[pct-l] Suggestions on considering the use of hiking poles

[dsaufley at sprynet.com]

I'll echo what some others have stated on the advantages of using adjustable trekking poles vs. ski poles.  The spring action of the trekking poles absorb a great deal of shock on the down hill -- a big advantage if you have a bum knee.  Also, being able to shorten the poles allows them to be used in lieu of an ice axe when going over snowy passes, and they're a literal lifesaver when going through the deep, swift fords. 

Another advantage of using poles that no one has mentioned is that they keep your hands from swelling; I find that when I hike without them, my hands become somewhat engorged with blood (gravity, I guess), and I have to keep lifting them up above my head periodically to make the swelling go down.  When I use the poles, I have no such problems.   

The poles not only take some of the brundt of the pounding off your legs, but they also work your upper body, which tends to atrophe.  I used them as much pulling on steep uphills as I did on the downhills, and my arms and upper body got a much needed workout too. 

Another (personally untested and previously unmentioned) use of poles is that of a readily available defensive weapon.

Needless to say, I'd choose trekking poles over ski poles any day . . . they're worth every cent. 

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
>From: Mary T Moynihan <mary.moynihan at gmail.com>
>Sent: Jan 9, 2007 3:58 PM
>To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: [pct-l] Suggestions on considering the use of hiking poles
>
>I have been back and forth on the idea of using hiking poles. I didn't use
>them on my AT thru hike and with the exception for the few river fords and
>occassional rocky downs in the north, I really don't think I missed out. I
>like having free hands far too much. However, I have a rather bad knee and
>another thru hike will surely add to the injury. I am also thinking poles
>will be a great advantage to any snow covered sections of the trail. So,
>suggestions?
>Here's something else I am wondering. In order to avoid ordering a pair of
>poles and then determining that I just do not wish to use them as I am
>hiking, would going out on some hikes with ski poles(which I have in my
>closet) be able to help me decide if I should trek the 2600 miles with some
>additional support to my poor knees. Let me know if anyone has some advice
>on this and perhaps if anyone has some cheap(by good ones) hiking poles for
>sale.
>
>~Spirit
>_______________________________________________
>pct-l mailing list
>pct-l at backcountry.net
>unsubscribe or change options:
>http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l