Running downhill is another idea that will help a hiker to be more efficient. It takes an increase amount of energy to climb a hill because you must do extra work against the force of gravity. This work is not wasted because energy can not be created or destroyed, instead it is turned into potential energy (PE). We all know that the greater your altitude the greater your PE. To prove this, stand over a cliff and drop an object. Be sure to check if anyone is below you. Before you drop the object Yell ROCK!!!!!! ( this is the universal signal for a falling object on a cliff).

Anyway, you will notice that you do not have to do any mechanical work to propel the object down the cliff. Similarly when you reach the top of a mountain you do not have to do any additional work against gravity to go down the other side. At least you shouldn’t have to do this work.

Most people do extra work against gravity on the downhill to help slow themselves . Realizing that gravity is working in your favor you can save mechanical energy by minimizing your attempts to walk slowly downhill. Every time you take a step on the downhill your muscles contract eccentrically (while they are lengthening) to slow you down. You may also notice that downhill walking creates more delayed muscle soreness, this is because eccentric contractions tend to create more microscopic muscle damage and thus more soreness. By decresing your attempts to low down by running, jogging smoothly down the mountain you will save energy and do less work.

Be careful, this technique is for experience hikers and backpackers only. Do not attempt to run downhill with a heavy pack(over 35 pounds). This technique requires, hiking poles, a high level of fitness (strong ankles) and a good understanding and level of proficiency in trail running. But for those who meet this requiment it can save some energy.

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