Fig. 15.—Climbing a slope.—s = the fall of the slope; t = turn here. The shaded parts are obstructions (rocks, thick growth, &c.).
Next bring the weight forward as evenly as possible on to the ski you have stamped, and advance the other leg. In doing so take the greatest care to balance the weight of the body straight over the stamped ski; lean neither backwards nor forwards, or you are certain to slip.
In hill-climbing it is, of course, expedient to go as steeply as possible, but the beginner will find that it pays best to take things easily at first, as a single slip backwards is more exhausting than twenty steps forwards.
To negotiate a steep slope one must go across and upward at a convenient angle, making a zig-zag track, as an engineer would plan a good mountain road ([Fig 15]). Turn at the corners as described, p. 55, and when so doing remember to assume a safe standing position, for a slip on a steep slope may be attended by unpleasant consequences. The correct position in which to stand before turning is clearly with the ski horizontally in space—that is to say, at right angles to the direction of the gradient; then one cannot slip while engrossed in the task.
Fig. 16.—“Herring-boning.”—The figure is in the act of lifting the right ski over the heel of the left. The light lines are his tracks.
Note.—Swing the body well, as shown.
Fig. 17.—Hill climbing sideways.—Used only on very steep slopes. The light lines are old tracks.