Snow angels - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lalwendë · 12-27-2005, 02:21 PM

Finally, some snow. As you will see, Legolas does slightly sink into the snow, but he does not sink all the way down. This would suggest that he could make a snow angel (or would it be a snow Ainur? oooh, can of worms...), as he would no doubt leave some impression. However, we caught him at rest here (I think he saw the cat so he had to get his white knife at the ready, or perhaps he was just waiting in vain for the bus) so the question of how much impression his feet leave when he is moving remains unanswered.

Farael · 12-27-2005, 02:42 PM

Thanks Lalwendë for bringing up this thread!!! I wanted to as I have some new developments. On Christmas day, my friends and I had a snow-football game... the field was REALLY covered in snow (probably over a foot) which messed up the game, BUT I managed to make a few interesting findings.

First of all, it should be noted that the weather has been unusually warm (around zero degrees Celsious or 32 Farenheit) and so the snow had melted slightly and frozen again, therefore being unusually hard.

The first thing we thought was "hey, let's run around and trample down the snow!" and so we did. I will always sink on snow but specially if I run. Soon enough I had snow up to my knees, I don't know how I managed that because the snow was not THAT high.

Then, after giving up on the running idea, we just stood around passing the football until everyone came. Guess what? I could actually stand on top of the snow for a couple of seconds. It wasn't for too long and it wasn't recently fallen snow, but I could stand on top of it. Then it broke and I fell through as nature will have me do every time.

Still, if you assume that elves are perhaps lighter than men, they might have been able to stay on top of the snow... if you add HUGE, paddle-like feet to these elves, they will most definetly do. Think about gigant duck feet

Does Tolkien ever talk about elvish FEET? if not, we should assume the duck-feet theory to be, at best, a good explanation.

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.

02-14-2007, 11:01 AM	#3
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	#4
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	#7
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.

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12-27-2005, 02:42 PM	#2
Farael Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In hospitals, call rooms and (rarely) my apartment. Posts: 1,538	Thanks Lalwendë for bringing up this thread!!! I wanted to as I have some new developments. On Christmas day, my friends and I had a snow-football game... the field was REALLY covered in snow (probably over a foot) which messed up the game, BUT I managed to make a few interesting findings. First of all, it should be noted that the weather has been unusually warm (around zero degrees Celsious or 32 Farenheit) and so the snow had melted slightly and frozen again, therefore being unusually hard. The first thing we thought was "hey, let's run around and trample down the snow!" and so we did. I will always sink on snow but specially if I run. Soon enough I had snow up to my knees, I don't know how I managed that because the snow was not THAT high. Then, after giving up on the running idea, we just stood around passing the football until everyone came. Guess what? I could actually stand on top of the snow for a couple of seconds. It wasn't for too long and it wasn't recently fallen snow, but I could stand on top of it. Then it broke and I fell through as nature will have me do every time. Still, if you assume that elves are perhaps lighter than men, they might have been able to stay on top of the snow... if you add HUGE, paddle-like feet to these elves, they will most definetly do. Think about gigant duck feet Does Tolkien ever talk about elvish FEET? if not, we should assume the duck-feet theory to be, at best, a good explanation.

02-14-2007, 06:28 PM	#5
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.