European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 20, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse A a a a a amps Betty Luman hikers return to the Village where they began. A a. A. A. A amps Betty Luman a Volks Marcher presents his Start card for stamping at a Midway control boots Are made for hiking v a. A amps Norm Zeigler Jerry Lamb assistant manager of the Wiesbaden sports Center shows four of the models available in his store. A a _ a. A a a tips for marchers Volks marching originated in Europe in the Lite 1%0s As an alternative to competitive races. Events can be a found throughout Central Europe although Germany offers the greatest number. At least 500 Volks marches Are uttered annually in the United states. You can learn about upcoming Volks marches by checking the list printed each week in the Germany and Benelux editions of. Stripes Magazine 1 fliers at vol Smarch starting Points or buying an annual listing called Termine Liste in German for less than $2,. Tips for a successful first vol Smarch in Germany follow. A a a a a a a. A Don t worry if you Don it know How to find the sports Hall or elementary school named As a walk s starting Point. As soon As you get near the town you la spot signs pointing to the Start. The signs Are usually White arrows with Quot in Quot written in red letters in stands for. Quot International scr Voik sport verb and or International federation of people s sports. A a. A a upon arriving head to the table marked nac Meldung aus Gabe to Purchase your Start card. The cards usually Cost 8.50 Marks about $4.80 for people who want the commemorative Beer Mug medal plate or wine Glass. Members of pro. Registered dubs pay Only 6.50 Marks $3.70. Individuals who Don t want the prize pay 2 Marks $1.10 to cover. Insurance and to obtain the in stamp in their logbooks. A with Start card in hand look. marked Start. Trails Are marked with signs plastic ribbons or arrows. A 1 he 20-Kilometer Trail usually Forks off from the 10. Kilometre walk. A. A. A a. A along the Trail you la come across one or two Kontrei Bielien where your Start card must lie stamped to prove you passed that Point. The sponsoring club usually pro ides Tea or Broth free of charge and Sells other refreshments at the control stops. A the Trail will bring you Back to the starting Point. To get your award go to the table marked medallion Auy Gabe and hand Over your stamped ticket. 1 a if you plan to make Volks marching a regular activity you might want to buy booklets to log your accomplishments and earn More awards. 1 Here Are two kinds of logbooks one to record the number of marches completed and the other to record the number of Kilometres walked. The books Cost 7.50 Marks about $4.25 each and can be purchased from an in representative at. The March. ,. For beginners who Arheidt sure whether they la continue the organization now Golfors a tree card on. Which up to 10 marches can be recorded. If you then decide to Purchase the logbooks the events will be transferred to those. A a a 1 he Booklet recording events is turned in after the first 10 walks in Exchange for a pin Patch and certificate hut you must Complete 500 Kilometres before turning in the mileage Booklet for similar awards. To got an in stamp in your logbooks at the end of a walk present the books and Start card to in workers before giving up your card for he March souvenir. By Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer. Bools area hiker s most important piece of equipment. Twenty years ago picking a Good pair was easy they had to be stiff heavy and leather. But gone Are the Days when most hiking boots weighed As run Civ As bricks and were equally As flexible. A r a it. Especially in the last decade space age materials and new design concepts have brought change and variety to the hiking Boot scene. These Days the styles Range from lightweight Canvas and rubber. Models that resemble souped up sneakers to Melium weight Goro Tex and leather versions for tougher treks and heavyweight,.steel-Shank models for Mountain climbing. But the changes have not Only been functional they have also been fashionable. In sports and outdoor Supply shops shelves that once featured varying shades of a a a Brown Are now veritable rainbows of color Green yellow Blue and even purple a a. A a. A a Quot i think the trend is moving to More fashion statements Quot says Jerry. Lamb assistant manager of the Wiesbaden sports Center , Germany. The Mainz Kastel store an army morale welfare and recreation facility stocks about 15 models of hiking boots mainly Swiss and German made. The Type of hiking Boot that is right for you depends on three the weather terrain and Type of hiking. You will face. An unscientific Rule of thumb is that the weight and stiffness of the Boot should correspond roughly to the strenuous Ness of the hiking you will be doing of you Are strictly a weekend Walker you should stick to the lightest most flexible style of shoe. It will probably be Canvas or Canvas and leather it May be a Bowcut Model or a High top the sole should have shallow cleats. These models will be most comfortable on smooth trails with no Steep grades and will not tire your legs. If you Are a recreational hiker As opposed to a Walker you should move up to the next level of Boot choose a lightweight leather Model that comes above the ankle. The sole should have medium depth cleats and lie moderately flexible for Long treks but hard enough to protect the sole of your foot from Stone bruises on Mountain trails. A. Charlie Burchfield sales clerk at the Mainz Kastel store suggests the Raich or the Yaindl super fun. Both Are lined with Core Tex and according to a Burchfield Quot will not soak this is an important advantage in wet weather or when crossing streams and rivulets. Other Low Impact hiking boots Are lined with soft supple leather. Another step up in the hiking Boot line Are models such As the Raichle Nepal with yet heavier leather uppers and stiffer soles. These Aie heavy duty hiking boots one notch below Mountain climbing Bools. They will protect your feet top and Bottom and provide nonskid traction on most surfaces. The final category of hiking boots is the Rock hard leather or plastic line for serious Mountain climbers. These models Are practically in bendable and Are made to take a beating. They Are reinforced with steel for top Protection from rocks Mccand Sharp objects. Like some ski boots Many of the plastic models have removable soft liners. These boots Are designed to have climbing Irons or crampons attached to them. As with any sports equipment the most important thing is not to buy More or less Boot than you need. The fact that a Boot is More expensive does not necessarily mean it is belter for you. Heavy Mountain climbing boots will provide disadvantages rather than advantages to someone who uses them for leisurely strolling in the a goods Cecil Gaskins another Salesman at the Mainz Kastel store says people who buy boots above their skill and conditioning level will Quot just Wear themselves out basically. It s like wearing leg weights Quot Good hiking boots Cost from around $50 to $200. Popular european brands in addition to Raichle and Meindl include Lowa and Wachstein. Some of the better known . Brands include Timberland. Dunham Herman Nike and Donner. June 20, 199 1 stripes Magazine 7 7
