Skills for Hiking, Climbing in High Mountains

Alpine Techniques for Trekking on Scree and Talus Above Treeline

Aug 15, 2009

Scree and talus are two kinds of rock rubble common to high-country hiking. To traverse the fine, powdery scree and the chunky talus require some practice and technique.

Some of the world's mot beautiful terrain is found in the high mountains, in legendary ranges such as the Alps, Himalayas, Rockies, and Cascades. Mountain trails, however, can be very different than hiking trails in the more protected and gentler lowlands. Some mountain trails may be little more than cross-country routes, sometimes marked by cairns, and sometimes not marked at all. The rocky, rubbly high-country paths twist knees and ankles, challenge balance, and sometimes make the distance of a mile seem to stretch for two or three.

Traveling on Scree

Scree is the fine, crumbly crushed and eroded rock that slides underfoot, making it seem that the hiker is going up the down elevator. Often, each step up the mountain is accompanied by a corresponding slide down.

When climbing on scree, look for a zigzag path and avoid facing the slope head-on. This helps eliminate the sliding problem typical of a direct assault up a steep scree slope. The mini-switchbacks are also easier on the legs, and require less brute force (to lift bodies and packs) and less stretching of the calves (caused by putting the foot down on a steeply angled slope).

On very steep and narrow slopes, making switchbacks may not be practical. In such cases, the hiker has two options:

Descending on scree is a bit faster – sometimes too fast. The quickest technique down a scree slope is called screeing, which is a little like skiing on hiking boots. The deeper the scree, the better. Limit this technique to slopes with few obstacles, such as big boulders that can be difficult to steer around. The basic technique is to bend the knees, then launch into a sort of slow-motion combination jog and slide. Hopping from foot to foot helps with balance, as do trekking poles. Gaiters keep scree out of the boots.

Alpine Trekking Through Talus

Talus comprises chunks of rock. It is the larger rubble that often is found on mountain slopes and at the base of cirques and bowls.

The biggest challenge in traveling on talus is to keep in balance. Often, boulders are irregularly shaped and pointy, and sometimes, they move underfoot. Walking on and around them can involve big steps up, down, and sideways. Keep knees bent and balance low, and, as with skiing moguls, always look several steps ahead. It is often easier to step down slightly sideways than straight down forward, which puts more stress on the knees. The easiest progress involves a fluid but controlled movement from rock to rock.

Hikers picking their own route up or down a talus slope should look for cairns, small piles of stones that are made by trail planners or other hikers, and which often show the easiest way through the maze.

When cairns are not available, pick a diagonal route rather than going straight up and down. The straight-up route may be more direct, but it is more difficult: to travel straight up or down on talus, The direct route is is harder on both knees and balance, takes more energy and concentration, and can put hikers below in danger of being hit by dislodged and falling rock.

Hiking sticks or trekking poles are perhaps the alpine traveler's best friend (Unless the landscape is covered in snow, in which case, that honor goes to the ice axe.) Trekking poles can help a hiker maintain balance, take pressure off the knees, especially when hiking downhill, and particularly on talus. Perhaps the most sage advice is to trek slowly, rest often, and be sure to take in the fabulous views of the high country.

The copyright of the article Skills for Hiking, Climbing in High Mountains in Alpine Adventure Travel is owned by Karen Berger. Permission to republish Skills for Hiking, Climbing in High Mountains in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.