virginiawaterbird wrote:
>I believe "pace" and "step" are defined on the Letterboxing web
>site.... But as I said, LbNA does provide a universal definition.

That's not quite true -- the LBNA site doesn't really take a stand. Here's
the link to the "What is a pace?" FAQ:
http://www.letterboxing.org/faq.html#028

It doesn't matter which definition people use, but the fact that it has an
ambiguous definition is the problem. Letterbox placers and finders simply
can't "assume" one definition is "correct."




|-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-|
Silent Doug, P15 F33 X04
silentdoug@douglasgerlach.com
http://letterboxing.gravitycloud.com

Silent Doug is right; LbNA does not define pace, and I should
know better than to trust my memory these days. Paces and
steps are not great clues over long distances either, but they are
very useful for short ones, and if the box planter uses both in his
clues, indicates that there is a difference, and provides a
calibration section for one of them, then it adds a little spice to
the hunt. At least, I think so. Anyway, thank you for setting me
straight.

> Silent Doug is right; LbNA does not define pace

Should it?

I think the answer on the faq is the right answer, given the
question, tho. Of course, if we replaced that section with
"it is a step", it may have the same meaning (as has been
astutely pointed out), and we could save a little bw :-)

In any case, it pretty much does define it to be a step if you
have nothing else to go on (that's what the last paragraph says).
(It really says that if you have no information, you have an
80% chance of being right if you assume it was a step, and the
person who placed it is about your size and responded to the
poll ...), ... and, of course, if you _do_ have something to
go on, you don't need a definition, so it really is taking a
stand, sort of.

But, to the extent that it makes sense for "LbNA" to standardize
for the hobby (and that is a different kettle of fish altogether),
the preponderance of information does indicate a step is the
"right" answer, for those who wish for a right answer.

Therefore ...

> and I should know better than to trust my memory these days.

On the contrary. Your memory is doing the right thing in
consolidating a large block of gizz into a concise factoid
that has a large probability of being more useful than competing
factoids (we prefer the more technical-sounding term "meme";
yet another KoF ..., but anyway)

Anyway, its supposed to be a Zen thing (if it were _actually_
a Zen thing, of course, there would be no need to say its a Zen
thing ... it just shows what a poor faq writer we are).

(If this doesn't kill the thread, nothing will :-))

Cheers
Randy
Adding to the chaff ...

--- In letterbox-usa@y..., Randy Hall wrote:

> (If this doesn't kill the thread, nothing will :-))


It ought to at least slow up the pace. Thanks for stepping in.

legerdemaine

Oh good golly! Someone is bout to step in something nasty with these puns
flying around.


----- Original Message -----
From: "leger_de_maine"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, September 03, 2002 8:21 PM
Subject: [LbNA] Re: Pace


--- In letterbox-usa@y..., Randy Hall wrote:

> (If this doesn't kill the thread, nothing will :-))


It ought to at least slow up the pace. Thanks for stepping in.

legerdemaine



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If I'm counting each time a foot hits the ground while walking, I say "X
number of Steps"
If I'm counting only when one of my feet hits the ground (every other step),
then I say "X number of Paces"

There really are no rules. And no average. So do what makes you happy and if
you want, you can put a definition at the beginning of your clues.
Pace = 1 step
or Pace = 2 steps
or Pace = heel to toe steps

:-)
Scoutdogs

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Lauren May"
wrote:
> do most of you consider a pace as 1
> footfall? And is a footfall just the length of a foot (like
placing
> your feet end-to-end for the specified number of "paces"), or the
> length of the step taken (between the feet)? Am I making any
sense?
> LOL
>
> Lauren May

Because there seemed to be so much disagreement over what constituted a pace, the one clue where I have used that sort of measure was written as "steps" with the added information that "I have short legs". Hopefully that has been helpful to people.
Memlili


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In a message dated 8/31/03 8:46:36 AM, DogScouts@hotmail.com writes:

<< If I'm counting each time a foot hits the ground while walking, I say "X

number of Steps"

If I'm counting only when one of my feet hits the ground (every other step),

then I say "X number of Paces" >>

In my short (so far) letterboxing career, this is what I've done, also. If
the clues say, "go twelve paces to the large stump on the right," and they
don't specify what they're calling a "pace," then I go twelve steps, and look
around. If there's no large stump anywhere around, I'll go twelve more steps, to
equal twelve paces, and the stump is usually somewhere around there.

DebBee

Yes, very often clues will say "paces" when they really mean "steps". Usually
I assume that paces mean steps unless someone specifies otherwise....BUT, as
has been said already...
in orienteering, in military, in outdoor/wildlife management etc:
a pace = two steps
a step = is counted for each and every footfall

I have never used a measured pace in letterboxing, but I have used it to pace
off distances when doing wildlife management plans etc. I also use it with
kids when teaching orienteering courses. Most people's (aged ~ 10 to adult) pace
falls between 4 and 6 feet (ie in two steps you travel, say, 5 feet).I'm not
sure if that helps.

-Kim (rustypuff)


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