Re: [RC] [RC] Man vs. Horse speeds & Shermans Gap at the OD - Truman Prevatt
As one that has lived in the East and lived in the Rockies, the
mountains are different. The Appalachians are a set of long steep
ridges formed by a major uplift. They tend to be steeper than the
western mountains - except maybe the western slope of the Sierras. The
Massanutten range is like most of the Appalachian range - very steep
ridgelines with few gaps. On most of these decents - on foot is
probably the best way to go.
I've galloped down mountains in the Rockies but I sure don't think I
would try it on the OD.
Truman
Flora Hillman wrote:
Heidi said ..."ButI've found over the years that
unless it is durn near vertical, 4-legdrive beats heck out of 2-leg drive any day!"
Except for Sherman's Gap in the OD.
Until you've actually ridden that 3 mile
west face trail up, and 3 mile east face trail down the Massanutten,
you have NO idea of how very difficult, rocky, rough, AND exhaustingly
vertical it is on the upper portion of the trail. My pony goes downhill like an
Olympic slalom skier, and is a powerful hill climber, but I've ridden
Sherman's Gap enough times (and this year marking and unmarking the
west face) to know the final approach to the top is by tailing up (or
leading down on the descent). The smart people get off and lead
that final mile to the top, trust me, AND they lead down the first 2
miles on the east face.
And Mary is right -- on the OD's steep
rocky slopes you can move MUCH faster leading your horse, and lower
greatly the risk of loosing horseshoes. I'm a pretty good "downhiller"
myself, and leading my horse in hand on the most difficult sections of
the OD I've easily passed (at a relaxed jog with my pony jogging behind
me) other riders still sitting in the saddle as their horses struggle
to pick their way through the rocks.
The OD is like no other ride -- you can't
"book" down the slopes of the Massanuttens no matter how athletic and
talented your horse, unless you're willing to risk some very serious
injury to either yourself OR your horse. I will guarantee that if you
ever ride the OD, and come face to face Sherman's Gap at the 80 mile
point of the OD 100, you'd be singing a different song.
-- "It is necessary to be noble, and yet take humility as a basis
"It
is necessary to be noble, and yet
take humility as a basis.
It is necessary
to be exalted, and yet take modesty as a foundation."
