Tips for overcoming downhill

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MrsElevation427
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Tips for overcoming downhill

Post by MrsElevation427 »

I recently joined my man, Elevation427, on my first 14ers and will be spending the month Aug/Sept exploring CO and hiking more.
Ignorance served me well on my first 14er, Redcloud/Sunshine going up. I just kept walking. Then downhill began on the Sunshine scree/talus field. The steepness was intimidating but I feel like I just slid down on my butt for 500 feet. I had to crab walk and scoot down. I couldn't get my head wrapped around standing and "trusting me gear"(shows) to stop me. I have great shoes. It took my nerves two days to recover but I'm still nervous skill wise and how to handle all that loose rock.

Any advice/tips?

Also were looking at some class 3 routes, what can I do on flat land to prepare for that?

Thank you in advance!!
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fahixson
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Re: Tips for overcoming downhill

Post by fahixson »

First thought, don't go down Sunshine. Go back over Redcloud to avoid that scree/talus field. Speaking more generally, try to avoid loose/annoying routes like Columbia, Bross, Challenger, etc., until you get more comfortable descending.

Second, did you use trekking poles? Those won't help you with Class 3, but I do find them useful on Class 1 and 2 trails, especially on the ones where I would otherwise be slipping to my butt often.

As for comfort with Class 3, search the forum for previous advice on getting used to Class 3 and 4. One suggestion that I remember was to spend some time at a climbing gym to get comfortable with climbing moves/muscles/balance.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll get more comfortable quickly.
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stoopdude
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Re: Tips for overcoming downhill

Post by stoopdude »

Definitely trekking poles. And practice.
MrsElevation427
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Re: Tips for overcoming downhill

Post by MrsElevation427 »

Lol Fahixson
Yes ignorance was bliss be I didn't even know the word scree before descending that.....lol

I had my poles , I was just afraid of rolling down hill...

Class 3 is more hands on, correct. Scrambling? like that hourglass at sunshine....:/
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AyeYo
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Re: Tips for overcoming downhill

Post by AyeYo »

If it's loose enough gravel/dirt/small scree, surfing or even doing semi plunge steps (if it's deep enough) is better than trying to pick your way through. Obviously you can't surf a slope if people are below you or it terminates in a cliff or something dangerous, but for long, loose descents over constant slopes with no trail below, it's fast and easy. If you fall, it'll be on your ass, which is easily controllable and safe. That also beats tripping and head-first tumbling down the slope.

And trekking poles.
bichito
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Re: Tips for overcoming downhill

Post by bichito »

Let's not forget route planning. Check the trip reports and route descriptions. The problem with scree is that once you start sliding you need to stop: no need to be fatal, just a small accident can kill the joy
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gspup
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Re: Tips for overcoming downhill

Post by gspup »

MrsElevation427 wrote:Lol Fahixson
Class 3 is more hands on, correct. Scrambling? like that hourglass at sunshine....:/
Well yes, but 'usually' there is some kind of obstacle (scree or boulder fields) before the class 3 stuff.

Also if the class 2 scree got your nerves going you won't feel much better when you start climbing class 3 stuff.
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ezabielski
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Re: Tips for overcoming downhill

Post by ezabielski »

MrsElevation427 wrote:Lol Fahixson
Yes ignorance was bliss be I didn't even know the word scree before descending that.....lol

I had my poles , I was just afraid of rolling down hill...

Class 3 is more hands on, correct. Scrambling? like that hourglass at sunshine....:/
Your story is really a story of taking the wrong route, it seems like. As soon as you get off route, things can quickly get very bad no matter what class.
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Jesse M
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Re: Tips for overcoming downhill

Post by Jesse M »

Downhill can sometimes cause more pain for me than uphill. I have found that poles help the knees and ankles, keep in mind that proper pole techniques are important. They have grips and wrist straps for a reason, and adjusting the height for down/up/flat can help. A Google search for 'hiking pole technique' is eye opening. I also like to look at the steeper downhills like many different smaller downhills. Going from one rock to the next rock or ledge, and force yourself to take breaks. I find that on uphill climbs I break for cardiovascular reasons, but I don't need to on the downhills, but my body/legs gets wrecked more going down. If I force a break every now and then, I find the downhills more bearable. Just some ideas, like someone said earlier, practice will help, good luck.
"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."
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GA_peach
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Re: Tips for overcoming downhill

Post by GA_peach »

Ah yes, the Sunshine scree field is never fun.
I have a unique way of dealing with things like that and any steep section that is mostly free of obstacles, I come down backwards.
Unorthodox but effective, it takes some practice and good balance and I often carry a walking stick to help. Poles would work too.
It saves my knees and toes coming down steep parts and gives you better traction.

Alan
There's a fine line between hardcore and stupidity.
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XterraRob
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Re: Tips for overcoming downhill

Post by XterraRob »

I find it easier to descend scree/loose dirt by making switchbacks on the way down instead of a straight descent (if on narrow trails, create mini switch backs and control direction of feet). Feels like it gives me more control of gravity/weight distribution so I don't go sliding head first or falling on my caboose.
RIP - M56
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rijaca
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Re: Tips for overcoming downhill

Post by rijaca »

Jump turns.
"A couple more shots of whiskey,
the women 'round here start looking good"