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  1. #161
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    Plus, Pilgrim, you want to come off as being a "mountaineer". I don't know what your definition of "mountaineer" is, but if your "mountaineering" is limited to a non-technical ascent of Whitney and you thought poles and/or crampons were a legal requirement to do so....you may be a poseur, not a "mountaineer"...just sayin...

  2. #162
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dogwood View Post
    I sincerely hope this thread doesn't represent the quality of the posts and WB users. I honestly expected higher quality more substantial discussion here on WB.
    Says the #1 poster on the thread...

  3. #163

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    Quote Originally Posted by imscotty View Post
    The Rangers I met did want to verify that I had a permit and a bear canister.

    ..and a wag bag in Whitney zone

    Dozens of day hikers walk up Whitney each day, no jackets, no acclimatization. Only a water bottle if they smart.

    Several people do die each yr on Whitney however. And theres one or two spots going around boulders on summit trail where a stumble or misstep would be a very bad thing

    Im not much for ooh ahh-ing city lights, but seeing the lights of Lone Pine, about 10,000 ft below thru the pinnacles at 330 am on dark night...was pretty cool sight.
    Last edited by MuddyWaters; 11-30-2016 at 08:43.

  4. #164

    Default Do you really need trekking poles?

    Quote Originally Posted by ScareBear View Post
    Plus, Pilgrim, you want to come off as being a "mountaineer". I don't know what your definition of "mountaineer" is, but if your "mountaineering" is limited to a non-technical ascent of Whitney and you thought poles and/or crampons were a legal requirement to do so....you may be a poseur, not a "mountaineer"...just sayin...
    Wow, what rhetoric. Why not give him a final kick in the gut while he's down.
    Last edited by Deacon; 11-30-2016 at 12:45.

  5. #165
    lemon b's Avatar
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    I think the older one gets the more benefit trecking poles offer. I use one now. Has kept me from falling and they can extend the useful life of our knees. When young I would not have considered using them. With age wisdom happens.

  6. #166
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    Quote Originally Posted by lemon b View Post
    I think the older one gets the more benefit trecking poles offer. I use one now. Has kept me from falling and they can extend the useful life of our knees. When young I would not have considered using them. With age wisdom happens.
    That point has been made but is worth repeating. Thank you.

    Clearly not addressed to you: I strongly resent the implication that use of trekking poles reveals weakness, poor life style choices, susceptibility to commercialism, peer pressure, etc. Poles are just part of the overall kit that we choose to use (or not use) as part of this odd recreation of ours. Same goes for gaiters, Guthook apps, and ground sheets.

    Well into my seventh decade, I'm grateful for the technology that makes it possible and keeps it enjoyable.

  7. #167

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    Quote Originally Posted by rafe View Post
    That point has been made but is worth repeating. Thank you.

    Clearly not addressed to you: I strongly resent the implication that use of trekking poles reveals weakness, poor life style choices, susceptibility to commercialism, peer pressure, etc. Poles are just part of the overall kit that we choose to use (or not use) as part of this odd recreation of ours. Same goes for gaiters, Guthook apps, and ground sheets.

    Well into my seventh decade, I'm grateful for the technology that makes it possible and keeps it enjoyable.
    +1 Poles have added at least 10 years onto my hiking life, probably longer. They provide a lot of benefits and make the time much more enjoyable. Don't use them if you don't want to, but for me, I make sure my poles are by the door before I put on my footgear.

  8. #168
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    +1 to Another Kevin — including his non-inflammatory reasoning.
    I'm not an expert hiker, but in my 43 days on Ontario's Bruce Trail, I did develop my personal style and appreciation for hiking pole usage.
    I'd say that most of the time, I carried both of them in my right hand, swinging them horizontal to the ground, i.e., not using them.
    In any situation I thought a fall was likely, I could swing them into use within a step. Almost all of the time I actually used them, I did not use straps. They hung loose.
    If there was an extended uphill without falls being likely, i.e., a smooth track, I slip into my straps and benefit from their proper use.
    If in any situation I felt that a fall was possible, i.e., rocky sections (of which there were many), or slippery or muddy sections, I specifically didn't use straps so that if I did perchance fall, I could drop the poles to avoid being caught in the straps.
    On the road-walking sections, I'd often collapse and store my poles.
    I've been a cross-country skier for nearly 50 years, so I appreciate the range of different ways of using poles.
    I will now never hike without my poles, since I now personally understand their value for hiking.

  9. #169

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    [QUOTE=MuddyWaters;2108089]

    Several people do die each yr on Whitney however. And theres one or two spots going around boulders on summit trail where a stumble or misstep would be a very bad thing

  10. #170

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    Please go hiking without poles.

  11. #171

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    Kris Fowler-Sherpa.jpg Chris "Sherpa" Fowler. Missing. Tragically, last seen hiking with no poles in an area where some real hardcore mountaineers might scoff at the need for them.

  12. #172

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    The question was: "Do you really NEED trekking poles?" Answer: "No." Only you know what you "need". And, full disclosure: I didn't really use a hand cannon to fire a tungsten carbide grappling hook in my Dragon's Tooth ascent either. And, I never zip lined from there to Joe Mitchell's barn at Four Pines either. I also did not ghost write Band of Brothers. It was all just posing for my upcoming reelection campaign. Please don't kick me while I'm down - I've actually been standing corrected for hours now. My legs are more tired than the time I went up Max Patch without my Lekis! Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.

  13. #173
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    I started using them 4 years ago. I have saved myself from falls from heights, in streams, down hills, they help take stress off your knees and joints. I use them for my zpack tent. I recommend the alpine cork black diamond long distance poles. If you have a problem with them they will back you up. Hope this helps.


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  14. #174

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    poles pic.jpg Hers'e a pic I like. That's me on the Crater Lake Trolley '14' with trekking poles I made because the Leki twisty lock dealios finally pooped the the sleeping bag on me after 3 years of continuous use. Yes, continuous as in 1,095 days and "never through". We hiked from the PCTKO to Snoqualmie, turned around and hiked back to Weed CA. Then SOBOed VA for kicks on our way to the CDT. (No idea how many miles that is - lots I guess.) Why did I make my own poles? No reason - I thought they looked cool.

  15. #175
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    Quote Originally Posted by Traillium View Post
    +1 to Another Kevin — including his non-inflammatory reasoning.
    It had better be non-inflammatory. If I don't use my poles, my knees can get quite inflamed.

    Thanks for the acknowledgment! As far as the rest of the thread goes,

    I always know where I am. I'm right here.

  16. #176

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    Don't forget to vote Pilgrim this coming election. Remember: a vote for Pilgrim is a vote for trekking poles!

  17. #177
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    Quote Originally Posted by pilgrimskywheel View Post
    Kris Fowler-Sherpa.jpg Chris "Sherpa" Fowler. Missing. Tragically, last seen hiking with no poles in an area where some real hardcore mountaineers might scoff at the need for them.
    Have you no shame?

    This post is repugnant. You are speculating on so many levels to justify your absurd position. You are willing to claim that Sherpa is missing because he didn't have poles. And you base this upon WHAT, exactly? ? ? Other than your obsessive need to be seen as some authority on a subject that people who are reading this thread are laughing at you over......stop it. Show some respect for Sherpa and his family. **** about Sherpa and poles, for a start. Check yourself. Exhibit some restraint. I'd tell you to quit making an arse of yourself, but I suspect that after a lifetime of such behaviour, you are going to be resistant to change.

  18. #178

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    Quote Originally Posted by shelb View Post
    I can't go without them... but then I am on the elderly side ... My young sons always wanted them - particularly liking them on the climbs and descents... As Christoph said, get a cheap set (Walmart = $19.99). Carry them for one to two weeks and decide.
    Last summer, I saw a few people without poles ... after 100 miles... say they want them in the future..

    Speaking of cheap poles. My first Walmart pair lasted at least 400 miles...

    good luck!
    This is the most offensive post in this thread!
    Excuse me? Elderly? I'm only a few years younger and I sure as hell ain't elderly!




    (Some of y'all need to chill. Better yet, go for a hike, with or without your trekking poles).
    Last edited by Traffic Jam; 11-30-2016 at 21:05.

  19. #179
    Registered User Venchka's Avatar
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    This thread is more bloated than the 3 page Patagonia fleece blather.
    Wayne


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  20. #180

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    This has really become too distasteful for me to even read at length.
    I started making my own collapsible staff from high strength tubing somewhere around 1975. A tad earlier than the current thing. No days I mostly use a reinforced carbon fiber ski pole that can take hellish abuse without so much a crack. When weight or the length of the ski pole is an issue, I go with collapsible poles. Cheap Walmart/KMart aluminum ones if the risk of damage is high, collapsible carbon fiber poles for easier conditions.
    They (or it, I mostly use one) have saved my ankles and my hash many a time, including a month ago on the Glastonbury Loop. Then too, my Appie tent/tarp uses a trekking pole for the front end.
    Here is an idea friends: If you want to use one or two poles, use them. If you don't, don't.
    Either way, let us stop insulting each other. Is it a deal?
    Let us pray for the soul of this thread and bury it with its sins.

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