Hiking Poles...Imperative or Superfluous?

[Tenderheart]

Are the commercial versions a trap for gear junkies?

Probably!!

[max patch]

Hiking poles are an absolute requirement once you reach a certain age.

I'm not sure what that age is - at 59 I'm way too young to need them - but I'm guessing in about 20 years or so I'll be ready to give them a try.

[mtnkngxt]

Necessity for me since my tarp setup needs them. Gossamer Gear LT3s.

[Odd Man Out]

Necessity for me since my tarp setup needs them. Gossamer Gear LT3s.

Do you find that non-adjustable poles work OK for tarp pitching? Are they too long for some set ups?

[SunnyWalker]

I had my doubts and I also had my doubts about one in EACH hand? So i tried them by purchasing a couple from Walmart. Used them on AT. Wow! Really great. I noticed especially going downhill-one can use them like "brakes" however, they are more a stabilizing thing when going downhill. Now, I went and looked in my local Thrift stores and bought two ski staves (ski "poles"?). These are beauts and are sure lighter then the Walmart poles. They are real smart looking also. They have small baskets, where I thought they would have rather large baskets. I thought back on my use the poles and really don't remember adjusting them much if at all. So I am going to try these. You can't beat $3.00!!!

[mtnkngxt]

Do you find that non-adjustable poles work OK for tarp pitching? Are they too long for some set ups?

It really depends on your tarp. My MLD Cuben Monk tarp doesn't require a pole to be placed in a peak to be pitched like my Cuben solo mid. I bought the LT3s for the simplicity, but if I needed adjustable poles I would either go with the LT4s or the Rotulocora "old titanium goat" Yana poles.

[dla]

Do you find that non-adjustable poles work OK for tarp pitching? Are they too long for some set ups?

Google the "Ray-way" of tarp pitching and you'll see some photos that might help. Here is another example.

[dornstar]

I use them with my Lightheart Gear Solo, so I have them when I want them. I'm not the type that has to have them at all times though. Using the LT4s, you really can't get dedicated tent poles any lighter, so I'm basically carrying the pole weight free.