I carry one oak stick. And for months now, just about everyone I see has two. It looks like people are going skiing. Is this really better? I just don't get it!
I carry one oak stick. And for months now, just about everyone I see has two. It looks like people are going skiing. Is this really better? I just don't get it!
For me it's a matter of balance, I used a Hickory stick for 25 years but was always a little unbalanced, Now with a set of Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork handle poles, Balance is once again restored to the universe!!
I would think they would trip you up instead of give you balance~!
Try it for yourself and make up your own mind.
Exactly... poles work for some folks, and don't work at all for others. I use two poles because I have less than great knees, and it really reduces the strain on them going downhills (for me). For other people though, they just get in the way. Try two poles out and decide then.
Don't take anything I say seriously... I certainly don't.
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It's funny you should say that, I was thinking about it while I was camping this past weekend, I remember once crossing a stream by using randomly located large stones, I did the arms out like an airplane to balance myself as I hopped from stone to stone trying to keep my balance on the slippery moss covered stones, I thought, Wow, That would have been much easier if I had Trekking poles back then.
And one time, using my very solid 5 foot tall hickory staff, I tripped descending a very steep hill and had to put most or all of my weight on the staff while grasping it with both hands, What followed was me swiveling around that one anchoring point (The Hickory Staff) and contacting with the ground anyway, While the contact was significantly reduced to just touching and not slamming onto the ground, I think having the two trekking poles could have avoided the fall altogether, Like have 4 legs instead of two. But, The staff would definitely make a better tool to fend off animals and I could probably knock a coyote out with it or any other aggressive animal or at least keep it at bay.
I have always hiked without poles until last year. I bought a pair of Alpine poles, cheap but worked. I wont go with out poles again. They really help save pressure off the knees. And balance..
Graywolf
"So what if theres a mountain, get over it!!!" - Graywolf, 2010
Yes, unquestionably.
Propulsion, balance, braking, rythm.
Lots of shock off your feet, legs, and back. More with shock absorbing poles.
Posture, especially uphill.
Using two ploes (correctly, straps etc.) compared to either one pole or none...an average of 6% fewer footsteps per mile
This a based on a combination of longer more relaxed stride and no hesitant steps for up/down. YMMV, usually more!
Lots of advantages.
Get the best..Leki!, of course, I am the Leki guy
Two poles are absolutely positively better than one.
balance when crossing streams'
help to maintain hiking pace
with two poles you can set up your tarp tent, one pole you can't (at least with the Squall model that I have.
Descending steep trail in white mountains you want two poles
DavidNH
I am a total klutz and have a bunch of small scars from bad falls I took back when I used just one stick. I've been using the same Black Diamond poles for 5 years now and have not a single scar from any fall. Best $60 (ish?) I ever spent on gear.
Two poles are necessary for me, but like I said, I am a total klutz.
I hike with one pogo stick....and sing this jaunty tune...
Paul "Mags" Magnanti
http://pmags.com
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The true harvest of my life is intangible...a little stardust caught,a portion of the rainbow I have clutched -Thoreau
Dogs are excellent judges of character, this fact goes a long way toward explaining why some people don't like being around them.
Woo
Its probably gonna be a few weeks before I go on any major hikes. I'm getting some tattoo work done tomorrow on my ankle and I don't want my socks to rub it while its healing.