| Let's get in a few words in here about technique. Sure you have been walking since you were a toddler however there are ways to do it better. A quick example will show this to be true. Hills, love'em or hate them if you backpack you have to climb them. Now you have two choices, you can try storming up the side of a mountain (let me know when your heart explodes, I have dibs on your food bag) Or two you apply a little bit of technique. Instead of taking big huge steps take small ones. On the really steep climbs your heel should barely clear the toes without lifting the foot any higher than is necessary. Also keep your heels down, this will take alot of the strain off of the calves as well as providing much better traction. Follow this up with cutting your pace down by 1/3 - 2/3 of your normal rate. All this may sound small, however once you start using these techniques you will find yourself flying up hills. |
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"It's all downhill from here." Sure, have another while you're at it. Now, there are a few techniques for going downhill as well. "Who needs them, its going down?" Suprisingly or not, you are more likely to be injured on a downhill slope than anywhere else. Blown knees, twisted ankles, and falling flat on your face is no laughing matter. Especially when you are miles from civilization and carrying a lot of weight on your back. The best suggestion I can give here is for a pair of poles or a stout hiking stick. They allow you to have more "feet" on the ground at once giving you more balance and stability. As well as removing some of the pressure from your feet and knees.
For when you are actually walking down it is important to control your descent. A good way to do this is to bend your knees more than normal. This lowers your center of gravity making you more stable also it allows your legs to absorb more of the shocks without fighting against it. Next loosen your load-lifter straps (the ones running from your shoulder straps to the top of the frame) This will help to shift your load backwards making it easier to control your speed. Finally "DON'T RUN" this is going to beat the hell out of your knees and feet. Not only that, if you so much as stub your toe you will end up landing on your face (been there, done that, got the T-shirt) Ordinarily you would not have a problem recovering your balance, except remember that 40lbs. you have riding on your back? Yea that's it. It will continue forward taking you with it. So take it easy on the downhills and enjoy the sights.
Now these techniques may work for you or not. The only way to know for sure is to try them. Experiment and find out what works for you. Now stop staring at the computer screen and get hiking.
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