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ENOCH-2699399

Lives well by G-d's Laws

Articles Posted: 82 Links Seeded: 2

Member Since: 11/2010 Last Seen: 5/16/2012

Gravity Contrarian

Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:45 PM EDT

not-news, camping, climbing, hiking, jays-diner

By Enoch-2699399

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This is an article about hiking and climbing. Whether on a camping trip, or just in nature, depending on the topography, you will need to walk, hike and climb. Flat floor surfaces are from man, not Mother Earth. Here are some tips about neutralizing gravity, for sure footed safety.

When I grew up, I spent a lot of time in the Eagle Rock Reservation. I camped, hiked, climbed, walked, jogged, ran, played, hunted, gathered plant foods fruits and nuts. The Eagle Rock Reservation is a long culinary way from Jays Diner.

To give you an idea of the topography of the Eagle Rock Reservation, I graduated from Mountain High School. The next closest High School was Our Lady of the Valley. Talk about your roller coaster rides when hiking.

Some of the inclines were around 80 degrees straight up. Almost perfectly vertical. How do you keep your balance for safety sake?

Always posture your body, and adjust your speed to do just the opposite of what gravity is pulling or pushing you to do.

If you are descending a very steep slope, lean back, and take small slow steps. Gravity wants to pull you down face first Don't let it.

If you are ascending a steep incline, lean forward as far as you can and sprint as fast as you can without stopping. Gravity wants to pull you down, back first. Don't let it.

Whatever gravity tells you to do, do the exact opposite.

In my mid 60's, I still jobs and sprint up steep inclines of 80 or more degrees. Cobb's Hill, Bully Hill, Stever Hill, Parker Hill, and the Nature Trail at the Ganondagan Historical site are where I run for from 3 to 7 1/2 straight daily in warm to hot weather. The inclines are super cardio work outs. I weigh the same now as in High School.

Trust me in this. If I listened to everything my parents, Rabbis and teachers tried to teach me as well as I do just the reverse of what gravity asks of me on challenging hills, I would be a brighter and better person for it today.

Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.

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Public Discussion (71)

Hiking and climbing can and should be part of the camping experience, or those with physical stamina to enjoy them. Always clear rigorous physical exercise with your physician ahead of time. Learn the ways of nature before you challenge yourself on them.

With the right preparation, this can be healthy and fun.

Ready set, go! Enoch.

10 votes

#1 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:48 PM EDT

Whatever gravity tells you to do, do the exact opposite.

Sounds good to me!
(now if my wrinkles would follow that advice, I'd be real happy!)
:)

7 votes

#2 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:56 PM EDT

so if gravity says fall on your ass, you should float to the sky :P

8 votes

#2.1 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:57 PM EDT

Dear Friends Abby and Belle: The only time I listen to gravity is when being intimate with my wife. Our favorite Thai restaurant is Hung Phar Lo.

Enoch, nibbling Bok Choy.

7 votes

#2.2 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:04 PM EDT

Beats a bruised bum!
lol

5 votes

#2.3 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:04 PM EDT

So Enoch, do you (or your wife) also like Cream of Sum Yun Gai?

7 votes

#2.4 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:09 PM EDT

Dear Belle: My wife did. Then I got old. These days its more like Mr. Softee for my Dairy Queen. (Only kidding).

E.

6 votes

#2.5 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:12 PM EDT

Yep, do the same thing when you ride a horse.

6 votes

#3 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:18 PM EDT

Yeah, but save the horse...ride a cowboy :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt0_oPPK6eA

7 votes

#3.1 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:20 PM EDT

Dear Friend Vlad's Dog: I heard that from others who ride horses. Good advise tends to work in more than one context.

Thanks for sharing it.

E.

3 votes

#3.2 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:58 PM EDT

Yep, do the same thing when you ride a horse.

Exactly!!

5 votes

#3.3 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:13 PM EDT

Enoch, I defied gravity and tried your advice, it didn't work...Seems jumping out of an airplane has a different meaning when it comes to gravity..You can't beat it...LOL

7 votes

#4 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:26 PM EDT

LOL!!

3 votes

#4.1 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:40 PM EDT

ROTF, LMBO! Good one Kavika.

E.

4 votes

#4.2 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:56 PM EDT

Great article, Enoch! I too like to hike and climb.

Your advice about gravity puts me in mind of the vet my hamsters visit from time to time. Hamsters are funny. If you don't watch them, they'll get to the edge of a surface (like an examining table) and just keep walking, so you have to be ready to head them off. My vet always tells them, "Don't test gravity. Gravity always wins."

4 votes

#5 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:00 PM EDT

Dear Friend Remote Viewer: I once went with a friend to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting. I put forth my gravity contrarian method He gave me 8-5 odds it wouldn't work. (Not really. just needed the set up for the joke).

E.

P.S. When are we going to co-author an article?

3 votes

#5.1 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:04 PM EDT

Oh my, very interesting idea, Enoch! Maybe when I settle down and quit dashing around trying to do 1000 things at once ... like maybe sometime in 2013? But seriously, what a lovely suggestion and I'm deeply honored.

{{{{Enoch}}}}

4 votes

#5.2 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:19 PM EDT

When you are ready, send me a Vine mail. We can take it from there.

E.

5 votes

#5.3 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:06 PM EDT

Will do! :-)

1 vote

#5.4 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 11:19 PM EDT

I'm afraid that gravity has won my battle... ;-)

Everything that used to stick out, now hangs down. Everything that was once flat, is now wrinkled. Yep, I'd say gravity wins!

80o slope??? EGADS, that is one huge slope!

Great article and something I'll try to remember, the next time I try mountain-goating...

2 votes

#6 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:47 PM EDT

Dear Friend Dowser; I have been doing this since childhood. One should not start on an almost pure vertical climb. Like all else in life, ease into things gradually.

Its great fun. Be sure to learn technique, study the terrain first. Go slow. Listen to bio feedback.

Small steps, small steps.

E.

6 votes

#6.1 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:08 PM EDT

Enoch, with arthritis, I don't do much mountain-goating, for sure... But I will remember your advice and try it on my next baby slope! Thanks!!!

4 votes

#6.2 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:21 PM EDT

Yard by yard, very hard. Inch by inch, its a cinch.

Small steps.

E.

4 votes

#6.3 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:28 PM EDT

Great article, Enoch. I'm rather wimpy with my hiking, and certainly don't mess with an 80 degree incline, but when I'm facing steep hills in either direction, I find it useful to go at an angle. I guess it's my way of trying to outsmart gravity -- not that it works - LOL:)

4 votes

#7 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:23 PM EDT

Given earth's curvature, an angle is the closet you can get to a straight line. Ask any artillery officer.

E.

6 votes

#7.1 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:29 PM EDT

[etva's eyes cross as she ponders the advanced physics required to understand this concept]

:-)

4 votes

#7.2 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:09 PM EDT

Dick Clark use to say, "reach for the stars, but keep your feet on the ground," which I always took as never go all out for anything. Some people go for broke, while others like myself played it safe.

4 votes

#8 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:08 PM EDT

Dear Friend Allen: Keeping your feet on the ground while hiking is playing it safe.

E.

4 votes

#8.1 - Tue Jul 26, 2011 10:56 PM EDT

There are some beautiful views from Eagle Rock! I love NJ!

3 votes

#9 - Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:17 AM EDT

Dear Friend Susanaree: Me too. Thanks for the visit.

Enoch.

3 votes

#9.1 - Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:15 PM EDT

Wonderful tips about gravity Enoch! I shall strive to bear them in mind as I finish out my vacation this week!

2 votes

#10 - Wed Jul 27, 2011 12:52 PM EDT

Dear Friend LilGremlin: I wish you great joy and fulfillment on vacation.

My last vacation was in February 2001. I am less than a decade until my next.

E.

2 votes

#10.1 - Wed Jul 27, 2011 1:07 PM EDT

Great article Enoch - wish I'd read it when I lived in Colorado Springs CO lol. We use to go hiking in the mountains almost every weekend. Here in N Texas where we live it's FLAAAAAT lol but still try to get out everyday, even in this heat, and walk. I, on the other hand, do not remotely weigh what I did in high school! Kudos to you on that Enoch!

2 votes

#11 - Wed Jul 27, 2011 4:43 PM EDT

Dear Friend Jackie: I spent some time in Denver and Boulder. Great areas. CO. has lots to offer.

I know flat land too. One of my MA degrees is from the University of Kansas at Lawrence.

E.

3 votes

#11.1 - Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:57 PM EDT

Heights and me don't agree on much. But to each their own. If I could climb mountains without trembling like a strung out coke addict looking for his next fix, I would do so joyfully.

3 votes

#12 - Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:52 PM EDT

Dear Friend Grisham: At least you can deal with mountains of paper work. That matters too.

E.

2 votes

#12.1 - Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:59 PM EDT

That's easy. All you need is a match.

3 votes

#12.2 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:02 AM EDT

A shredder is safer! :)

2 votes

#12.3 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:05 AM EDT

True D! But not half as fun.

2 votes

#12.4 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:05 AM EDT

I know.. I just didn't want you getting hurt. I do care about you after all. :)

2 votes

#12.5 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:07 AM EDT

Your right. Thank you for your concern. I will ask my teenager to light the match.

Just joking! I'm not that mean! Shredder it is. :)

3 votes

#12.6 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:11 AM EDT

Please keep parrots away from shredders. There is a great danger of shredded tweet.

E.

4 votes

#12.7 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:19 AM EDT

LOL!

2 votes

#12.8 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 1:58 AM EDT

*snicker*

1 vote

#12.9 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 2:42 AM EDT

Enoch, thank you for explaining, in layman's terms, the climbing technique used by professionals. I know it works. I have successfully climbed Mt. Everest on multiple occasions by simply appliying your technique.

The one time I varied from the method you describe, I fell about 29,029 feet and 3/4 inches. We learn from our mistakes don't we?

My advice is to always listen to the experts. Well done, my friend.

2 votes

#13 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:44 AM EDT

Dear Al: I plan to take the laws of gravity seriously, even if there are problem with the debt ceiling limit.

E.

1 vote

#14 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:03 AM EDT

What a neat article. Loved the good advise and wisdom. I have learned in my old age to walk on level ground. When I go up hill I take the buss. Down hill I walk backwards, my belly works as the lowest center of gravity, that way I am near the fault line. And then it becomes the shortest distance between two points, and less likelyof being hurt. But it makes the interesting in trying to see where one is going. I really did not have eyes in the back of my head, I just had my kids fooled. So I have become a flat lander. :) The exercise is great when one walks at least 30 mins. per day. Thanks again for the article.

3 votes

#15 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 3:18 PM EDT

Dear Friend Walt: Best thing at our age, just keep moving.

E.

2 votes

#15.1 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 3:32 PM EDT

Actually, the thing I like most and enjoy most is breathing. After that its checking the obituary's to make sure I am not listed, and then rest is all good.

2 votes

#15.2 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 3:46 PM EDT

Dear Friend Walt: Around here, we all love you so much that we made a deal with the obit man. He doesn't allow your name to appear in his column, and his name stays out of his column.

Bada Bing!

E.

3 votes

#15.3 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:40 PM EDT

OH My, needed a good laugh, Thank you.:-)))))

1 vote

#15.4 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:10 PM EDT

Enoch- I am glad for your ability to do all that you just said. I have been in the flats too long and should probably be doing the same. (When the knee is up to it.)

#16 - Mon Aug 1, 2011 2:10 AM EDT

Dear Friend MightyJ: More than one way to skin a cat. There are steps at gyms year around. I do what I do for a number of reasons.

1.) I like it.

2.) I need to keep healthy for my wife, son, daughter, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

3.) I need to be healthy to be there for my Congregation and Chaplaincy clients.

4.) Rigorous exercise is a good stress reducer. In Hospice and Palliative Care, I need to be strong and stable for those culminating this life. This kind of work can tear your guts out. Nevertheless, it is important to bring peace, grace dignity and comfort to those departing this life, and to those they leave behind.

We all have different reasons to motivate us. The trick is to work with our Doctors to do what helps, not hurts us.

Thanks for the visit and the kind words.

E.

1 vote

#16.1 - Mon Aug 1, 2011 7:46 AM EDT

Very inspiring. I am fond of the eliptical trainer when in good enough health to use it. Grandpa always said deep knee bends to keep the knees healthy. I am going to start exercising as soon as I get the ok.

#16.2 - Mon Aug 1, 2011 1:12 PM EDT

Way to go!

E.

#16.3 - Mon Aug 1, 2011 1:16 PM EDT

Good Article Enoch. Have you ever seen the California Street hill exiting downtown San Francisco? Now that's a hill! I used to do it. Voted up!

1 vote

#17 - Mon Aug 1, 2011 11:11 PM EDT

Dear Friend Bobby: Yes, I have on film. In the movie, Bullett, Steve Mc Queen had a famous chase scene up and down the streets of San Francisco in his green Mustang with two thugs in a Dodge Charger. Great muscle car action.

1 vote

#17.1 - Tue Aug 2, 2011 7:25 AM EDT

Yeah, I used to do that hill in my 1973 Valiant w/V8 not slant6. It was a blast. I also use to climb it a few times a month on foot. No more though. Maybe one day in the future if my lungs get better. God willing. Thanks for the comments.

1 vote

#17.2 - Tue Aug 2, 2011 1:30 PM EDT

Dear friend Enoch-- I had to walk down a steep grass hill yesterday and tried leaning forward, and nearly tripped over my head, and thought THAT wasn't right, so then I tried leaning backward, and sat down hard and slid down on my tail... That doesn't seem right either? Now, what was I supposed to do? Turn around, and hang on to the hill as I stepped down backward?

#18 - Tue Aug 2, 2011 9:55 PM EDT

Dear Friend Dowser: To neutralize gravity, do the opposite of what is is pulling or pushing you to do.

When descending a step incline, lean backward, and take small slow steps. Gravity is trying to pull you forward, and increase your speed downward.

Some opine it is easier on the shins if you walk backward. Problems with this are balance and vision.

Enoch.

1 vote

#18.1 - Tue Aug 2, 2011 11:18 PM EDT

It was a clean, well-mowed grassy slope, and I think I should have turned around and walked backwards... But, I probably leaned too far back, hence the fanny-slide! :-)

Mst people thought it was funny! :-)

#18.2 - Wed Aug 3, 2011 12:45 AM EDT

Dear Friend Dowser: It can be, but can also lead to back problems. Coccyx, or tailbone problems. Please take care. You are precious to all your Vine friends, me leading that pack.

Take heart, good news is here. Part of the debt ceiling compromise is for Congress to defund the law of gravity, as an unnecessary social program. (Not really, just kidding).

E.

2 votes

#18.3 - Wed Aug 3, 2011 9:42 AM EDT

True...but they're also increasing funding in the search for a new name for the coccyx because Tea Party members think it sounds dirty :)

3 votes

#18.4 - Wed Aug 3, 2011 9:46 AM EDT

LOL. Good one.

2 votes

#18.5 - Wed Aug 3, 2011 9:53 AM EDT

LOL!!!

I think we all try to defy the laws of gravity, but it somehow gets us, in the end...

Thanks, dear Enoch, I'll try to be more careful! It was sooooo hot, and that was the shortest distance between two points!

1 vote

#18.6 - Wed Aug 3, 2011 9:59 AM EDT

Gravity wins a lot of the time, but I fight it!! I refuse to let it get me down!!

1 vote

#19 - Thu Aug 4, 2011 9:42 PM EDT

Dear Friend Tzia: Sometimes I don't think gravity understands the gravity of our situation.

E.

1 vote

#19.1 - Thu Aug 4, 2011 11:23 PM EDT

People seem to gravitate towards people like themselves.

1 vote

#19.2 - Fri Aug 5, 2011 11:58 AM EDT

Do they really fall for gravity?

Enoch, in a Cooper's Droop

#19.3 - Fri Aug 5, 2011 2:50 PM EDT

IndependentAmerican2892850

If I listened to everything my parents, Rabbis and teachers tried to teach me as well as I do just the reverse of what gravity asks of me on challenging hills, I would be a brighter and better person for it today.

Enoch, if you were any better or brighter, your friends and family would have to shade their eyes.

:)

#20 - Tue Aug 9, 2011 1:56 PM EDT

Dear Special Friend IA: Your comments make me want to be better than I am. Many thanks for the great and kind words.

E.

1 vote

#21 - Tue Aug 9, 2011 2:49 PM EDT

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