Pace/strategies for long uphill stretche s

“I asked about this on the Presidential Traverse thread - but figured its an interesting general issue.

What strategy do you use when you face a major uphill hike as part of a very long day? (in the specific example its 4,100 feet in four miles followed by another 18 miles and 6K of gain - but the issue applies whenever).

Do you take long strides for fewer and slower steps or small steps - but stepping faster. I figure the smaller faster steps are a little like shifting gears for the uphill stretch on a bike?

Any other tips/strategies for managing your energy and strength for those butt kicker days?”

“I tend to walk more from the hips rather than the knees going uphill, and change how I place my feet. Stride length depends on trail conditions. I tend to mentally chant the BSA oath and law while going uphill, too. It sets a good pace.”

“I rest step and try not to outpace my heart.”

“Rest step:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rest_step”

“i generally shorten my stride and try to maintain the same pace.”

“I hike with my wife - she walks so damn slow that I never get tired! ;-)

no, but really, I just try and find a nice, steady pace where I'm not getting tired. Depending on how steep/hot it is, and what point in the hike it is, that can be a reaaaaaal slow pace...”

“I go around.”

“From the trailhead parking lot across from Upper Pines Campground the roundtrip hike to Half Dome is 18 miles. You will experience a 9600ft overall elevation gain/loss over that 18 miles. Another example is the Upper Yosemite Falls trip which is 9.4 miles roundtrip with 6000ft gain/loss.

I’ve always considered UPF to be a much tougher hike mentally due to the shorter distance but significant elevation gain but I don’t approach this differently than HD.

For both however I try to keep a consistent steady pace and try not to race off at the beginning knowing the day is going to be very long. As mentioned before using the rest step helps alleviate any muscle fatigue allowing you to go farther. You have to keep a lot in reserve because the descent is so steep

In your example, you will be gaining 10K feet in 22 miles which is 1K per mile the first four miles and then only 350ft per mile after. What you don’t mention is how much you gain and then lose only to gain again in that mileage. All I can think is how happy this is not on any of my hiking agendas this year.”

“Thanks Sandy, HPM, Fepsi, Roam and Treebait - the 10,000 is the cumulative elevation gain. So its ups and downs. I'm getting pretty psyched because so far it looks like most of my favorite local folks to hike with are coming along -we'll average a little under 2 miles/hour so hopefully it won't be too intense.

HPD: I find when my attitude is to go around things like this, I start getting round.”

“When I find muscles getting over worked, I will change up my stride - even moving backwards when it's safe (especially if I'm ahead of people) or sideways.”

“Dude, it's 22 miles in the mountains. Yer gonna be hammered! Either be Superman, suck it up and don't whine, or do it in 2 days.



Reminds me of a TR I read where a guy did rim-to-rim-to-rim in the Grand Canyon. He was concerned that he felt like he was gonna die at the end, and was mad that he didn't do a couple more gel shots. Hello!?”

“Also, the key to ups and downs is adjusting the straps on your pack.... Sometimes thats more important than the length of your stride...

'32oz”

“i make a point of going longer and longer between breaks. ill say "im going to get to that tree before i stop, then when i get there, ill keep going if i can. " also, i find it way more important to keep moving, no matter how slowly, than to try to go at a faster pace”

“crash makes a great point.

setting the overall pace at a level where you can keep going is key to making progress.

I used to hike with a lady that felt like she had to make a brisk pace. But, she'd have to stop and catch her breath very often. I finally convinced her to just slow the hell down a little and keep moving.

She enjoyed hiking a lot more after making that basic change in her approach.”

“follow a hot chick”

“I generally seize the opportunity to FINALLY outpace Sarabelle. Not so true, anymore - what with her being old and decrepid. Gizmeaux has taken up her slack as lead, and anyone would be a certified fool to try and outpace him.”

“BOL! I stil walk verry fats bwt. I usely walk and walk and walk in less I get verry hot then I lay down in a puttel and get kewd oft and walk more.”

“Have your kid carry a battery-powered winch to the top of the hill, paying out the cable until he gets to the top. Attach cable to your gear sled and hop on. Tell kid to turn on winch. Tell him to turn it off when you get to the top. Repeat on every upslope.”

“Some of you seem to think I'm nuts, but compared to these guys - what I'm doing is pretty mild:

http://www.meetup.com/hvhikers/events/15527861/”

“"Baker's best advise for this hike: Don't do it"

That's pretty funny.”