Mountain Bothies Association trustee Juls Stodel helps one frustrated descender with her uphill struggles in TGO’s new advice column, supported by Highlander Outdoor. Every month, one reader who writes to Juls with an Uphill Struggle will win an £100 voucher to spend with Highlander.
Main image: High in Glen Coe | Credit: Highlander Outdoor
Dear Juls,
Frustrated Descender, April 2025
On my way back down a hill, I’m often a bit over it, looking forward to my dinner (or the pub) and quite enjoy a bit of a run down.
One of my regular walking partners has a huge mental block about walking downhill and goes so slowly it infuriates me. How can I encourage her to get a move on, without resorting to giving her a shove?
Dear Frustrated Descender,
This is quite a quandary. Most of us are heavily motivated by food or drink, but the promise of pubs seems to have the reverse effect on your friend creating a contentious ‘Downhill Struggle’.
A shove may be extreme, so a lie seems moderate in comparison. “Oh no, the pub’s only open for 45 more minutes! Oh no, the parking ticket is about to run out! Oh no, the landowner has released the hounds!”
When called out for your deception after a harried descent, point out that at least it wasn’t a shove. I can’t promise you gratitude though.
Perhaps suggest working on your glissades? I’ll admit, our British hills of heather, mud and bog are not quite as appropriate for a controlled sit-and-slide manoeuvre as snowy alpine slopes but if Stuart Kettell can roll a Brussels sprout up Yr Wyddfa with his nose then, truly, the determination of the human spirit knows no bounds.
If she doesn’t want to bum-slide through British mud, or points out that parking was free, then bribery is a solid choice. Since clearly a pie and pint of Tennants gives her no impetus, you’ll have to consider what she really wants and what you are willing to sacrifice. You may well end up agreeing to watch a marathon of her beloved arthouse films together without once giving your commentary. What’s your finishing time worth to you?
This all being said, before you resort to gimmicks, lies and bribes it should be considered that a mental block is rarely broken by the exasperation of others. When walking with company, compromise, consideration and patience is key – all of which are far more successful approaches in helping her overcome.
Hiking etiquette states that a group should only go as fast as the slowest hiker. I don’t agree that this is true in all situations – my regular hiking buddy is over a foot taller than me; his legs are proportionate, and therefore his speed can be over a kilometre more an hour. Having equal navigational skills, our arrangement is that we simply walk at our own pace and predetermine points at which to stop and regroup.
This works for us because it allows both to walk comfortably. It also means I don’t have to listen to him continuously rant about disused railway lines and the sins of Richard Beeching for hours on end.
However, it sounds like you actually enjoy and appreciate your friend’s company. Otherwise, you would be using a similar arrangement, walking alone, or in the regular company of a different outdoors friend. It seems to me that slowing down, just having a chat, offering to take her bag or lend her a hiking pole, and taking that little bit longer to reach the end is a small price to pay to keep a valued hiking partner.
First round is definitely on her, though!
Every month, one reader who writes to Juls with an Uphill Struggle will win an £100 voucher to spend with Highlander Outdoor.
