The Lasörling is a mountain , 3,098 m (AA) , and the highest summit in the eponymous range that stretches from the Virgental to the Defereggental valleys opposite the Großvenediger . Occasionally the mountain is also called the " Großer Lasörling" ("Great Lasörling) because it has a double summit - its southeast top reaching a height of 3,055 m above sea level (AA) . The main top was formerly also called the Bergerspitze , and the southeast top the Musspitze or Virgen Lasörling .
17-583: The easiest ascent of the mountain begins in the valley of Virgental and runs through the Mullitztal valley to the Lasörling Hut . This climb is glacier-free, but requires sure-footedness and has climbing sections rated at grade I . The name "Lasörling" refers to the appearance of the mountain: Arl(ing) is an old German word for ploughshare or plough and stems from the Old Germanic word or loanword from
34-529: A backpack . Some poles come with spring -loaded sections to aid walking under normal conditions and to reduce wrist strain, but such devices may only add unwanted weight and noise to the poles. They are usually made from lightweight aluminum or carbon fiber . Descendants of the common walking stick , trekking poles are usually used by hikers for the same reasons — to provide some rhythm to their walking pace and for added support. On flat, smooth terrain they really aren't necessary although using them can increase
51-482: Is assumed to be a prerequisite without ever being defined. The term is frequently used in the literature presumably to ensure that the reader is made sufficiently aware that, under certain circumstances, one false step may lead to serious consequences. Although there is no standard definition of sure-footedness, the following attributes generally apply: The requirement for sure-footedness is usually only mentioned when speaking about routes on which no climbing ability
68-541: Is inextricably related to having a head for heights , as someone can be said to be generally sure-footed on modest, unexposed terrain, but cannot be so described if they cannot retain the capacity at heights. Sure-footedness is primarily a natural attribute, influenced to high degrees by age, health, and physical fitness. But it can, to a certain extent, be acquired through training. It can be enhanced regardless of inborn level by regular activity in steep, rough terrain. While helpful with balance, hiking sticks can impede
85-402: Is required, such as Class A routes where the terrain is gentle to steeply sloping and usually rocky, but mostly negotiable without protection or safety equipment. It is not necessarily the case that someone with climbing experience is automatically sure-footed, particularly in an era of rock gyms, where technical climbing skill can be acquired entirely indoors. The concept of sure-footedness
102-437: Is the ability, especially when hiking or mountain climbing , to navigate difficult or rough terrain safely. Such situations place demands on a person's coordination and reserves of strength as well as requiring sufficient appreciation of the terrain. A person who is sure-footed is thus unlikely to slip or stumble, and will have a good head for heights when required. On many hiking trails and mountain tours, sure-footedness
119-483: The Appalachian Trail vary from 90% among thru-hikers to 10–15% among day hikers. Some hikers have complained that pole use can leave a visible impact on the surrounding trail, for instance poking visible holes in the ground and damaging adjacent vegetation. In particular, the most common complaint is that the carbide tips leave visible white scratches on rock and make scraping sounds. All these can detract from
136-578: The Himalayas for their sure-footed ability as pack animals . Donkeys, mules, and certain breeds of horses are also noted for their sure-footedness. Hiking stick Trekking poles (also known as hiking poles , hiking sticks or walking poles ) are a common hiking accessory that function to assist walkers with their rhythm, to provide stability, and reduce strain on joints on rough terrain. When in use, modern trekking poles resemble ski poles as they have many features in common, such as baskets at
153-517: The Slovene word oralnik . Around 1531, the mountain was still recorded with the Slovenian suffix -nik as "Lasornik". For the year 1670 it is written as "Lasernik". The syllable -nik was replaced in later usage by "-ling". The prefix "Las-" goes back to the (Old) Slovenian word for clearance (German: Gereute ), as in other words like Lasnitzen , Laßnitz etc. The Lasörling was first climbed via
170-468: The wilderness experience. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) recommends several measures to mitigate the environmental impact of trekking poles in accordance with Leave No Trace principles of low-impact backcountry recreation. Hikers, it says, should not only be aware of what they put their poles into, they should remove the pole baskets unless hiking in snow and use rubber tips to avoid scratch marks on rocks. On level sections, or in areas where
187-471: The ability to develop sure-footedness on its own. This is not to say that they cannot be helpful to hikers, particularly elder ones, in compensating for a lack of balance on hazardous or uneven ground, in moderately exposed areas, and in hiking or downclimbing grades. The term sure-footedness is also used to describe animals that routinely navigate difficult terrain, such as mountain goats . Domesticated yaks are used on climbing and trekking expeditions in
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#1732851851426204-415: The bottom to prevent the pole sinking through unstable surfaces, and rubber -padded handles and wrist straps to strengthen holding grip. Their maximum length is usually 135 cm (54 inches), however, unlike ski poles, they are often made in two or three sections and can be extended and retracted as necessary for use and collapsed for storage or transport. When fully retracted it may be possible to attach them to
221-544: The east face on the descent (1861) and the northwestern arête (1864). The most popular route up the Lasörling runs initially from the Lasörling Hut ( 2,350 m above sea level (AA) ) heading northwest into the former mining area of Glauret. South of the summit the path branches off north and runs in zig-zags over piles of moraine to the Lasörlingscharte notch ( 2,950 m above sea level (AA) ) and finally to
238-418: The exercise a hiker gets from the trip, as well as increase the speed. But on less certain terrain, or steep slopes, they provide useful lateral stability, and many turn to them for help with knee pain . They can also be used as aids when climbing rocks or boulders, to probe the depth of mud or water and facilitate a crossing. When traversing steep slopes for long distances, some hikers make one pole shorter than
255-454: The northern arête in 1861 by Carl von Sonklar after several attempts. According to other sources the first climbers are unknown, but probably hunters. The first historically confirmed ascent was carried out by H. v. Acken and his survey assistants in 1854 in the course of state survey work using the present normal route , the southern ascent from the Glauret. Carl Sonklar first crossed
272-528: The other to make those trips feel more as if they were taking place on level ground. Some backpacking tents are designed to use trekking poles as tent poles. Along the same lines, trekking poles can be used to set up a Bivouac shelter . Hikers who take to snowshoes in winter find trekking poles especially useful. They can also be used in Nordic walking in a rural or urban environment. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) estimates that pole usage rates on
289-599: The summit. The 748 metres of height can be climbed in about three hours. The shortest way from the Virgental valley to the summit runs through the Lasnitzental valley in a southern and later southeasterly direction to the western arête. After a short and easy climb on the ridge in an easterly direction the route arrives at the Lasörlingscharte and joins the path from the Lasörling Hut. Sure-footedness Sure-footedness
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