Hiking Adventures: Steady Rhythm and Pace

Posted by Camp Trainer on Mar 8, 2009 in Adventures • No comments • 177 views

The easiest and most enjoyable way to hike is to establish a rhythm and pace that feels comfortable and can be sustained for long periods.

Short burst of rapid hiking interspersed with long rests while you get your breath back are more tiring that a slower, steady pace. If you can’t talk comfortably, you’re going too fast.

When hiking in a group, set the pace by the slowest member - otherwise, slower hikers will struggle to keep up and will soon become tired and demoralized. Stay at rest stops until the last person has rested or eaten; if someone is tired and wants to camp early do so.

And if you’re finding it hard to keep up with the group’s pace, or if you find the distance hiked each day too tiring, speak up! Struggling to keep up isn’t fun and could be unsafe for you and the other members of the group.

How often you stop for a rest is a personal matter. Some hikers find that stopping at regular intervals and for a fixed time - say, five-minute stops every hour - is the best way to organize rests. In good weather scenic viewpoints make good rest stops.

In storms seek out the shelter of the forest or a large boulder or rockface. If the storm is really bad, it could be worth erecting your tent or tarp. Otherwise keep rest stops very short so you don’t get cold.

For a stop to restorative, you need to stay warm when it’s cold and cool when its hot, have something to eat and drink, and get off your feet. If the weather is cool, don an extra layer of clothing as soon as you stop - don’t wait until you start to feel cold.

It’s easier to stay warm than to get warm. In the heat, find a shady spot. Use a rock or tree as your backrest or, failing that, prop up your pack on a hiking pole or stick and use it instead. Stretching out your legs is a good way to rest them. If they ache or feel swollen, elevating them on a rock or log can give great relief.