back to that place and examined it more fully. I found that the path for a very short distance had a hump in its centre with steep sides. No wonder it caused problems. This time I was very careful as I turned round and made it back to the bridge where I got off the stilts properly.
Time up high about an hour
4 falls no injuries. Can't wait to have another go.