Descents/Shaft length: on lesser slopes the shaft length need not be altered. Your elbows remain at your side, not in front; the shaft tip is flicked forward to drop down next to your toes first by quickly flexing your forearm and cocking-back your wrist. As the shaft tip touches-down the arm/hand starts to roll over (and pushes against) the length of the handle before you flex your elbow again to repeat the action in an easy circular rhythm. This means the shaft is angled in front initially and then becomes vertical as you move downslope, so it needs lifting off the ground quickly to be angled in front again and not get left behind! All this time the upper arm has hardly moved at your side, the action concentrates on the forearm and shaft controlling each stride, whilst establishing an easy rhythm.
Usually on a descent the focus is on the heel of the hand within the handle but sometimes to instantly increase the pole length, such as for a vertical step-down – your thumb/index finger press together at each side of the handle top, to touch down first, and then the rest of the hand sinks into the handle. This is similar to your toes reaching down a steep, vertical step before the rest of the foot is lowered.

On steeper descents lengthen the shaft so that your upper arm/elbow can avoid having to over reach away from the body. With the upper arm and bent elbow remaining close to the chest wall, the shoulder muscles action can act as a brace, stabilising the arm and trunk more efficiently. Bend your elbow to free the shaft tip and cock-back your wrist which angles the tip forward to hit a specific spot not far ahead (avoid over-reaching as this will affect your balance and your efficiency). Generally aim to descend steeper slopes in a “zigzag”, even a short length of a few strides will do. Try to keep your weight/trunk aligned over your feet and not lean back too far or arch too far forward. By taking shorter strides the height differential at each step down will mean an easier limb action to lower your trunk down-slope, with less stress on your joints. If the steep terrain is such that shorter strides are impossible for that section, then consider side stepping down. Lower the outer pole first, then the down-slope leg – before transferring your weight across from the up-slope leg. Often combining this action, interspersed with a few short strides along a diagonal (reading the ground ahead so you may be able to reach an easier incline section) is worth considering.
..........(continue)