Incline Hiking: 8 Tips For Conquering Uphill Battles

Do you ever find yourself struggling to conquer an uphill battle when you hit the trails? Incline hiking is difficult, and in every instance requires extra motivation to push yourself through. Some trails are created with steady switchbacks, and little elevation gain however not all trails are created equal. There are those that require grueling uphill jaunts, steep ascents, and are considered extreme in difficulty. With a little practice, a lot of patience and understanding the proper mechanics behind incline hiking, you too can complete these difficult trails or short sections of steepness in any hike.

Incline Hiking: 8 Tips For Conquering Uphill Battles

1. Maintain A Steady Pace – You may feel discouraged if you see others zipping past you on the trails but remember slow and steady wins the race. Start at a steady pace and strive to maintain this pace throughout the entirety of your hike. Keeping a slow pace will prevent you from burning out too quickly and will help you get through those uphill battles without wearing out.
   

   (Wikipedia)

2. Hydrate – Just as with any physical activity it is essential to stay hydrated throughout the entirety of your hike. Staying properly hydrated will enable you to maintain your energy levels and avoid dehydration – a sometimes fatal consequence in extreme cases. Force yourself to consume water every twenty minutes during your hike even if you feel like you don’t need it. It is always better to be safe than sorry and this is no different in hiking, particularly incline hiking.
3. Oxygen – Incline hiking requires ascending at a steep incline, climbing in elevation faster than you realize and exerting yourself at an expert level. Be certain to monitor your breathing at all times. Not only will this regulate your oxygen intake but it will also add you in keeping a rhythm. Monitoring your breath also acts as a nice distraction to the difficulty of the trail.
   

   (Wikipedia)

4. Take Breaks, But Not Sitting Breaks – If you get to the point where you feel you can no longer continue onward and need a break, it is perfectly acceptable to take a break. Don’t be afraid to stop and catch your breath every so often. The majority of hikers need a break every once in a while. The key thing to keep in mind is that you must try not to sit when taking a break. This way, you will make sure your heart rate doesn’t go back to resting. You’ll be able to catch our breath without completely losing your momentum. Find a nice shaded spot, lean against a tree, and take a moment to take in the breathtaking views before continuing.
5. Practice Rest Step – If your legs feel like Jello and every step forward seems like a chore on a long, steep ascent, consider using the Rest Step . This is a pause of motion with the rear leg vertical and fully extended, while the front leg is relaxed except as needed to adjust the balancing of your body and burden on the rear leg. The goal of this includes “locking” the knee, in order to rest the weight on the joints and relieve the leg muscles of exertion as much as possible. This may require practice but will enable ascent at a maximum steady pace.
6. Use Switchbacks – Ever wanted to take the road less travelled and beeline up a steep hill to get to the top quicker? Did you find yourself completely exhausted and drained after you did that? Sometimes the road less traveled isn’t always the best, as is the case in incline hiking. If switchbacks are available, use these instead to move uphill. They may make for a longer distance (and time hiking) but it feels a lot easier and is better on your joints. Many well-constructed trails have switchbacks built into them just for this reason.
   

   Switchbacks

7. Shorten Your Poles – If you are using hiking poles, shorten them for the uphill portion of your hike. If your hiking poles aren’t adjustable or you are using walking sticks, shift your grip farther down on the handle or on the stick. Some poles have a second, lower set of handgrips on the shaft purposely for incline hiking. Learn how long your hiking poles should be by clicking here .
8. Positivity – A little positivity goes a long way in all aspects in life. Maintaining a positive yet focused mindset will help you conquer the tough peaks no matter how exhausted you are. Focus on something that brings you joy – perhaps your kids, your spouse, your dog rather than the difficulty of the hike. When a negative thought slips your mind, replace that thought with a positive one – perhaps how stellar the view will be when you get to the top.