A question of balance - Page 2

**Rain Man** · 07-12-2006, 02:15 PM

Assume that you are out hiking in the woods, or for those of you who live in desert climates, the desert. You've got the usual hiking garb, including a small backpack with your Cheetos in it.

You come upon a small stream, and ...

Okay, if you live in a desert climate, assume that you're hiking in the woods anyway, or otherwise the whole stream thing won't work.

Let's try it again.

You come upon a small stream. It's cold enough and deep enough that it will be quite uncomfortable for the remainder of the day if you fall in, though it's not dangerous. It'll also ruin your Cheetos, and you can't throw them to the other side because of an irrational fear of raccoons stealing them.

You would like to cross to the other side, but it's no big deal either way. The hiking is a little better over there, and there may be fewer raccoons.

There is a board that is stretched across the stream. It'll definitely hold your weight, and it's solidly attached to both banks. However, it's only a board, and nothing more.

What is the narrowest board that you will attempt to cross in this situation?

Sully · 07-12-2006, 03:44 PM

Is this beam easily seen?
Or will it be like the walkway in the last Indiana Jones movie?

el borracho · 07-12-2006, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Am I wearing underwear?

Yes, ladies underwear. Just like always.

Adept Havelock · 07-12-2006, 03:49 PM

What type of wood is the board?

Hammock Parties · 07-12-2006, 03:53 PM

8 inches. I ain't fraid a'no water.

Hammock Parties · 07-12-2006, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adept Havelock

What type of wood is the board?

Balsa.

**Rain Man** · 07-12-2006, 03:53 PM

Additional clarifications:

1. You have had no alcoholic beverages or hallucinogenic drugs at this point, because you had to flush all of it down the toilet at a rest stop due to strong enforcement patrols.

2. You are wearing comfortable and relatively clean underwear, but you are not carrying an extra pair.

3. The board is not invisible, though at some angles it looks a little more like composite than wood.

**Rain Man** · 07-12-2006, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adept Havelock

What type of wood is the board?

This question has already been addressed in the clarifications. However, if it helps, the surrounding forest is a mix of coniferous Ponderosa Pine and deciduous beech and pin oak.

**Bugeater** · 07-12-2006, 03:58 PM

Could you repeat the question?

bogie · 07-12-2006, 04:00 PM

What kind of shoes am I wearing because that would make a big difference.

bogie · 07-12-2006, 04:03 PM

I'm going to answer under the assumption that I'm carrying moccasins in my back pack. If I can put on moccasins, I would cross a 1" board. But in hiking boots it would need to be at least 3".

Sully · 07-12-2006, 04:09 PM

Am I hiking alone?
Or do I have to worry that once I cross, my clumsy friend or family will have to make it across the same board?

WilliamTheIrish · 07-12-2006, 04:12 PM

Quote:

A question of balance

The Moody Blues?

**Rain Man** · 07-12-2006, 04:14 PM

Additional clarifications:

1. If the question needs repeating, please see the original thread and the previous clarifications.

2. You have only a pair of hiking boots, and no moccasins. You are wearing a sturdy pair of cotton socks inside the hiking boots.

3. You are hiking alone, because, as noted earlier, Gaz stayed in the car.

SPchief · 07-12-2006, 04:15 PM

If we get across to the other side, would there be beer waiting for us?

Adept Havelock · 07-12-2006, 04:17 PM

What speed is the water in the stream moving at?

View Poll Results: What is the narrowest board you would attempt to cross? (See below.)
1/2"	1	3.85%
1"	1	3.85%
2"	4	15.38%
3"	3	11.54%
4"	2	7.69%
6"	5	19.23%
8"	3	11.54%
12"	1	3.85%
18"	2	7.69%
24"	1	3.85%
30"	0	0%
36"	0	0%
48" or wider	1	3.85%
I would never try to cross water.	0	0%
I refuse to answer until the figures are provided in metric.	2	7.69%
Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll

07-12-2006, 02:15 PM
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $2818491 VARSITY	A question of balance Assume that you are out hiking in the woods, or for those of you who live in desert climates, the desert. You've got the usual hiking garb, including a small backpack with your Cheetos in it. You come upon a small stream, and ... Okay, if you live in a desert climate, assume that you're hiking in the woods anyway, or otherwise the whole stream thing won't work. Let's try it again. You come upon a small stream. It's cold enough and deep enough that it will be quite uncomfortable for the remainder of the day if you fall in, though it's not dangerous. It'll also ruin your Cheetos, and you can't throw them to the other side because of an irrational fear of raccoons stealing them. You would like to cross to the other side, but it's no big deal either way. The hiking is a little better over there, and there may be fewer raccoons. There is a board that is stretched across the stream. It'll definitely hold your weight, and it's solidly attached to both banks. However, it's only a board, and nothing more. What is the narrowest board that you will attempt to cross in this situation?
Posts: 141,840

07-12-2006, 03:44 PM	#16
Sully It Goes On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $10026331	Is this beam easily seen? Or will it be like the walkway in the last Indiana Jones movie? __________________ "And I don't wish that girl any bad luck," he said, "but I hope she gets hit with a car." - Tommy Lasorda
Posts: 18,295

07-12-2006, 03:49 PM	#18
Adept Havelock Obligatory Thoughtcriminal Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Flux,awaiting an observer Casino cash: $10004900	What type of wood is the board? __________________ No matter how cynical you are, it is impossible to keep up. -Lily Tomlin I'd rather be a climbing monkey than a falling angel. -Terry Pratchett
Posts: 14,305

07-12-2006, 03:53 PM	#19
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4210478	8 inches. I ain't fraid a'no water. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 279,550

07-12-2006, 03:58 PM	#23
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	Could you repeat the question?
Posts: 70,443

07-12-2006, 04:00 PM	#24
bogie West Coast Chief Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: california Casino cash: $10004900	What kind of shoes am I wearing because that would make a big difference. __________________
Posts: 3,562

07-12-2006, 04:03 PM	#25
bogie West Coast Chief Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: california Casino cash: $10004900	I'm going to answer under the assumption that I'm carrying moccasins in my back pack. If I can put on moccasins, I would cross a 1" board. But in hiking boots it would need to be at least 3". __________________
Posts: 3,562

07-12-2006, 04:09 PM	#26
Sully It Goes On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $10026331	Am I hiking alone? Or do I have to worry that once I cross, my clumsy friend or family will have to make it across the same board? __________________ "And I don't wish that girl any bad luck," he said, "but I hope she gets hit with a car." - Tommy Lasorda
Posts: 18,295

07-12-2006, 04:14 PM	#28
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $2818491 VARSITY	Additional clarifications: 1. If the question needs repeating, please see the original thread and the previous clarifications. 2. You have only a pair of hiking boots, and no moccasins. You are wearing a sturdy pair of cotton socks inside the hiking boots. 3. You are hiking alone, because, as noted earlier, Gaz stayed in the car. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,840

07-12-2006, 04:15 PM	#29
SPchief In Search of a Life Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $1452905	If we get across to the other side, would there be beer waiting for us? __________________ http://give.somo.org/site/TR/Plunge/...nal&fr_id=1244 ^^^^^^^^^^ Click here to help with a special cause. Please help me out
Posts: 36,007

07-12-2006, 04:17 PM	#30
Adept Havelock Obligatory Thoughtcriminal Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Flux,awaiting an observer Casino cash: $10004900	What speed is the water in the stream moving at? __________________ No matter how cynical you are, it is impossible to keep up. -Lily Tomlin I'd rather be a climbing monkey than a falling angel. -Terry Pratchett
Posts: 14,305