Without trekking poles I am sure I would have had an unplanned descent, like a slide or somersault, while hiking down from a mountaintop yesterday.

This all happened after I decided a good Saturday morning would be to take a hike up a steep foothill trail, even though we had two snows last week and the morning temperature was ten degrees.

On the way up I came across recent fox and coyote tracks, a herd of deer who watched me and the dogs from up near a cliff, and evidence that several smaller critters had spent some time on the new snow. I didn't see any lion tracks this time, as I have in previous years on that mountain.

When coming back down the snow was starting to melt on the steep due south-facing slopes. The most insecure footing I have experienced other than ice is when when trying to cross wet snow lying on top of slippery clay soil. More than once I felt the only hold I had to the mountainside was my two trekking poles jabbed into the dirt, especially when my feet would slide out from under me, kicking into the air.

I am not exaggerating (much). It was very tough going. I can't imagine what that hike would have been without those trekking poles. As far as I am concerned they are essential items when hiking on steep slopes.

Besides giving you a more secure base, with three or four points of contact to the earth at all times, trekking poles even out the pull of your heavy load while going uphill, distributing it between your legs and your arms, rather than just your legs.

Nobody else was on the mountain yesterday morning, except for the deer and fox and coyotes, which suited me just fine. A flock of fifty or more grosbeaks moved up the mountain near me at one point, flying low and landing frequently, and was particularly enjoyable to watch. One of them landed just a few feet from me for a half a minute, and I got a good look at its markings and the distinguishing shape of its beak, which is used to crack seeds.

The snow hanging to the cliff rocks, the play of light and shadows on the snow, the fresh animal tracks, all made for a worthwhile Saturday morning of exploring and paying attention , the kind that renews my passion for adventure and wildness and living right.