Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I heard that Cougar Rock is worn smoother than it was when I last tried
Tevis in the 80s.  I, too, would go around if given a safer option.  I know
the trail has changed since then, but some of the granite stairsteps earlier
in the ride were also pretty slippery.  Maybe the trail route doesn't go
over the slippery spots we experienced.  I never went over Cougar Rock
without my heart in my throat.  My photos always showed a great sense of
anxiety.

Barbara

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lif Strand" <lif@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2004 10:08 AM
Subject: Re: [RC] Borium or studs at Tevis


> At 10:27 AM 6/1/2004, Jim Mitchell wrote:
> > It would be interesting to poll everybody who has done the ride and see
> > what they think. I am sure there are people that don't think the rocks
are
> > slippery, but my horses seem to find the slippery ones.
> Aside from Cougar Rock what other rocks are there that really would really
> justify additional concern?  I never liked Cougar Rock and would just let
> my horse determine the speed to tackle it, getting off the reins and
> getting out of the saddle and my center of gravity a bit forward.  I also
> confess that I would shut my eyes sometimes.
>
> Over the years all those steel shoes on granite has worn the rock.  There
> was no alternate route then, but there is now.  I won't go over the rock
> again - no photo opportunity is worth going over Cougar Rock if going
> around is an option.  It's about safety, as opposed to glory, and the fact
> is that every extra bit of unnecessary energy expended on that rock is a
> bit of energy you may really wish you had 75 miles down the trail.  I've
> got more Cougar Rock photos than Tevis buckles, and believe me, if going
> around the rock would have reversed those numbers, I'd never have gone
over
> the rock.
>
> Other trail sections have loose rock, lots of loose dirt, but no place
that
> I would think that extra traction would help.  I've always worried about
> slipping on river rocks, but that's never happened.
>
> At 10:45 AM 6/1/2004, Steven Proe wrote:
> > Hi Folks: I must be a wuss, as there are sections of the Tevis and other
> > rides where I have dismounted and walked over the slippery spots.
> Seems to me, Steven, that you are SMART, not a wuss.  Just don't get off
> and walk where you'd cause your horse more problems than not by being slow
> or in the way.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>     Lif Strand      fasterhorses.com
>             Quemado NM USA
>
> ============================================================
> There is something so magical about being out at night after being on the
> trail all day on a long 100 with miles left to go.
> ~  Tom Noll
>
> ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/
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