Take it from the experts

Also in our March issue, Alex Roddie shared his advice on avoiding hikers’ fatigue [right]. One curious reader wanted to know more about the technique used by 19th-Century alpine guides called the ‘guide’s pace’.

Below we feature his question...

I was re-reading my March 2024 copy of your excellent magazine, and I was intrigued by a mention in Alex Roddie’s article of how to avoid fatigue when hillwalking. In particular, I wanted to know more about the reference to a technique used by 19thCentury alpine guides called ‘guide’s pace’. I had not heard of this before and curiosity got the better of me. So, I wondered if this pace is entirely individual or was based upon years of experience to determine an optimum speed for conserving energy. In the past, when planning routes, I have worked on the basis of an average walking pace of 3mph before applying Naismith’s Rule.

I look forward to satisfying my curiosity. Bradley Blake

Here’s what Alex had to say...

That’s a very good question! Like you,

I usually use Naismith’s Rule as a starting point; but even after taking ascent and terrain into account I still find that it’s often a fairly brisk pace. Although this is fine when the route isn’t too extreme, it’s on longer, more challenging routes where I find ‘guide’s pace’ helpful. I think it’s always been an individual thing. My own rule of thumb is to find a pace that feels about 2/3rds of my usual speed, then try to stick to it both up- and downhill. I find that I rarely need to stop for breathers if I do this. Everything

I’ve read about the history of Alpine mountaineering indicates that guides did this automatically and informally, doubtless based on their decades of experience.