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Posted by RidgeHiker on December 30, 2006 at 2:45:28 pm EST
In reply to Re: Good ballance or trekking poles posted by TNHiker on December 30, 2006 at 2:00:24 pm EST

I use hiking poles for day hikes and snowshoeing frequently when I am in steeper terrain, which I mostly do.

Pros:
*Take stress off my knees.
*Exercise my arms as well as my legs (hiking, at least a few times a week is my main exercise).
*Helpful staying upright on loose scree moving downward on steep slopes.
*Helpful on icy, hardpacked snow without crampons or snowshoes.
*I have good balance but they have kept me from falling more than once. Especially nice at night where even with a light it is easy to trip - I am out a lot at night.
*Augment my leg strength when I need it.

Cons:
*More to carry.
*I have crossed a pole in front of my foot, caught it in the rocks, tripped over it and OUCH!
*They inhibit maintaining and improving my natural balance (though I mainly only use them going uphill unless I really need them on the way down).
*They snag on plants and catch in rocks - can cause problems and not good for the plants.

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• Re: Good ballance or trekking poles - RidgeHiker 15:39:45 12/30/2006

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