How to hike better?

[wbmac]

Can anyone point me to some books or resources on how to hike more efficiently? I mean something that fully expands on the walking/hiking technique. Which path to choose, what kind of step to take (long stride or short), uphill/downhill techniques, footwear, push off techniques, breathing, etc. Things of that nature. I just sectioned 300 miles on the AT and feel I have more to learn on how to walk.

[mweinstone]

jim fixx. the complete book of running. freedom of the hills, the mountaineers. walk with spring, earl shaffer. and finnaly, baltimore jacks new book, walking on old knees.

[mudhead]

You might want to post this in the "straight forward" forum. Library will be a start. Got to be a book on "stepping over and around" out there. I'd read it...

[Marta]

Ray Jardine goes into these questions in his book.

Marta/Five-Leaf

[7Sisters]

If your goal is to obtain better technique on walking and want to "get how to" books, Walking with Spring will not meet this criteria. While a good book, it's not a how to walk better book. I would do more research on Walking on Old Knees as well (before buying).

Regarding Freedom of the Hills, this book is a great how to book, but more geared towards mountainneering than traditional three season backpacking. The majority of the book will not hit the mark.

I looked up Colin Fletcher's book The Complete Walker IV and not sure that will work well either. Here's the table of contents:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0375...27#reader-link

If this is your first 300 miles, I would agree that you have a lot to learn about technique and becoming more effecient as a hiker. I'm not still sure what your goal is though:
* More miles?
* Faster pace?
* Expend less energy?
* All of the above?
* Somethine else?

In all reality, I think you're going to find the answers to these questions on the traill, not in a book. Rather than reading a generalist book about hiking technique, getting on the trail in good condition will prob be the best way to address this. Specifically since it will be about how you hike and how you can improve.

Hope this makes sense.

[rickb]

There is something called the rest step in mountain climbing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rest_step

Not sure if it really helps so much on our little 4,000 footers, but the mental exersize of going through the process can be a welcome distraction. I am sure this is covered in the classic climbing book "Freedom of the Hills".

Personally I think you just need to "Flow with the Trail" and learn by doing.

Whatever that means!

[Dr O]

Ray Jardine goes into these questions in his book.

Marta/Five-Leaf

Yea, but if it's Beyond Backpacking, prepare to hike one-legged and one-armed after sourcing this collectible.

(Please reprint this classic book Ray! )

[bigcranky]

I'd get a copy of The Complete Walker, by Colin Fletcher. If you can get the original edition, so much the better. The 4th edition is more current in terms of gear and such, and still has a fair amount of Fletcher's voice coming through, so it might also be a good choice.

[MOWGLI]

The Joy of Hiking by John McKinney

http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Hiking-Tra.../dp/089997385X

[Time To Fly 97]

Lesson #1

At the end of the day, when you are exausted and feeling every step of that last mile, pay attention to how you are walking. Unless you are about to do a faceplant, you are probably walking very efficiently to save energy (you aren't bouncing, small steps, your forward lean offsets your pack backwards pull, you are not our of breath)...

Start off this way.

Happy hiking!

TTF

[Kerosene]

Many of these topics, and more, are covered in a recent book by Ryan Jordan (of BackpackingLight.com) titled, Lightweight Backpacking and Camping: A Field Guide to Wilderness Equipment, Technique, and Style. Some of the writing gets a little technical, but there is a nice mix of topics.

[Marta]

Yea, but if it's Beyond Backpacking, prepare to hike one-legged and one-armed after sourcing this collectible.

(Please reprint this classic book Ray! )

Are you saying I could put my copy on eBay and finance my next hike with the proceeds?

Marta/Five-Leaf

[Pennsylvania Rose]

Are you saying I could put my copy on eBay and finance my next hike with the proceeds?

Marta/Five-Leaf

Maybe not the whole trip, but you could buy a new piece of equipment. On Amazon the prices range from 73.89 to 185.59. Wish I had bought the book years ago when I first heard of it. I'm settling for finding it through interlibrary loan.

[MOWGLI]

I just sectioned 300 miles on the AT and feel I have more to learn on how to walk.

You'll learn vastly more by just walking than you will from any book IMO.

[SGT Rock]

I agree with Mowgli - books are good for getting ideas. Practical exercise and hands on experience (or in this case foot on) experience of trail-by-error is the best way to really learn how to walk. And I bet it takes about 100 miles to get it.

[wbmac]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm going to check some of em out right now. My goal is to upgrade my walking skills. Most importantly I guess would be to walk most efficiently. But I'd like to learn about all the hiking techniques.

I don't really need books that focus on gear. I have that part well done so far. I would like to read Beyond Backpacking but of course availability is an issue. I read the previous PCT Handbook and it had some great nuggets in there.

While I agree nothing substitutes experience, I'm of the mind that having a good book/coach accelerates the learning curve as well as delivers better end results. So I'm trying to track down some good info. Thanks!

[Frosty]

Use a pair of poles to get into a rhythm.

Recite poetry (iambic pentameter works best) aloud to maintain pace (one pole strike per accented sylable):

It WAS the SHOONer HESperUS
That SAILED the WINtry SEA

or

The FAIR breeze BLEW, the WHITE foam FLEW,
The FURrows FOLlowed FREE
WE were the FIRST that EVer BURST
INto that SILent SEA

Also, lengthen stride (slightly) on gradual downhills, shorten it on uphills.

[Time To Fly 97]

Lesson #2

At all times, try to keep your back straight. Hiking poles are excellent for this because they help keep your shoulders from sagging forward. This is very important because this allows more oxygen into your lungs. By keeping your breathing rythmic with your steps and concentrating on full but controlled exhales you notice a huge improvement in your energy level and less muscle fatigue.

Happy hiking!

TTF

[The Solemates]

http://www.amazon.com/Hiking-Engine-...9194696&sr=8-1

this is a decent book and may be similar to what you are looking for.

[wbmac]

Lesson #2

At all times, try to keep your back straight. Hiking poles are excellent for this because they help keep your shoulders from sagging forward. This is very important because this allows more oxygen into your lungs. By keeping your breathing rythmic with your steps and concentrating on full but controlled exhales you notice a huge improvement in your energy level and less muscle fatigue.

Happy hiking!

TTF

I think breathing correctly may be the single most important technique. I'm trying to track down some info on diaphram breathing. How to do it correctly while hiking (correct rhythm and technique). I've noticed a lot of times I'd be out of breath and muscles would be tired because I wasnt breathing deep enough not because I wasn't fit enough to tackle the incline at that speed. I've tried deep breathing on inclines and I find it helps me a lot. But it wasn't diaphram style. Sternum straps are also a big hindrance. They restrict breathing so much. I have them clipped but fully maximized so as not to impede my lungs.