Perry wrote:halhiker wrote:I really don't use them except when traveling on snow.
Same here. Carrying them is annoying, but they are nice for snowshoeing (with large powder baskets) or steep alpine climbs. Not trails. And I don't like it when some people take up the entire width of the trail with their poles. For somebody with knee problems or carrying a large frame backpack, I can understand them using poles on trails if they're careful not to trip people.
For those who run I can see using them would get in the way. I tried running with them
for about 10 seconds, forget it. Anything less than 5 mph works well. And especially if you are carrying something. Like more than just your water and a day pack. I don't have bad knees, But eventually everybody is going to have them. I mean come on, let's face it, down hill stuff puts real impact on them. So I see using them as delaying the bad knee syndrome.
Perry wrote: And I don't like it when some people take up the entire width of the trail with their poles. For somebody with knee problems or carrying a large frame backpack, I can understand them using poles on trails if they're careful not to trip people.
Never heard of that.
Somebody tripped you with a hiking stick? intentionally? come on.. maybe you mean unintentionally.
My experience with runners coming up from behind me is that they rarely make their presence known. If I was running and was about to pass a pole hiker I would well in advance let them know they are in the fast lane. If you try to pass someone with sticks that doesn't know you are about to fly by and trip on their pole then that's your fault. On the other hand if you do all that and they don't give you room then that's a different story. But you know almost everybody will yield if you are respectful. I don't like it when runners pass me w/o giving me a warning. Scares me to death! When they pass I yell "Man! Why don't you say something" same with mountain bikers.
One good thing I get out of not being forewarned is that it sure makes me think that if I can't even hear some dude pounding the trail or a mountain bike until they are beside me as they pass, then how ez a cougar would have it!
Talk about dead meat hiking!