a cheval

[ryan_boarder]

what does and 'a cheval' decent mean?

[jefffski]

what does and 'a cheval' decent mean?

en cheval means to straddle as if one were riding a horse.

[Cloudraker]

Yippee kaye!

[tedium]

I dont know the context where the term "a cheval" was used but suspect that it refers to the use of your backpack as a sled to ride down a steep snow slope. You straddle the backpack and steer with your feet - that's the theory.

Tedium

[5.4 Slayer]

I don't think so Tedium. Cloudraker is right;

"A cheval - a climbing technique where the climber straddles a ridge or narrow arete and shuffles along with a leg on either side. This can give reassurance on level narrow sections with great exposure."

[jefffski]

i stand corrected. a cheval is the correct term.

A· che·val

[F., lit., on horseback.]
Astride; with a part on each side; -- used specif. in designating the position of an army with the wings separated by some line of demarcation, as a river or road.

A position à cheval on a river is not one which a general willingly assumes.

Swinton.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

from http://www.answers.com/topic/a-cheval