Do You Use Treking Poles?
I'm curious to know, because I feel like they would help tremendously, but I'm not sure. What's the skinny on the poles?
i was JUST wondering this myself. i hope lots of people answer!
Two Beers.
What's your take on them?Originally Posted by jessicacomp
poles
don't like them. false security. started hiking in 1959. my dad cut me a stick for walking and it ain't changed since. one stick hand cut and carved, that's MY way.
to each his own
Anytime I'm going up or down, I am glad I have them. Only time I find them slightly annoying is on level trail. Can't remember what I used to do with my hands?
"I wonder if anyone else has an ear so tuned and sharpened as I have, to detect the music, not of the spheres, but of earth, subtleties of major and minor chord that the wind strikes upon the tree branches. Have you ever heard the earth breathe... ?"
- Kate Chopin
I used a hiking staff for a good while. One time though, I forgot it and had to go back and get it. It was a pain, being that it was a half mile or so back on the trail.
I havent really used in a couple of year, and I have never used walking poles. I am thinking about getting a hiking staff though, just because I really dont like going down steep hillsides, and I think a staff is good for balance, not to mention it helps with self defense if ever needed.
Two Beers.
For years I used a hand cut cedar walking stick. It was a good friend, still have it but it is retired now.
I use 2 trekking poles. Sometimes they are in the way, but my knees just don't handle the downhill sections that well anymore. They are also nice for stream crossings with rock hopping. Excellent balance is better though.
I usually collapse and pack them for long sections of flat trail and road walks.
If you don't make waves, it means you ain't paddling
Hike without them from early 1970s till 2002. Now I use them almost always. It's not for having weak knees or ankles or poor balance. Just feels a lot more stable with the poles, esp. when the ground's uneven. A minor wobble can be quickly arrested, and needn't turn into a lurch or a fall. Saves energy. Gives me peace-of-mind.
Well, I voted for the single pole, since I have always used a hiking staff. But, I just got two leki poles, so after I try them some, that may change. probably, tough, it will depend on teh hike as to which ones I use.
Used the poles for Henry Shires Squall....
Poles help me going down some of the steep, rocky downhills you face in northern New England, and give me a push going up hill, or gives me something to push on when going up a large rock step.
Kirby
I used a single cut piece of wood when doing Kilimanjaro. It was a life-saver. On trails in Alabama (not a lot of ups and downs) I like the balance of 2 collapsable ski poles if I use any at all. When I start the AT, I'll probably carry both ski poles and donate/trade-for-cookies either or both if I don't want them along the way.
My Komperdell Poles helped me beat my way thru waist high May Apples on the BMT a few years ago. Without them, I wouldn't be here now.
[COLOR="Blue"]Hokey Pokey [/COLOR]
Kilimanjaro!wow.
Welcome to WhiteBlaze.
Without some kind of help I would not be able to walk very far.
I own all three kinds...love my solid wood walking stick...but very hard to fly with! At home on the trails I use that one...unless I am on really bad trails with lots of high steps up rocks and over roots...I use my ski pole. For some reason I feel it would not break as easy as the wooden one.
Could be a false sense of security there...lol
On trips where I must fly I take the 2 or 3 part hiking/trekking poles.
A must to be able to fit in my duffle bags and backpacks.
I usually like using only one...for some reason I feel I tire out more quickly with two poles. BUT I always take two for with steep climbs I use both.
Last year...twice I put my poles up (attached to backpack) on level ground thought I would not need them. Fell twice...I guess I need that 3rd leg to help out more than I thought!
Re: poles.
I find poles help with stability, especially on hills.
Finally replace my old wooden walking stick with a new one made of hickory. Added a deer skin grip, nylon web strap, epoxied a small compass on top, and drilled a sight hole through the shaft (sort of like a lensatic compass idea). Sure, it's heavy, but helps with balance while hiking and makes a durn good two handed weapon.
you don't need them
My knees loved them.
weenie
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