Using Walking Poles
If you are considering a walking/hiking tour, you may be considering the use of walking poles. It seems like the obvious and prudent thing to do for most people, yet there are others, myself included, who don't often use poles.
Some people may consider it like wearing a helmet on a bike, or in other words, as a security device. They do help provide balance on loose trail material or steep grades, or crossing streams. Walking poles will also, apparently, help reduce fatigue by improving breathing and posture. If used properly, poles will help travel more quickly as well, if that is your goal, and reduce overall stress.
There are really no arguments against using them, only arguments as to why they are useful and should be employed by everyone. There are those who use one pole, or a stick, to get the balance, but based on the argument that they are effective in all the areas they are, then 1 pole in each hand is the most logical solution.
I have often avoided them for several reasons:
- just more gear to carry; and if non-telescoping then totally too bulky
- my hikes were short, and/or I wasn't carrying any gear for which I needed improved efficiency
- balance can be hindered as well as aided by poles
- mountaineering or technical scrambles require hands and/or axes
- I like positioning my hands in the straps of my pack or under my pack and just different places to change things up
- looking funny
Well, as a promoter of walking and hiking travel, I have to advise clients that none of my short list of reasons are really valid. You should get yourself a pair of telescoping poles. Make sure they are sized properly, and that you practice and know how to use them. Your poles must have straps, or it seems to me that they are going to be a burden, just like some long unpackable pole will be. At the same time, I have to wonder; does it make a difference if you spend hundreds of dollars. The usual arguments apply: quality, life of the product and so forth. If it helps, I now refer you to a few good articles in the Backpacker website:
http://www.backpacking.net/trekpole.html
http://www.backpacking.net/walkstik.html
Enjoy!
L
posted by Loren Siekman @ 1:49 PM
3 comments
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