Crossword clues for alpenstock
alpenstock
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Alpenstock \Al"pen*stock`\, n. [G.; Alp, gen. pl. Alpen + stock
stick.]
A long staff, pointed with iron, used in climbing the Alps.
--Cheever.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"long iron-pointed staff used for hiking in mountains," 1829, German, literally "Alpine stick."
Wiktionary
n. a stout adjustable walking stick with a metal point, used by mountain climbers and walkers in hilly or uneven terrain
WordNet
n. a stout staff with a metal point; used by mountain climbers
Wikipedia
An alpenstock is a long wooden pole with an iron spike tip, used by shepherds for travel on snowfields and glaciers in the Alps since the Middle Ages. It is the antecedent of the modern ice axe.
French-speaking climbers called this item a "baton". Josias Simler, a Swiss professor of theology at what later became the University of Zurich, published the first treatise on the Alps, entitled De Alpibus commentarius. T. Graham Brown described Simler's observations on gear for travel over ice and snow in the mountains: "In 1574, Simler published a commentary on the Alps which is remarkable for its description of the technique of glacier travel and for its proof that Simler himself had practical experience. He describes the alpenstock, crampons, the use of the rope, the necessity of protecting the eyes on snow by veils or spectacles; and he mentions that the leader on snow covered glaciers sounds for hidden crevasses with a pole."
Yvon Chouinard quotes Simler as writing, "To counteract the slipperiness of the ice, they firmly attach to their feet shoes resembling the shoes of horses, with three sharp spikes in them, so that they may be able to stand firmly. In some places they use sticks tipped with iron, by leaning upon which they climb steep slopes. These are called alpine sticks, and are principally in use among the shepherds."
On August 8, 1786, Jacques Balmat and Michel-Gabriel Paccard made the first ascent of Mont Blanc. Balmat, a chamois hunter and crystal collector, had experience with high mountain travel, and Paccard had made previous attempts to climb the peak. Illustrations show Balmat carrying two separate tools that would later be merged into the ice axe: an alpenstock (or baton) and a small axe that could be used to chop steps on icy slopes.
In the second half of the nineteenth century, seeing that the traditional but unwieldy alpenstock might be a useful aid to climb steep slopes of snow or ice, Victorian alpinists fastened a sharpened blade (the pick) to the top of the alpenstock; this was used to provide positive aid. On the opposite side, a flattened blade was placed (the adze), which was used for cutting steps in the snow or ice, an essential technique for moving over steep icy slopes before the advent of the crampon.
In what may be its most famous reference, an alpenstock was carried by Sherlock Holmes in May 1891, when climbing near the Gemmi Pass and at the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland, which took place during his and Dr Watson's flight from Professor Moriarty in " The Final Problem", the last adventure in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
Usage examples of "alpenstock".
Each man had an opera-glass, a canteen, and a guide-book case slung over his shoulder, and carried an alpenstock in one hand and a sun-umbrella in the other.
If the tourist forgets and comes down to breakfast without his alpenstock he goes back and gets it, and stands it up in the corner.
There are artisans all about Switzerland whose trade it is to burn these things upon the alpenstock of the tourist.
Ten minutes afterward we met a hot, red-faced man plunging down the mountain, making mighty strides, swinging his alpenstock ahead of him, and taking a grip on the ground with its iron point to support these big strides.
The alpenstock must be of the best wood, for if it should break, loss of life might be the result.
There they were, coming down the passage from a side door--she in front with her alpenstock and rucksack--smiling.
His companion thanked him for the compliment, and the child, who had now got astride of his alpenstock, stood looking about him, while he attacked a second lump of sugar.
The little boy had now converted his alpenstock into a vaulting pole, by the aid of which he was springing about in the gravel and kicking it up not a little.
Winterbourne presently released the child, who departed, dragging his alpenstock along the path.
Harben lowered his crude alpenstock over the edge of the rock fragment.
A man hanging at the end of the alpenstock might conceivably swing into the fissure, but h would necessitate a feat of acrobatics far beyond the powers of either himself or Gabula.
African carving, a battered toy locomotive, a banderilla, an alpenstock carved with the names of formidable climbs, a tiny ivory Buddha and a broken crucifix.
Our alpenstocks and muslin tails compelled attention, and as we moved through the village we gathered a considerable procession of little boys and girls, and so went in some state to the castle.
He shouldered our satchels, overcoats, and alpenstocks, and we set out up the steep path.
These people moved in single file, and were all tied to a strong rope, at regular distances apart, so that if one of them slipped on those giddy heights, the others could brace themselves on their alpenstocks and save him from darting into the valley, thousands of feet below.