Steep Downhill Hiking Tips - Outdoor Minute - UtahGuide.com - Loose Terrain - Short Steps, by Utah Guide on YouTube. 1 min.
- Video length
- 1 min
- Time to do it
- 5 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Shorten your stride before the slope gets steep. Small steps keep your weight over your feet and stop loose rocks and soil from rolling under you.
Land on the balls of your feet first, not your heels. A heel-first landing on loose ground is the easiest way to slip.
Keep your center of gravity over your feet. Lean slightly forward with the slope rather than sitting back.
Plant one trekking pole ahead of you on each step to steady your balance. A single walking stick works too if you only have one.
If you carry a heavy pack, shift your weight slightly back to stay balanced on the descent.
On very loose ground like broken rock, get low and use your hands and feet in a spider-walk to descend.
Test each foothold before you commit your full weight. If the ground shifts, step somewhere else.
Stop and reassess if the slope feels too loose or steep. A safer route down is worth the extra time.
Tips and common mistakes
Overstriding is the main cause of downhill slips, so keep steps short even when you feel confident.
A fall on a steep slope can lead to tumbling, so slow down early rather than trying to recover mid-slide.
Adjust your pole length so you can plant them comfortably ahead of you on the slope.
Questions
Should I lean forward or back when hiking downhill?
Keep your center of gravity over your feet and lean slightly into the slope. Only shift your weight back a little if you are carrying a heavy pack.
Do I need two trekking poles for steep descents?
Two poles give the most stability, but one walking stick or pole still helps a lot. Plant it ahead of you with each step.
How do I walk down very loose scree?
Take short steps on the balls of your feet and get low to the ground. On the loosest rock, use your hands and feet like a spider-walk.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
