TREKKING POLES
burb...@pe.net
knees in certain situations? Are they good on rough cross country treks?
How much do they weigh? Is there any difference between brands? I am
getting ready to take a 200 mile bp trip through the Sierras, about half
being cross country and am curious if poles would be of any utility on
such a trip. sierra Trading Post has a pair of poles by Komperdell that
weigh 1 pound 6 ounces. Could these by any good? Thanks for any advice
anyone could give me on this subject.
kmsimmons
YES! Trekking poles make a world of difference, especially on rough
ground. I wouldn't go into the backcountry without mine, and I'm amazed
that so many folks hike without any sort of walking stick. I can't
speak for the particular brand you mention, but to my way of thinking,
*any* kind of trekking poles are preferable to having none.
Mike
Will
> Do they help spare the knees in certain situations?
Yes, dramatically so on steep descents.
> Are they good on rough cross country treks?
Helpful for balance on rocky terrain and water crossings.
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effectiveness of poles. My knees which used to throb pretty bad after a
couple hours and get close to unbearable on long down hills (thanks to Mt.
Washington) don't bother me at all if I use the poles. some times I feel a
bit foolish with them around crowds (basically anyone) so don't use them,
but I'm starting to get used to them (3 years now). They also make a big
difference in assents as the arms do a good deal of the work, I can now blow
past folks I used to be able to just keep up with. I did find it necessary
to figure out how to attach them to my packs as I don't use em on flats. I
picked up a set of the bent cork gripped (worth the bucks) jobs with the
shocks (not necessary but kinda cool) and I like em fine. I don't know if
the brand makes a difference but I'd save the bucks and go with the ones
from Sierra if they have the bent grips, the cork works pretty well if your
hands get sweaty, not great but pretty good.
Bob
Kevin French
kmsimmons wrote:
> burb...@pe.net wrote:
> >
> > I am confused as to the value of trekking poles. Do they help spare the
> > knees in certain situations? Are they good on rough cross country treks?
> > How much do they weigh? Is there any difference between brands? I am
> > getting ready to take a 200 mile bp trip through the Sierras, about half
> > being cross country and am curious if poles would be of any utility on
> > such a trip. sierra Trading Post has a pair of poles by Komperdell that
> > weigh 1 pound 6 ounces. Could these by any good? Thanks for any advice
> > anyone could give me on this subject.
>
> They make a big difference on downhills, taking a lot of wieght off the
> knees. On the flat you can increase your stride by pushing off. It gives
> you more points for balance in rough terrian.
For many years I use a single pole but while hiking a section of the AT, I
found out about the benefits of two poles, and have used 2 since.
I use nothing but the finest of throw away ski poles I pick up at the dump.
mouser
Everett "Skip" Lawson
rough surfaces (like the bottom of a creek!) but they allow you to use
some of that arm motion to pull you up the hill on steep trails. I live
in Marin county and we sit right on the San Andreas fault. Everything
here is steep, steep, steep.
In the backcountry they can also be used to set up a quick shelter by
using them in conjuction with that spare utility cord I know you all
take with you and a small tarp (rain fly, ground sheet, etc...). When
the poles are inverted the sharp points can be inserted through the
eyelets of a tarp for extra holding power. (WARNING most of the trek
poles are metal, so do not do this if you are caught in an electrical
storm. This method of shelter leaves less to be repacked when it is time
to move on and most of the related items can be stored in your favorite
"easy to get to" area of your pack without throwing off the balance of
your load.
They are also good for poking your hiking buddies in the back of the
head if they are moving too slowly. This is not recomended if you do not
have a nose splint in your first aid kit!
BADRADD
tool for checking the depth of snow bridges and of course they come in handy
for whacking the noses of those pesky black bears. I like the ones with the
rigid plastic grip retainers. Grab the shaft with yer thumbs hooked in the
lower part of the grip for accents. Normal grip or fist the top for descents
and yes they can definitely ease the impact on not just knees but spinal soft
spots as well. Try planting the left pole with your right foot, and vice
versa. I found a groove there that seems to keep everything in the slot and
results in way better overall endurance. The only time I've found them to be
more trouble than they're worth is when the flora and fauna get in the way of
the stroke. Then I throw 'em over my shoulder which helps to keep the tagger's
off my tail. They also come in handy during stream crossings for checking the
stability of that rock you're about to step to.
BadRadd
Bill Kirk
>
> I am confused as to the value of trekking poles. Do they help spare the
> knees in certain situations? Are they good on rough cross country treks?
> How much do they weigh? Is there any difference between brands? I am
> getting ready to take a 200 mile bp trip through the Sierras, about half
> being cross country and am curious if poles would be of any utility on
> such a trip. sierra Trading Post has a pair of poles by Komperdell that
> weigh 1 pound 6 ounces. Could these by any good? Thanks for any advice
> anyone could give me on this subject.
I wouldn't leave home without them. We were at Mt. Williamson in the
Angeles last weekend and a couple of us decided to explore the ridge and
did so without the poles, what a mistake! We really felt the difference.
Go with the Leki's they have metal guts as opposed to the plastic in the
Komperdell's (or the REI's) I think they will be better in the long run.
--
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Bill Kirk
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Peter Clinch
>
> burb...@pe.net wrote:
> >
> > I am confused as to the value of trekking poles. Do they help spare the
> > knees in certain situations?
Yes, by taking weight off them and reducing the impact of loading them.
> > Are they good on rough cross country treks?
Depends how rough you mean by rough... If you're amongst dense
vegetation they can be a royal pain in the arse, though with a
reasonable width of trail (surface doesn't really seem to matter that
much) they can be a major boon.
> > How much do they weigh? Is there any difference between brands?
Not sure, to be honest: never weighed mine. There are differences. I
favour Black Diamond because I prefer their Flicklock cam lever
adjusters to the twist locking system found on many other poles. Leki
poles are good quality. Many poles have fancy grips and shock absorbing
springs. Not, IMHO, worth having. Pairs are better than singles for
most people. Look at adjustable ski poles: they're often better value
than equivalent or inferior trekking poles because they're not flavour
of the moment (I just use my ski-touring poles).
> > Thanks for any advice
> > anyone could give me on this subject.
Take a look at http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/poles.htm, he said
blowing his own trumpet...
> I wouldn't leave home without them. We were at Mt. Williamson in the
> Angeles last weekend and a couple of us decided to explore the ridge and
> did so without the poles, what a mistake! We really felt the difference.
I actually use mine less than I used to, though part of the reason is
the generally better state my knees are in since I started using poles
and cycling and skating the muscles around my knees fitter in a
low-impact manner. For short/fast walks, or ones with quite a bit of
scrambling or climbing walk-ins I tend not to bother now. But for 200
miles I would definitely have them along.
Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net p.j.c...@dundee.ac.uk http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
Young Sul
A few weeks ago I was hiking in the Whites with some of my buddies --
I was the only one who was using poles. I was in the lead when the
guy behind me stumbled and fell HARD into the back of my backpack.
Because I was using my poles I was already braced and balanced. I didn't
fall or stumble because of his fall. Now, I expect that if I didn't have
my poles, I would have gone down and kissed some dirt.
Lets hear it for poles! :)
-y
KSonger
Leki's are the equivalent or better than any, at least they have withstood
the ravages of extensive use and abuse, although they are scored, scratched,
scuffed, and bent, they still perform superbly and have never failed. BTW,
they have the internal springs which I highly recommend.
Ken
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Peter Clinch <p.j.c...@dundee.ac.uk> wrote in message
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David A Burroughs
as a structure for a tent.
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BADRADD <bad...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:19990701000328...@ng-xb1.aol.com...
Trekerbum
going down hill. I have a specific favorite length to use for holding up the
tarp.
RobertS
mo...@ibm.net
them to be excellent. They are no different from Leki poles or others that
might cost $120.00 each, so $70-80 for the pair is awesome.
Poles help relieve stress on the knees, even with only a pound or two of
force through each pole you would save lifting several tons with your legs
on a trip that long. Also, when off trail they are superb in helping to
maintain balance, which allows the energy used in your legs to be used for
forward motion instead of lateral stability. I've used poles for a couple
years now, and don't hike, climb or backpack without them and I have strong,
26 year old, healthy knees. I know the value of my poles will only increase
with time.
Good Luck!
DunkSComp
They are supposed to relieve one hundred tonnes of stress from the knees over a
10 hour period, or something like that. This force still has to be absorbed,
so poles must increase arm and shoulder stress by that amount. Now, it seems
to me that evolution has made the legs and knees better able to cope with this
than the shoulders. Are we doing the right thing?
Dunk
kmsimmons
I've used trekking poles for several years and they have not been
stressful on my arms or shoulders at all. I also find that the
advantage of trekking poles is not only in relieving stress on the
knees/ankles, but also in helping with balance, which greatly reduces
fatigue of the small stabilizing muscles.
Mike
Rich
test this May on a NOLS course. on day 6 I strained the bajeezus out of my
knee ligamnets. By day 8 I could barely walk with my pack on. Yet using
trekking poles to absorb some of the weight and shock, I was able to
complete the last 80+ miles of the 104 that we did.
Not once did my arms feel undo or added stress. I cna go into more detail if
you want - bottom line is the added half pound of trekking poles are
absolutely worth carrying them. When you need them like I did,
*you-need-them* - plus added balance and stability for a Class III canyon
descent.
cheers
Robert L. Taylor
Bob
Rich <gator...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Csqh3.405$Zp6.1...@news.sgi.net...
snip
> you want - bottom line is the added half pound of trekking poles are
> absolutely worth carrying them
snip
Allen R. Nichols Jr.
hills of southern Ohio. They make a HUGE difference. Mine are about 145 cm
long. I'm 5'9" and they come up to just under my armpits. Just the right
height for me. A few things I haven't seen mentioned here:
Use the straps as leverage so you don't have to continually grip the pole
with your hand so tight. Use the meaty part of the edge of your hand and use
your palm to guide the pole. After a while it'll become second nature. When
climbing I use right arm/left leg and vice-versa. On decents I try to put
the decenting arm/pole just a second ahead of the decenting foot; left
pole/left foot, right pole/right foot. I'm still trying to perfect this.
Right now I go pretty slow down hill. You can get a pair of these
cross-country poles for around $20.00 as the local skii shop. But, if you
have the cash for a pair of collapsable trekking poles then get some.
They're easier to transport, you can use them for a shelter, and you can
lash them to you pack for climbing or walking on really easy terrain like
roads and such.
Every now and then Campmor or STP has them on sale for $40.00. Damnit I just
missed it too.
Al
burb...@pe.net wrote:
> I am confused as to the value of trekking poles. Do they help spare the
> knees in certain situations? Are they good on rough cross country treks?
> How much do they weigh? Is there any difference between brands? I am
> getting ready to take a 200 mile bp trip through the Sierras, about half
> being cross country and am curious if poles would be of any utility on
> such a trip. sierra Trading Post has a pair of poles by Komperdell that
> weigh 1 pound 6 ounces. Could these by any good? Thanks for any advice
Peter Clinch
>
> I use them myself, mainly when carrying a heavy pack, but I wonder about this:
>
> They are supposed to relieve one hundred tonnes of stress from the knees over a
> 10 hour period, or something like that. This force still has to be absorbed,
> so poles must increase arm and shoulder stress by that amount. Now, it seems
> to me that evolution has made the legs and knees better able to cope with this
> than the shoulders. Are we doing the right thing?
The point about poles is that you are fully in control of the level of
loading they take. If your arms are getting tired just don't push down
so hard, end of arm problem. But legs & knees, unassisted, don't have
any choice except to take the whole load, every time.
Arms aren't as good as legs, certainly, but they're strong enough to do
more than they usually do walking, which is Zip. Beyond that, every
little can, and does, help.