Snow angels - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Celuien · 02-14-2007, 11:01 AM

A new experiment!

I have spent the morning attempting to clear the driveway - I'm still only half done

- and during the clearing I was able to walk on the snow while leaving only a 1/4 inch footprint. This worked for walking with a heavy shoveful of snow and while running across the surface.

Data:

Snow depth - approximately 3.5 inches
Snow type - very heavy and dense, but neither frozen over nor melting

Unfortunately, in an area of lighter snow, I was unable to remain on the surface.

Roa_Aoife · 02-14-2007, 03:12 PM

Wow, I'd forgotten about this thread.

I contend that it's the spirit of flame. Hot air rises, after all. That's why we have hot air balloons.

Rikae · 02-14-2007, 06:28 PM

Funny to see this; I was just thinking of Legolas a couple days ago when I set out across the quad (in about 6-8 inches of dense, but not frozen, snow), and found that for about 2/3 of the steps my feet stayed on the snow's surface. I actually tested a few different types of steps (to the amusement of all in the vicinity, no doubt) and found:
1) Walking faster makes sinking more likely.
2) Trying to step lightly makes sinking more likely.
3) Denser snow is a slightly bluer shade of white - so perhaps elvish vision and thousands of years of experience have something to do with it?
4) Heel-to-toe steps sink less often than toe-to-heel.

Conclusion: it's a learned skill, and elves can make snow angels.

alatar · 02-14-2007, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rikae

Conclusion: it's a learned skill, and elves can make snow angels.

Glad to see that you and Celuien have made in-depth analyses. Presently we have ice-encrusted snow, which you'd think would add to my chances of having a Legolas experience, but, alas, all that it does is creep out the dog as every footfall kerthunks! right through.

Farael · 02-15-2007, 12:21 AM

Ahhh lovely to see this thread still living.

With all the snow we've gotten this winter, I should try it out, but we've been having EXTREMELY cold weather. It's better now (about -20 C or -8 F) but for a while it was lower than -40 (which is the same C and F) and that's too cold to be outside, unless you MUST.

Prediction: Farael will sink right through the snow which is probably higher than the rim of his boot, and as he tries to get his foot out of the snow the snow will get inside the boot and he'll have to run back inside before his toes freeze.

alatar · 02-15-2007, 09:09 AM

Note that, if you walk on a light dusting of granular snow (not the wet sticky kind) that sits atop concrete or other hard surface, in a moderate to strong wind, you will leave no (or almost no) footprints. Maybe Legolas, and the elves entire, just knew where to place their slippers.

Folwren · 02-15-2007, 10:15 AM

Well, now, we had an ice/snow storm a couple months ago, and everyone, including horses, could walk on top of it all without leaving any marks at all!

02-14-2007, 11:01 AM	#1
Celuien Riveting Ribbiter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Assigned to Mordor Posts: 1,767	A new experiment! I have spent the morning attempting to clear the driveway - I'm still only half done - and during the clearing I was able to walk on the snow while leaving only a 1/4 inch footprint. This worked for walking with a heavy shoveful of snow and while running across the surface. Data: Snow depth - approximately 3.5 inches Snow type - very heavy and dense, but neither frozen over nor melting Unfortunately, in an area of lighter snow, I was unable to remain on the surface. __________________ People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect. But actually, from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, it's more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey... stuff.

02-14-2007, 03:12 PM	#2
Roa_Aoife Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Someday, I'll rule all of it. Posts: 1,696	Wow, I'd forgotten about this thread. I contend that it's the spirit of flame. Hot air rises, after all. That's why we have hot air balloons. __________________ We can't all be Roas* when it comes to analysing...* -Lommy I didn't say you're evil, Roa, I said you're exasperating. -Nerwen

02-15-2007, 12:21 AM	#5
Farael Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In hospitals, call rooms and (rarely) my apartment. Posts: 1,538	Ahhh lovely to see this thread still living. With all the snow we've gotten this winter, I should try it out, but we've been having EXTREMELY cold weather. It's better now (about -20 C or -8 F) but for a while it was lower than -40 (which is the same C and F) and that's too cold to be outside, unless you MUST. Prediction: Farael will sink right through the snow which is probably higher than the rim of his boot, and as he tries to get his foot out of the snow the snow will get inside the boot and he'll have to run back inside before his toes freeze. __________________ I prepared Explosive Runes this morning.

02-15-2007, 09:09 AM	#6
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	Note that, if you walk on a light dusting of granular snow (not the wet sticky kind) that sits atop concrete or other hard surface, in a moderate to strong wind, you will leave no (or almost no) footprints. Maybe Legolas, and the elves entire, just knew where to place their slippers. __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

02-15-2007, 10:15 AM	#7
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	Well, now, we had an ice/snow storm a couple months ago, and everyone, including horses, could walk on top of it all without leaving any marks at all! __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

02-14-2007, 06:28 PM	#3
Rikae Mellifluous Maia Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A glade open to the stars, deep in Nan Elmoth Posts: 3,489	Funny to see this; I was just thinking of Legolas a couple days ago when I set out across the quad (in about 6-8 inches of dense, but not frozen, snow), and found that for about 2/3 of the steps my feet stayed on the snow's surface. I actually tested a few different types of steps (to the amusement of all in the vicinity, no doubt) and found: 1) Walking faster makes sinking more likely. 2) Trying to step lightly makes sinking more likely. 3) Denser snow is a slightly bluer shade of white - so perhaps elvish vision and thousands of years of experience have something to do with it? 4) Heel-to-toe steps sink less often than toe-to-heel. Conclusion: it's a learned skill, and elves can make snow angels.