How to deal with a weak hiking partner

How to deal with a weak hiking partner

It's safe to say that Peter is a much stronger and more experienced hiker than I am. On Cotopaxi he jumped ahead at the front of the group while I was shaking and stumbling at the back. On Matavanu he kept me calm when I almost burst into tears. On Nevis Peak he found trails that I was blind to.

Of course, he's not the first to hike with a weak partner. In A Walk in the Woods, author Bill Bryson describes hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail with Stephen Katz, his pot-bellied friend, who shows up totally unprepared for the ordeal that lies ahead.

Sometimes, as in Bryson's book, the difference in performance can be funny. Usually it's annoying. Occasionally it is defeating.

However, there are things you can do to make the experience more enjoyable (or at least less painful) for both of you. Here's what works for Peter and me.

Don't lose your patience - even if you lose theirs

It's easy to snap at someone who doesn't seem to be trying. After all, it's just putting one foot in front of the other - all it takes is mental determination.

But it's not that easy for everyone. Physical fitness, altitude acclimatization, experience and attitude all play a role. A moderate hike for you may be extremely difficult for someone else. Try to stay calm and positive. Encourage the weak wanderer and don't show that you are bored or anxious, even if you are. This will only demoralize them further.

If they lose patience, don't get defensive ("Well, I didn't ask you to come" or "Most people can handle that"). They can be angry when they need to be angry, but you should keep your cool.

Give them space, but not too much

Don't think that you have to stay by her side. If you continue hiking, it shows that you are still benefiting from the experience.

alt=“Avoid heat exhaustion”>Atlas & BootsKia hiking in the Atacama Desert, the driest place on earth

Of course, you should be careful not to stray too far. If you are hiking in extreme weather or at altitude, you may need to keep an eye on your partner for symptoms of altitude sickness or heat exhaustion.

Plus, if you take a break and they catch up with you, spend five minutes with them instead of heading back out. They may have just taken a break, but they didn't.

make photos

If you have a camera with you, spend some time taking photos. This gives your partner time to catch up with you or even move ahead without feeling guilty for holding you back.

Don't change the plan

alt=“Opt for slow but steady progress along a well-planned route”>DreamtimeOpt for slow but steady progress along a well-planned route

If you're hiking in a remote area or dangerous terrain, don't be tempted to take a shortcut or deviate too much from your plan. We've heard reports of hikers getting lost for days because they took an unplanned shortcut.

Deviations from the plan lead to unpredictable events. The best thing you can do for your hiking partner is to make slow but steady progress along a well-planned route.

Lighten the load

If your hiking partner struggles with the weight on their back, consider taking some weight off their back if possible. Sometimes a few extra kilograms can make the difference.

When we arrived at Isla del Sol and I was faced with a steep 30-minute walk at almost 4,000 meters with 13kg of weight on my back, I knew I couldn't handle it. Luckily, a local boy offered to carry my bag for me. In this situation Peter could have done little for me as he was carrying 20kg himself, but in other circumstances (Matavanu!) he lightened my luggage which helped immensely.

Never become complacent

This should go without saying, but always pack the ten most important things and always tell someone about your plans - even if you're going on a well-worn hike.

Last year, seven hikers wearing helmets, wetsuits and harnesses died after a flash flood in Zion National Park. If unforeseen events can affect very experienced and well-prepared hikers, they can affect anyone, so give yourself the best chance.

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At the age of 44, Bill Bryson set out to hike the Appalachian Trail accompanied by his handsome friend Stephen Katz. In A Walk in the Woods he recounts his experiences in the vast, tangled forests that have frightened sensible people for three hundred years.

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