Is Your Trekking Pole Technique Making the Uphills harder?, by Chase Mountains on YouTube. 8 min 6 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 6 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Loosen the middle and lower pole sections and set the length so your elbow sits at about 90 degrees when the tip touches the ground beside you.
On a climb, shorten both poles by around 5 to 10 cm from your flat-ground length so you can push down without reaching up.
Slide your hand up through the wrist loop from below and grip the strap and handle together so the strap takes the load.
Plant the tip ahead of your leading foot and slightly outside your line of travel, keeping the pole angled back toward you.
Push down and back through the pole as your opposite leg drives up the slope, letting your arm finish behind your hip.
Match the pole plant to your stride so each pole hits the ground once per full step cycle, not on every footfall.
On very steep ground, shorten the poles further and plant them closer to your feet for quicker, shorter pushes.
Practise on a short slope for a few minutes, then adjust length again if your shoulders or arms start to ache.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the pole tip behind the plant point, not straight down, or the pole slips forward and wastes your push.
Do not grip the handle hard the whole time; let the wrist strap carry the weight so your forearms stay relaxed.
Check the locks are tight before you lean on the poles, and keep tips pointed away from other hikers.
Questions
Should poles be longer or shorter for uphill?
Shorter. A shorter pole lets you push down and back without lifting your shoulders, which saves energy on climbs.
Do I need the wrist straps?
They help a lot. Used properly, the strap lets you push through the pole with little grip strength, so your hands tire less.
Can I use one pole instead of two?
Yes, some hikers prefer one pole on gentle climbs. Two poles give more push and better balance on steep or uneven ground.
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.
