AdvenChair Field Guide
Page 27
obstacles. As it gets steeper, front mules can be added as needed. Make sure to space
the front mules so they don’t interfere with each other or the lead mule.
b.
Uphill on a rough trail:
Again, the driver pushes, the lead mule pulls, and front mules
pull as it gets very steep. Specific situations include:
i.
When there is an obstacle such as a step or a big rock, log, or root that the chair can’t
straddle or roll over, the driver communicates that they are going to pop a wheelie
(gently!) to lift the front wheel over the obstacle.
ii.
When the obstacle is large, the side mules can grab the lifting points on the frame
and lift and pull the main wheels over the obstacles. Don’t use the forward beam to
lift the chair. The forward beam can be used to tip the chair back on the main
wheels (a wheelie).
6.
Downhill:
Downhill hiking may be less strenuous than uphill hiking but on steep and rough
trails it takes lots of coordination and thought.
a.
Downhill on a smooth trail:
The driver uses the brakes to keep the chair from going too
fast. If using the towing poles, the lead mule can push back against the poles to help
slow the chair (taking care not to get pushed out of the way by the poles). As the trail
steepens, rear mules can help hold the chair back with the straps.
b.
Downhill on a rough trail:
All the same techniques described for traveling on a rough
uphill trail are used, except that the front mules are replaced by rear mules. The two
primary differences are that
i.
the speed of the chair needs to be controlled carefully with the brakes and by the
rear mules and
ii.
it is more difficult to lift the front wheel over obstacles when traveling downhill.
Some lead mules prefer a towing strap to the towing poles in these conditions. In
either case, the lead mule may need help from side mules to direct the front wheel
over and around obstacles. When using a strap, the lead mule should stay far
enough in front and/or to the side to avoid the front wheel.
7.
Sidehill:
Narrow trails crossing steep side hills are the most challenging and dangerous
situations for the AdvenChair.
When this situation is encountered, stop and consider if it
is safe to continue.
If the section is short, it may be acceptable to continue even if the
sidehill is steep. But if the steep sidehill is continuous for a long ways, it is best to turn
around. Consider how much the chair tilts and how stable the sides of the trail where side
mules will have to walk are. It is very important to move slowly and give the side mules
plenty of time to adjust their position. Techniques for crossing sidehills can be combined:
a.
The rider leans into the sidehill to help shift the center of gravity uphill. The rider’s core
strength is a large determinant of how steep a sidehill can be navigated.
b.
The driver lifts up on the downside handlebar to keep the chair from tipping over
(Figure 15).
