Posted: 5/12/2008 7:40:14 PM EDT
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I'm learning my long overdue proper usage of map & compass and have an issue with the length of "pacing". I see sources state: Pacing uses a natural stride for traveling that is equal to TWO steps Start with your right foot and count every time your left foot hits the ground as 1 pace. Other definitions of pace state: a single step in walking (or ONE step.) I'm a bit confused - which is correct? |
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Ah, that makes a bit more sense - So as long as I stick to one or the other, using that number would yield a proper calculation. I guess it would only be an issue if someone else told me "go 120 paces to XXXX" and they didn't use the same system I am using. right? |
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The Romans counted paces, a pace being two steps or every time the left foot touches the ground or right foot if you prefer. A thousand paces is about a Roman mile, a thousand steps is about half a Roman mile. Mile (me-lay) is a thousand in Latin, from the thousand pace thing. A Roman mile is smaller than our mile, Romans were shorter and had shorter legs than us. Anyway the Latin teacher told us the Romans stopped for a short break every mile when they weren't in a hurry. On the other hand they might be in Italy and walk over to France or Spain. Those were some tough little guys. |