Yes, as with most shifts, just be smooth and take pressure off the pedals (yes this can be done while standing), and shifting to a harder gear is easier than to a larger cog, but both very doable, now if you don't know what youa re doing, and/or your stuff isn't adjusted properly, there is the chance for clanging, crunching dropped chain, or worse. I often yell "find a gear, ANY gear" when folks are just butchering shifts up a hill near me....