Hiking Pace

Some people are what I call "fast starters" in terms of hiking pace.

They practically run up the trail, before their muscles have had a chance to get warmed up. They are either oblivious to their cold muscles, or determined to get a head start. Either way, their muscles can't be happy at a fast start hiking pace.

Other people are "slow starters".

They hike for a bit, then stop to make multiple adjustments to gear, or look for a snack, or consult the map, or just want to talk.

There's nothing wrong with making adjustments and being attuned to comfort level, but I'm left wondering how my muscles will ever get into the proper rhythm for the hike at such an inconsistent hiking pace.

So I'm a "not too fast, not too slow, just right" kind of hiker.

I want to get started at a slow, reasonable hiking pace and ramp up from there to the optimal speed, given the terrain, weather conditions, and how my legs are feeling that day.

Ever have one of those days when your legs feel like lead? Or your lungs are burning after just 5 minutes of uphill work? I have learned to give in gracefully on those days and slow my pace to accommodate my aging body.

If I try to ignore the feedback signals and forge ahead at a too-fast pace, my body pays me back later by not wanting to reach the summit, or being cranky and sore the next day.

So I advocate checking in and paying attention to how I'm feeling after about 30 minutes of hiking. I use that data to adjust my hiking pace to the day's condidtions.

And on days when my legs feel great?

I pick up the pace until I hit a wall, then back off slightly and maintain that pace.

Another factor that can affect your pace?

Trail conditions.

It's not possible to know ahead of time if there are downed tree limbs or deep ruts left by dirt bikes or horses on the trail (unless you were lucky enough to hear it through the grape vine or read a current trail report).

What if it rained the night before, leaving deep mud holes to negotiate? That will definitely slow you down.

There's also the possibility that a stretch of trail is closed or re-routed for maintenance.

Again, I'm philosophical about all of these possibilities.

If I have to go slower, so be it. Of course, it will eat into my turn-around time, but perhaps I can make up the time higher up or farther along the trail.

I always keep a running tab on how much time remains until I reach my objective (waterfall, lake, summit, campsite) so that I don't get myself into a time bind dealing with trail conditions. Some folks set a timer and when it's turn around time, guess what they do?

Turn around!

And there's one big condition which is non-negotiable: meeting a bear on the trail.

I don't even think twice. I simply backtrack and allow the bear at least 30 minutes to clear out before venturing back for a peek. I'm in her living room, after all!

The terrain dictates my pace, too.

In the Pacific Northwest, most day hikes that I choose involve a big investment of time climbing uphill in order to gain a vista. A vertical gain of three or four thousand feet in a few hours is all in a days work.

So I adjust my mental expectations to account for the fact that I will be spending several hours working hard. If I know that ahead of time (and I do, having read trail reports and descriptions), I don't feel bad about investing the sweat.

But when I get surprised by unexpected elevation gains and losses, or having to negotiate really steep and unstable footing, I become a bit cranky.

So knowing the terrain before hand, to whatever extent is possible, allows me to calculate the pace I will need to reach my objective by my turn-around time.

I recommend spending time with maps and trail descriptions before venturing out on a new trail for this reason.

Seasonal variations will change your pace, too.

In the winter, on snowshoes, the pace is slow and steady, slower and steadier if you're breaking trail. One foot in front of the other snowshoed foot - a zen like rhythm which eats up the miles. More frequent breaks make sense when you're burning through calories just to stay warm!

A quick word about hiking in groups: the slowest hiker sets the pace for the group.

It's a good idea to stay together, or at least stay in pairs. Having hikers strung out along the trail is asking for trouble, unless each of them is a strong, well-equipped hiker with navigating skills and common sense.

Too much can go wrong in the back country to advocate allowing a slow hiker to remain alone on the trail.

The trip leader should make the decision about whether the group splits up or not, and how to adjust the hiking pace. Putting the slowest hiker at the head of the line works well if the other hikers are able to mentally adjust to a slower pace.

And if you're the slow hiker, don't feel bad. Hiking in groups requires different pacing than hiking solo or with just one hiking buddy. Anyone who goes group hiking should be willing to accommodate the slowest hiker, and not get snarky about a slower pace.

So to sum up: pacing on the trail is personal. And it varies day to day within your body. Be smart enough to avoid injury by being smart enough to listen to the feedback from your joints, muscles, and bones.

After all, they're the ones doing all of the work!

Hiking pace is only one factor in good hiking technique. Here's more to consider.