http://www.backpacking.net/bad-back.html#techniques

http://www.hitthetrail.com/rest-step-for-uphill-hiking

Read the short descriptions at these links. Together they pretty much cover it. As one article says it may seem awkward at first and you will swear it is slowing you down but after adapting it into your hiking routine you will find yourself automatically kicking into rest step as you start up inclines or climbing and although you may not be traveling as fast as others at the bottom you will not burn your legs out and need to stop to rest on some really hard uphill slogs. As you pass up the jackrabbit hikers gasping for air you will find the real value of the step is in its turtle like quality enabling you to walk on by. Of course I still get whooped by just about everyone on the trail but it still saves me burning muscles and time lost huffing and puffing.

jimmyb