Trekking Poles on SJ?

[Carl F]

It's really a matter of taste. I never used them for years, however, I have skied downhill (telemarking of course) and cross country for over 30 years. There it would be silly not to use poles. I finally tried poles on a hike (Vivian Creek) and I felt an immediate advantage. Maybe in my case I am quite savvy on how to use them without extra energy expenditure, while gaining maximal utility. Who knows. I am sold. I will never hike again without poles. Those who do not know how to use them properly will probably not do as well. Did I state the obvious? Studies are useless in this regard, who teaches people proper hiking pole technique? Nobody. If you don't want to use them, fine, just don't cite scientific research proving your point because there is none. This is not science, it's an art.

C

[msugarpants]

I am going to give these a shot

http://www.amazon.com/Leki-Corklite-Aer ... 503&sr=8-1

If I dont like them, whats an extra pound, right?

[KathyW]

It's nice to see they've improved the locking mechanism on the Leki poles - that was always a problem with that brand - they would collapse all the time.

I don't use a pole or poles much anymore because they get in the way more often than they are useful, but I do like them in the snow and I often carry one in my pack if I think I'll be doing some scree skiing or creek crossings.

I switched from Leki to Black Diamond Poles years ago because the Black Diamond Poles didn't collapse like the Leki ones did. I have the cheap Trail Trekking Poles:

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en ... -pole-2011

I have the compact model because I'm short and they weigh less. It looks like they are discontinuing the one's I have because they're discounting them:

http://www.sunnysports.com/prod/BKDTRC. ... sku=BKDTRC

I had a pair once that had that anti-shock stuff, but they didn't work any better than the cheaper ones without it.

Anyway, some people like poles and others don't. I don't think people don't like to use them because they don't know how to use them (using hiking poles isn't rocket science).

[bluerail]

I have a pair....carrying moderate weight ( under 45 # ) i never use them, not even in snow...but what i do like about mine is the fact that they are pretty short and compact when broken down and store on the pack well.

and like Kathy mentioned...the locking mechanism...the twist ones seem to eventually or always suck, the lever locks work better imo.

[msugarpants]

On the skinny sections, they seem to be annoying to carry. On the wider sections, particularly the end of skyline (although i cheated and just wandered down 500 ft and back up), they were an immediate advantage both on the down and up. I have knee and back issues at times, and these unquestionably alleviated some stress. I do feel like they slowed me down and forced me to look down more often....and they seem to vibrate, which i did not like. But overall, they might be just what I need to reduce pain in the future.

thanks for all the input
-sug

[soulcamp]

My first C2C, I didn't have poles and encountered unbelievable pain in my knees during the descent. I vowed I'd never make that mistake again and purchased a pair the next week. My second C2C, I had my poles and the descent was an order of magnitude easier, with almost no knee pain whatsoever. These days, I won't hike any sort of elevation without bringing my poles. I only use them when going downhill, because that's where I encounter stress on my knees. But for me, they're a lifesaver.

If hiking downhill doesn't cause problems for you, then you're probably fine without them. I have short legs, so steep descents cause a problem for me because all my body weight comes crashing down onto my knees with long strides. With my poles, I am able to distribute that stress across two or three points instead of one, plus the added balance of always having more than one connection to the ground at any given time make them a no-brainer. I live by my trekking poles.

My first pair were aluminum ($27 from Costco) and served me well. I recently bought a pair of carbon ones because they were slightly lighter and have a little better balance. The twist-type are fine as long as you understand how the mechanism works (you should take them apart to see how everything works). They advantage of the quick-locks (at least to me) are the ability to adjust the heights while wearing gloves, but they come at the expense of added weight. Personally, I'm fine with either.

One other thing - technique is very important. You should not be "gripping" your poles. You should be utilizing the straps to make a connection with your wrists. Look online for videos of how to use them properly.

[physicslord]

I agree with soulcamp.

I would also add that make sure you are using the straps correctly. There is a right way and a wrong way. The wrong way can, in the worst case scenario, lead to wrist injuries or broken arms.