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Trail running - what makes a trail technical ?

  • 03-04-2011 06:02PM
    #1
    PaulieC
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,196 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    I was wondering about this today...How is the technicality of a trail measured ? for example, the maulin loop in Wicklow, is that a technical trail ? If so, why? if not, why not ? Is it to do with the steepness of the ascents/descents? Or the underfoot surface ?

    Thanks
    Paul


Comments

  • #2
    ocnoc
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 830 ✭✭✭ocnoc


    cambo_gueno wrote: »
    the maulin loop in Wicklow, is that a technical trail ? If so, why? if not, why not ? Is it to do with the steepness of the ascents/descents? Or the underfoot surface?

    Technical things... Roots, wet, rocks, scree, unstable foot, unstable unseeable footing eg deep heather.
    Em... Steepness plays a large part. Exposure plays a part... As in a near vertical drop in a forest isn't so bad as you can grab trees and stuff to slow one's self down V near vertical on an open mountain where if you slip you'll slide a long long way...

    I know of 3 descents on Maulin... Through heather off the top, not technical.
    Down the cycle track, not technical. Down the grotty track, can be described as technical if its been very wet and is cut up. The track by the river, not technical... Just my opinion.

    Technical can be placed close to the word Fear. Do you look at a drop and **** you pants? Do you question is this actually safe?

    Just ask PN :P


  • #3
    Oryx
    Subscribers Posts: 19,421 ✭✭✭✭Oryx


    At the start of war glendalough last year, I overheard another girl say the descent off the spink was a bit technical. Having never run the spink or any other hill before I wondered what she meant. Turned out that to me at least, a bit technical means running too fast over boulders and shale and thinking 'oh cr@p, if I fall here Ill die'. So I now understand technical as 'stuff you got to be careful on or youll go ass over tit'. :)


  • #4
    PositiveNegativ
    Closed Accounts Posts: 213 ✭✭PositiveNegativ


    Oryx wrote: »
    ...a bit technical means running too fast over boulders and shale and thinking 'oh cr@p, if I fall here Ill die'.

    Been there. The NE face of Croagh Patrick and the SE descent off Nephin (both now departed from the IMRA calendar) are technical. Everything else with the right head, shoes and preparation is fun.


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