Downhill is Hard on the Body, Uphill is Hard on the Soul.

How to maximize success in both directions

Often times I’m asked “which hurts more, going uphill or downhill?”. I always answer it the same way, “Downhill is hard on the body, uphill is hard on the soul.” When you hike uphill with more than 45lbs on your back it’s hard, but it’s the mental toughness that really makes it an ordeal. We should be plenty fit enough to where it ought to be manageable. However, the mind is what REALLY makes uphill tough.

Your thoughts while hiking up a breakoff mountain can take a toll on your soul. This I believe is 88% of the reason Hotshots look like homeless war refugees after a 1200 hour season. On the other hand downhill is tough on the body. Gravity is working with your steep decent to punish your knees, back, and shoulders. Ankles are turned over more than eggs in a diner. Downhill is rough on joints, tendons, and cartilage. So how can we maximize success in both directions? I’ll tell you.

When we initially look at a mountain the first thing that goes through the mind is “how’s the hike up going to be?”. This is actually the start of your hike. You have not even left the trucks yet and you are visualizing the accent to the top. Your heart rate rises and the crewmember next to you asks “what do you think?”.

In your mind you have already begun the hike. Most don’t consciously realize this, but it’s true. This is why going uphill is hard on the soul. There are people who dread a hike so much they lose sleep over it and think about it all night. People dream about breaking off mid hike. A true nightmare. This is a clear indication that your subconscious mind cares WAY more about uphill than down.

CONGRATULATIONS, the mountain already won. You have by now worn yourself out before you even start hiking uphill. Once you start the ACTUAL trek up the slope your mind will remind your legs and lungs that “it’s no use, I know how this ends". Even physically and mentally fit people will experience this. Perhaps it’s just the “fuck this” sigh of air that escapes your lips 14 switch backs up. Your mind is allowing you to accept, even if it’s only partial, defeat. This wears on an individual’s mental state and fatigues your subconscious mind. It can happen even without you being totally aware of it. This repeated action takes a toll on fire fighters and can cause compounding issues over time.

{Over time, not overtime.. settle down}

So let’s explore ways to maximize success hiking uphill so our minds and souls understand what we are asking them to do and how we can invite them to help us up the mountain.

Have a strong mental constitution: This will take time, effort, and practice to accomplish. To some folks this comes more naturally than others. Maybe they have a background where their upbringing demanded more mental strength. For others this is a practice that is difficult for whatever the reasons. Something as simple as learned self doubt can be the grandest barrier to one’s success in this area. So let’s get around that! The largest cheat code for this is pretty simple, hike A LOT before the season starts and put yourself in a positive mental state while you do it.

When pre season training is underway and you are headed to your favorite hike spot don’t allow yourself to say “this is going to be shitty”. Be confident that you’ll find enjoyment in the hike and express that verbally. When the folks you’re hiking with start to talk about how they are dreading it, be constructive to the conversation and tell them you disagree. Will it be tough, sure, but not miserable. Don’t allow the negative conversation with yourself to begin, and if it does, reverse course and conquer those thoughts before you start the accent.

Give yourself something to look forward to at the top: When you finish a hike have something to reward yourself with. This may seem ridiculous but it’s a wonderful method to encourage yourself mentally to the top. Perhaps it’s something as simple as a Honey Stinger Waffle at the top, a chew with the view, or a NUUN drink. Make sure it is something you can also provide yourself while on fire. Congratulate yourself and those around you after a hike. Acknowledge that it was tough but be positive about the outcome.

If you struggle mid hike with dark thoughts and defeatist attitudes then you have to break a wall down. Plain and simple. It is clear you have found your wall but have not yet been able to get over it. This takes practice and discipline as well. Truly, mind over matter is real and can be utilized as a formidable tool in your tool box. If you can get over these mid hike “self shame sessions” you will become so much stronger mentally. It will in turn increase your physical strength because you have consciously seen that you can achieve more than you did before.

Take the time preseason and during the season to reset your mindset to a more positive outlook on hiking uphill. Don’t just exercise your body, exercise your mind too. It’s worth it. Now that we have addressed some options to maximize your success hiking uphill let’s address some items to do the same for the downhill journey.

Downhill: There are a number of proactive steps you can take to maximize your success hiking downhill. Some can be done during pre season training, some can be done during the fire season, and some should have been done years ago. Crewmembers seem to have