Getting higher up. Those trekking poles really helped, although periodically I'd have to put them away when climbing over boulders. They are Leki Lhasa Lite Antishock Women's Trekking Poles which are very light and collapsible. I could easily attach them to my pack, which is a Gregory Women's Jade 28 Backpack. Very comfortable daypack, perfect for this trip. The only thing I would have done differently with it was add a hydration reservoir.