By: Blonde Two
Whilst Mr B2 and I were perambulating our tiny section of the South West Coast path last Sunday, he asked if I liked steps or not. Not such an odd question maybe if you knew the section I am talking about, there are steps up, and then steps down, and then steps up …
I had to consider the question carefully, because there are two sides to steps (no, I haven’t been wandering around an Escher print.) On the one hand steps are a harbinger of doom because they indicate that the steepness of the slope has increased to a ‘less than comfortable’ degree. On the other steps are an aid to the ‘slope-adverse’ and can make a mountain (metaphorical or actual) accessible where it once wasn’t.
My town of abode is located on seven hills, we live very nearly at the top of the highest, which is why I can see Dartmoor from the comfort of my bed. Our local roads are joined by a network of steps like the one pictured below.
All offer excellent exercise, but none are as glamorous perhaps as Jacob’s Ladder in the Peak District (which we Blondes plan to visit this summer) or the steps I remember from a rather naive venture on Snowdon’s Watkin Path.
Can anyone work how many steps Mr B2 has just walked down in today’s header picture? The clue is maybe in the lamp post!
There is a problem with most footpath-steps which have been engineered without any strict formula. Their dimensions, i.e. rise or fall, and horizontal distance between, bear no relation to human ergonomics. It is therefore impossible to develop a rhythm, necessitating introduction of mini paces in between to ensure that one progresses using alternate legs – the alternative is to continually ascend, or descend with the same leading leg which rapidly becomes unbearable. Many of these paths have been introduced to stop erosion, but the result, if poorly designed as described, is that walkers, wherever possible create new footpaths at either side of the steps, thus extending the erosion.
I am slightly perturbed about the steps you write of on the SW Coast Path – I have a tentative plan to fill in a previously un-walked section this summer between Land’s End and Exmouth.
The good news is that you could easily walk around this particular stepped section of the coast path and still have a nice walk. Let us know if you go ahead with your plans, we would love to walk our bit with you if we can. My guide book says that the Brixham – Dartmouth (Kingswear) section is one of the steepest, I used to walk it with my Scouts – it is also absolutely stunning!
The coastal path is littered with steps and stairs, but no-one seems to have explained to the Staircases-across-Britain group that the human foot was not designed to push vertically upwards from a horizontal position. It pushes upward much better from even a slight upward slope. Besides, most staircases become treacherous ponds and waterfalls at this time of year and the wooden dams at the edge are exceedingly dangerous. However, the nice stone steps pictured are of a different construction entirely.