Do you use Trekking Poles?

“They came in pretty handy on the North Fork Mountain Trail this past weekend.”

“I really need my hiking poles. My knees appreciate them, and I'd fall down more often without them.”

“way to go violin Poles are the most retarded thing in backpacking. they scar up the land and make everyone look very un cool. hell ya!”

“Yes, I still use trek poles.”

“I like using them. Although there are times when they are in the way. Most of the time they are a great assest. They say you can go 30% farther with them. And after using them I believe it. Plus they are great on really steep descents. Saves the wear and tear on the knees. Also has saved a fall a time or two.”

“Trekking poles damage trails.”

“I started using 2 poles this summer, but opted not to use any in the Grand Canyon a few weeks ago... Was walking, talking, and gawking, but not watching my feet... tripped and broke my arm... Wonder if a pole would have broken my fall instead of my arm???”

“Use of poles, & whether they damage trails, is dependent upon the trail, it's composition and use. It may damage paved trails in certain overpopulated areas in the East, but for scampering up & down the backcountry over loose granite scree in the west they are a godsend.

They DO save knees & other joints...see this months Backpacker mag for an interesting article.”

“I wonder if they do more damage than lug soles?”

“I use mine mostly when I'm trekking in the Himalaya, most trails are ancient trade routes so damage caused by trekking poles is neglible. There is no greater feeling than leaning over your poles heaving in lungfulls of air atop 5500m passes. As for at home, I think most damage is caused by people "braiding" the track than leaning on poles.”

“I use a 5' piece of bamboo, about $3 from a garden supply house, with a cane tip on the end and some good electrical tape (Scotch 33) for a grip. They last for 2 or more years.

I would never leave home without it, except when I forget it.”

“Trekking poles damage trails...not if you use those rubber tips!!! I've used them on just about every backpacking trip so far this year, and although you do get some slippage from them...it's better than nothing and they don't leave marks on rocks or holes in the ground.

In the Adirondaks I was on the Beckhorn *herd* Trail going up the south side to Dix Mtn, and it was unmarked almost the whole way and most of it didn't even look like a trail. That was the first time I was glad to see trekking pole tic marks because they pretty much *marked* the trail for me.

If the trail is flat...don't need them.
Other than that...they come in quite handy.”

“LeSubtil, I too have a bamboo staff that I used for years. I put a rubber grippy tip on it and wrapped the "handle" with 550 cord. I used it for years. Now I use reg trkking poles, but they also hold up my shelter.”

“If I didn't have my poles when I was hiking the AT last year I wouldn't have made it past the first week...they are an absolute essential!”

“nucc97, got any journals to post?”

“I do now!”