A question of balance

**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?

**pr_capone** · 07-12-2006, 02:23 PM

No Gaz???

And the situation really doesnt apply to me. If you were to replace racoons with a badger or something.... I would cross by swimming if need be and the cheetos be damned!

**Donger** · 07-12-2006, 02:25 PM

Are the Cheetos in a bag or are they loose inside the backpack?

epitome1170 · 07-12-2006, 02:26 PM

Just how wide is this stream and how high off the water is the board? I think the depth of water and height above the water plays into consideration for many

**Predarat** · 07-12-2006, 02:27 PM

I think I could get by with 8.

el borracho · 07-12-2006, 03:04 PM

How wide is the stream? Is the board wet or dry?

**Dartgod** · 07-12-2006, 03:08 PM

Yes, how wide is the stream? I'm sorely disappointed in the quality of this latest poll from Rainman. He has clearly lost his poll-making burst.

StcChief · 07-12-2006, 03:13 PM

8 inch assuming thick enough for weight

headsnap · 07-12-2006, 03:14 PM

what length of board?

**Rain Man** · 07-12-2006, 03:27 PM

Clarifications:

1. Gaz stayed at the car.

2. The Cheetos are in a Cheetos bag, but the bag is open.

3. The stream is 20 feet wide. (I swore that I put this in there, but I must have accidentally erased it.)

4. The board is 1.5 feet above the water level.

5. The board is, for all intents and purposes, dry.

6. The board is slightly longer than the stream, hence the fact that it is securely attached to each bank.

7. The board is thick enough to support your weight with no uncertainty.

8. The time is 1:00 in the afternoon.

9. You have been hiking for 45 minutes.

10. The board appears to be made of old-growth oak.

11. You're wearing a hat, but the hat does not affect your visibility in any way. Also, it's a smallish hat, not like a pope's mitre, so it won't affect your balance.

12. There's a light breeze at your back, but it's not strong enough to affect your balance.

headsnap · 07-12-2006, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Clarifications:

1. Gaz stayed at the car.

2. The Cheetos are in a Cheetos bag, but the bag is open.

3. The stream is 20 feet wide. (I swore that I put this in there, but I must have accidentally erased it.)

4. The board is 1.5 feet above the water level.

5. The board is, for all intents and purposes, dry.

6. The board is slightly longer than the stream, hence the fact that it is securely attached to each bank.

7. The board is thick enough to support your weight with no uncertainty.

8. The time is 1:00 in the afternoon.

9. You have been hiking for 45 minutes.

10. The board appears to be made of old-growth oak.

11. You're wearing a hat, but the hat does not affect your visibility in any way. Also, it's a smallish hat, not like a pope's mitre, so it won't affect your balance.

12. There's a light breeze at your back, but it's not strong enough to affect your balance.

what's the humidity?

**Rain Man** · 07-12-2006, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headsnap

what's the humidity?

19%.

The dew point is 47 degrees.

The music playing through your mind is The Theme From Bonanza.

el borracho · 07-12-2006, 03:35 PM

How much beer have I had to drink at the point of decision-making?

**Donger** · 07-12-2006, 03:35 PM

Am I wearing underwear?

el borracho · 07-12-2006, 03:37 PM

Oh, I'll just give multiple answers:

0-2 beers, I would cross an 8 inch board.

3-7 beers, I would cross a 10 inch board.

8 or more beers, I would (try to) cross a 4 inch board.

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: $3078491 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: 141,621

07-12-2006, 02:23 PM	#2
pr_capone ** SOC & ** YOU Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chiefs Hell Casino cash: $10018214	No Gaz??? And the situation really doesnt apply to me. If you were to replace racoons with a badger or something.... I would cross by swimming if need be and the cheetos be damned!
Posts: 19,884

07-12-2006, 02:25 PM	#3
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $10129900 VARSITY	Are the Cheetos in a bag or are they loose inside the backpack? __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 181,288

07-12-2006, 02:26 PM	#4
epitome1170 CP's Resident S.E. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $9562460	Just how wide is this stream and how high off the water is the board? I think the depth of water and height above the water plays into consideration for many
Posts: 891

07-12-2006, 02:27 PM	#5
Predarat Run Chiefs fans, run!! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Casino cash: $9973863	I think I could get by with 8.
Posts: 10,776

07-12-2006, 03:04 PM	#6
el borracho In Pat We Trust Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Albuquerque, NM Casino cash: $6139148	How wide is the stream? Is the board wet or dry?
Posts: 11,843

07-12-2006, 03:08 PM	#7
Dartgod Wasted away again... Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: in Margaritaville Casino cash: $7180000	Yes, how wide is the stream? I'm sorely disappointed in the quality of this latest poll from Rainman. He has clearly lost his poll-making burst. __________________ If you shed a tear for me, please make it a tear of joy. -Joe Tracy (Nzoner) . .
Posts: 51,157

07-12-2006, 03:13 PM	#8
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	8 inch assuming thick enough for weight __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

07-12-2006, 03:14 PM	#9
headsnap "Think ZOOM!" Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Space Station #5 Casino cash: $1707236	what length of board?
Posts: 18,399

07-12-2006, 03:27 PM	#10
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3078491 VARSITY	Clarifications: 1. Gaz stayed at the car. 2. The Cheetos are in a Cheetos bag, but the bag is open. 3. The stream is 20 feet wide. (I swore that I put this in there, but I must have accidentally erased it.) 4. The board is 1.5 feet above the water level. 5. The board is, for all intents and purposes, dry. 6. The board is slightly longer than the stream, hence the fact that it is securely attached to each bank. 7. The board is thick enough to support your weight with no uncertainty. 8. The time is 1:00 in the afternoon. 9. You have been hiking for 45 minutes. 10. The board appears to be made of old-growth oak. 11. You're wearing a hat, but the hat does not affect your visibility in any way. Also, it's a smallish hat, not like a pope's mitre, so it won't affect your balance. 12. There's a light breeze at your back, but it's not strong enough to affect your balance. __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,621

07-12-2006, 03:35 PM	#13
el borracho In Pat We Trust Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Albuquerque, NM Casino cash: $6139148	How much beer have I had to drink at the point of decision-making?
Posts: 11,843

07-12-2006, 03:35 PM	#14
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $10129900 VARSITY	Am I wearing underwear? __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 181,288

07-12-2006, 03:37 PM	#15
el borracho In Pat We Trust Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Albuquerque, NM Casino cash: $6139148	Oh, I'll just give multiple answers: 0-2 beers, I would cross an 8 inch board. 3-7 beers, I would cross a 10 inch board. 8 or more beers, I would (try to) cross a 4 inch board.
Posts: 11,843