BS: Globe Trekker show re Pole Walking

Subject: BS: Globe Trekker show re Pole Walking
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Apr 10 - 12:22 AM

I don't know what to call this feat but I'll take a stab at it. I've tried to find it on Google and on Ask.com but have had no luck.

Some time back a Globe Trekker show that I saw only part of had a fascinating segment.

It consisted of a visit to an area (In South America? In Africa?) where the men of the tribe? village? carried long poles, perhaps 10 or 12 feet long to facilitate mountain/rough terrain travel. The poles looked slightly thicker than those of a pole vaulter.

On the edge of a cliff or gully they would lean over and poke the pole down to solid ground then set their hands/arms and slide down the pole to the lower level. Retrieving the pole they went on to the next. The visitor tried it too and found it takes real skill, skill he didn't have.

Does anyone know anything about this innovative mode of travel? Did anyone else see the show?

Subject: RE: BS: Globe Trekker show re Pole Walking
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Apr 10 - 12:55 AM

youtube has a bunch of Globe Trekker videos. You might find it there.

Was the visitor male or female?

Was it on PBS or some other channel?

Oops, maybe I found it. Is this is it? From Traditional Sports of La Palmas Gran Canaria:

El Salto del Pastor (The Shepherd´s Leap)

El salto del pastor or the shepherd s leap is a practical game, born from a culture that saw the need to develop a certain skill - the skill to leap across mountains and be nimble as a little boy shepherd. This need was inevitable, what with Gran Canaria s unusual mountain landscape of difficult terrain, natural obstacles, large ravines, steep rocks and treacherous cliffs.

Because of this, the natives had to develop the skill and technique of crossing over through the use of a long wooden pole which they called a garrote. This wooden pole has a metal point fitted at its tip which is known as the regatón. With the aid of this pole, it made it easier for them to traverse across hills and steep rocks, as well as ravines, trenches, and slopes.

To develop this skill, the mechanics of the game then is to place the regatón upon the earth where one is standing, after which one jumps and slides down the pole to navigate a steep drop, repeating the leap and slide movement as many times as is necessary to reach the bottom of the ravine.
Aside from this test of mobility in the ravines, the garrote is also used elsewhere. This would include climbing up and jumping over walls, fast descents down steep rocks, calculated leaps, acrobatic leaps and leaps of enumerable styles.

Subject: RE: BS: Globe Trekker show re Pole Walking
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Apr 10 - 01:03 AM

There are a bunch of videos of this. Here's one (in Spanish) Click. Pretty neat!

Subject: RE: BS: Globe Trekker show re Pole Walking
From: Allan C.
Date: 02 Apr 10 - 05:57 AM

Too cool! Man, if I had known about this when I was a kid there's no telling what I might have gotten myself into (and out of!)

Subject: RE: BS: Globe Trekker show re Pole Walking
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Apr 10 - 10:17 AM

I know, Allan, me, too!!

Subject: RE: BS: Globe Trekker show re Pole Walking
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Apr 10 - 11:40 AM

That's the one, kat! Not the show but the mode of travel. I watched a couple of videos; it's fascinating. They flow down the poles. I would love to see it in person- and I agree with both of you: had we known about it when we were kids we'd still be doing it today. :)

I don't know enough Spanish - did you catch what wood the poles are made from? I don't suppose that maple grows there. Might it be ash or a similar timber?

In the part of the show I saw there was nothing about competition but it makes sense. Everything that takes skill and is dangerous in everyday life tends to transmogrify into competition.

Thank you for the swift response. I have a friend who wants me to send the information on to him.