opinion on steps - Moved from Q&A

[Pete_Hickey]

My only complaint about steps is when a group of hikers decide to use them as their personal seats and sit there without moving while you try to maneuver your way through them.

Just casually mention that the area is known for having a lot of Jilken's Flies, whose larva (which live/crawl on rocks) is frequently called 'hemroid suckers'. They are initially small, and can crawl through the threads in cloth. They latch onto areas where the sun doesn't shine, attach themselves and start sucking, and don'T stop until they are rather large. Symptoms start with an itchy butt.

Then tell them about the case that you had a few years ago, which you caught from sitting on large rocks.

If you can tell that with a straight serious face, you'll probably convince, at least one group, to never sit on rocks again.

 

[KMartman]

For the big stuff, a 'High Line' is often used (note: THere are regional variations in its name.)

A cable ssytem is strung high between trees, and the rock is lifted off the ground, and moved. Just like clothes on a clothesline, only heavier.

Note the steel cables at the bottom of the pack:

http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/tmpadk/jrpack2.jpg

http://newmud.comm.uottawa.ca/~pete/tmpadk/jrpack3.jpg

That was after building some steps on Algonquin in the Adironcacks last year.

yeah it was like that...but it looked like on the end nearest to one of the trees they had a "come along" like a hand winch....was neat nonetheless...I was on the completed staircase this past weekend and it was a great job done...Kudos to those who completed it..didn't look easy at all..

M

 

[DougPaul]

yeah it was like that...but it looked like on the end nearest to one of the trees they had a "come along" like a hand winch

A come-along can be used to tension the horizontal cable.

Doug

 

[KMartman]

A come-along can be used to tension the horizontal cable.

Doug

Ahhh see they are right...you DO learn something new everyday...

M

 

[David Metsky]

Working below Baxter Peak, preserving the alpine tundra.

-dave-