HIKING Help, Trekking Poles Article

[DennyRec]

I just started backpacking this year. The trekking poles were highly recommended by just about everyone. I got a pair and very pleased I did. My mother is a walker and she saw me using them and she uses too.

[finishstrongdoc]

Nice comback Ms.Jayah:congrats! My advice: use straps same as ski poles,hand goes in bottom of strap hole, grip top of strap where it attatches to pole, then gip pole. This gives mechanical advantage, reduces hand fatigue& tecnique mimics socket joint . Also, notice horse or mule and think of poles as two more legs. This suggests pole height should be no higher than hip socket. I like poles with angle grip,better ergonomically, just "feel"better. Made my own hiking poles 37 yrs ago

[finishstrongdoc]

@finishstrongdoc Made own poles 37 yrs ago out of shower rod&crutch tipw/strap of webbing. Because poles don"t adjust "on the fly" the hip high height works good enuf for both ups and downs.Chris Townsend "uber"hiker also likes poles with angled grip>That's my advice for what it's worth. Still' "hike your own hike" and don't forget to look up once in a while! Peace.

[slodeth5]

I can not reccomend trekking poles. I've used them a great deal, adjusting them, trying all kinds of ways and techniques, trying to make them seem worth the money and help they promised to be, giving them a fair trial over the course of an intensive year, but found them way more trouble than they are worth. Having your hands free is much more enjoyable while hiking. The alternative to trekking poles is not having them. My friends like them. I don't.

[marcellopenta]

@slodeth5 I'm sure you have not adapted to trekking poles, so you can't appreciate them: they give more balance, more grip and make you resist longer before needing to rest, they increase general safety when exploring. think about it! bye :-)

[slodeth5]

@marcellopenta I pretty much wore out three sets of poles. I'm quite familiar on how to use trekking poles. They mostly benifit stores selling them. Years ago these items weren't around and everyone hiked very well without them. The two main factors to hiking safe and easy is conditioning and as light a weight backpack as you can design. I go out now, for a five day hike in the mountains with a twenty to twenty-two lb. pack, with four quarts of water to start but no poles. Thanks for comment.

[slodeth5]

There is an alternative to trekking poles. You do not need them. If you like them, great. But I do not care for them. I used them on short and long hikes for a whole year, adjusting, not adjusting, doing everything I could to get them to help me, but they were a bigger bother than they were worth. I did like them on deep stream crossings, but a found stick does just as well. Sorry, not for me.

[SilverKnight]

I just recently started hiking and I think I might buy some. :]

[cdltpx]

2001 had major back surgery and using poles really increases the amount of time I can walk. As a former body builder my arms are very heavy with the mass I have across my shoulders and chest it is a no brainer to use them.

[oafbutt]

More news shows should feature such vital information.

[trekkingpoleguru]

Thanks! Make sure you catch the error :) jayah

[gluckpuerco]

The announcer mistakingly said to adjust the poles long for up hill and short for down.

[trekkingpoleguru]

You found the error!

Congrats! :)

[exploreryen]

I thought that was correct.

[gluckpuerco]

No, the general rule is to keep the poles planted in the downhill direction.

[trex250]

I just shook my head over that one! SHORT UP- LONG DOWN!