Principles of Climbing Hills

Posted on May 9, 2004 in Hiking

You cannot rush the ascent of a mountain and still love the mountain. Today, a hiker passed us on the trail to Vulture Crags. He zoomed up the terraces, achieved his objective in good time, and came right back. No stopping to enjoy the wild flowers or the vistas. I think he thought he saw enough from his speedway passage along the ridgeline.

I have my own philosophy of hill climbs, which is to take them no faster than my heart allows. As I regain my stamina for the season, I can do this faster and faster.

While retraining my body, I keep in mind the following principles:

1. Many slow small steps will get you to the top of a hill without winding you.
   
2. Never look up ahead of yourself. The sight of the slope still to be climbed may disillusion you.
   
3. If you must look, stop and turn around to see what you have gone past.
   
4. Use a walking stick as a third leg. Put it forward and use it to pull you up. The trick is to surprise gravity: Let it pull you down onto the next higher level. That way it thinks it has won.
   
5. Drink water as you need it.
   
6. Keep your eyes open for wildlife, tracks, vistas, and flowers. You’re not here to run a marathon: you’re here to be with nature.

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You may enjoy “Annoying Hiker Types“.