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Posted by SteveTheFolkie on December 29, 2006 at 10:58:30 am EST
In reply to Good ballance or trekking poles posted by Prelucir on December 29, 2006 at 1:36:04 am EST

John,

I've been backpacking and hiking for over 35 years at this point - the most I've used is a hiking stick (that I picked up in the woods) or an old faithful ice axe (used in snow, not as a walking stick).

I see a lot of people using trekking poles and I understand they can help you maintain a pace and perhaps make it easier to traverse rough terrain - but to a large extent it's my personal opinion that they're an example of the media's impact on peoples behavior.

As far as balance is concerned - good fitness - proper footwear and the correct loading of ones backpack would seem (for the majority of us) to be more than enough.

I dislike the carbide tipped trekking poles in particular because so many people are using them that it's scarring the rocks on many parts of the appalachian trail near where I live. You can actually see where the rock is being worn down, one impact at a time. The same happened in many mountain areas before the advent of lugged rubber soles on boots - the hobnails would wear down the edges of foot holds on popular climbing routes. I'm also not a big fan of the "click click click" that accompanies them.

For wading streams, you can always carry a portable wading staff (they fold - a lot of fly fishermen use them) or just find a stout stick before you cross and "return" it to the forrest floor afterwards.

Those are, however, just my observations and my opinion. Keep in mind, however, that humans have covered a lot of miles on foot without "trekking poles".

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• Re: Good ballance or trekking poles - Rosh 15:13:11 12/29/2006

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