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  1. #1
    Registered User
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    Default Trekking Poles or no?

    Hi!
    My friend and I are thru hiking the long trail in August. I am wondering if it is a good idea to bring trekking poles. Is there enough scrambling that it wouldnt be worth it?
    What do you recommend?
    Thanks

  2. #2

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    Default

    How much of the trail to you think is scrambling?


    Do what you prefer. Collapsible poles you can stick in pack are good.

  3. #3
    GA-ME 2011
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    Default

    I'd take 'em but I need at least one anyway to hold up my tent.
    "Chainsaw" GA-ME 2011

  4. #4

    Default

    I love my trekking poles, and use them on all but the flat parts of the trail...they are useful for anything up or downhill, and especially along rocky trails

  5. #5
    Registered User
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by AnnaBanana2 View Post
    Hi!
    My friend and I are thru hiking the long trail in August. I am wondering if it is a good idea to bring trekking poles. Is there enough scrambling that it wouldnt be worth it?
    What do you recommend?
    Thanks
    i've hiked the whole LT. i didn't use poles. never have for any trail walkin'

  6. #6
    Wanna-be hiker trash
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    Default

    I happen to be on trail right now on the A.T./L.T. Nearly every L.T. Hiker I've met this week has had trekking poles.
    Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.

  7. #7
    Registered User
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    05-06-2012
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    where i am now, which might not be where i am tomorrow
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    Default

    4 points on ground two times better than 2.

  8. #8

    Default

    Trekking poles...never leave home without them

  9. #9

    Default

    There is a good argument to be made for using just one pole, which leaves one hand free for clinging to rocks, roots and trees when going up or down the more insane climbs/descents. Which are mostly north of the AT/LT junction.
    Follow slogoen on Instagram.

  10. #10

    Default

    When I thru hiked the LT... My trekking poles saved my life once or twice..but im that guy that always ends up on his ass

  11. #11
    Registered User Engine's Avatar
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    Default

    They are mandatory gear on our list for a bunch of reasons. Knee savers, tent holders, bear bag lifters, steep climb boosters, etc...
    “He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.” –Socrates

  12. #12

    Default

    Depends if you are used to using them bring them along. If you don't normally use them this would not be the trail to experiment with them. Collapsible ones are the best because there are sections like Mt Mansfield where you will be climbing and not hiking. They would just be in the way at times. If it is a wet year some of the wet areas will swallow up a pole very easily and put you off balance pretty quick.

    As I have gotten older I do use them at times depending on the terrain. I did use them on the northern section of the LT and they were useful to me. I also use them to put my tarp in porch mode and as a spreader bar on the hammock tarp to give more room when sleeping so it does not bother me to carry them and not use them all of the time while hiking.

  13. #13
    Leonidas
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    Birmingham, Alabama
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    Default

    They can also be helpful for night hiking, not sure how much if any you plan on doing but the poles saved my wife and I several times.
    AT: 695.7 mi
    Benton MacKaye Trail '20
    Pinhoti Trail '18-19'
    @leonidasonthetrail https://www.youtube.com/c/LeonidasontheTrail

  14. #14

    Default

    I always carry only one (old habits I guess), and that worked well for me on the LT. There is some very slippery rock in Vermont and the pole came in handy. There are a few places where I put it away and used my hands, but not too many places.

    Anyway, you need at least one pole to check how deep some of the mud pits are.

  15. #15
    Hiker bigcranky's Avatar
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    We got a LOT of use out of our poles on the LT. Yes, there is some scrambling when you'll need to drag them behind (up) or throw them down (down), but they saved our butts many times. When we got home Dragonfly sent off to Leki for replacement bottom sections, as they had bent from all the falls and would no longer collapse all the way. Leki sent her two new sections.
    Ken B
    'Big Cranky'
    Our Long Trail journal

  16. #16
    Registered User WILLIAM HAYES's Avatar
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    I always use trrekking poles they have saved me from falling several times

  17. #17
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    Default

    Only if you want to extend the useful hiking life of back, knees, and ankles.

  18. #18
    Registered User Christoph's Avatar
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    Valdosta, Georgia
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    I never would have made it as far as I did without mine.
    - Trail name: Thumper

  19. #19
    Registered User Vegan Packer's Avatar
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    After skipping using my poles one time, I'll never do it again. They provide so much extra stability that they are entirely worth carrying.
    "Not many miles, but a whole lot of smiles." Vegan Packer

  20. #20

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Christoph View Post
    I never would have made it as far as I did without mine.
    There are so many times this has proven true for me

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