[pct-l] trekking poles

Wed Feb 25 20:57:50 CST 2009

I like Komperdell straight aluminum three section with cork crips and Leki 
round cup point carbide tips.  I nealty wrap electrical tape around the 
section joints where they telescope when the locks wearout, which doesn't 
takelong and have been using the same pair for a couple thousand miles, and 
the same tips for more than half that, and the carbide is like new thought 
the hard plastic around it is getting suspect.  If you are into light 
weight,  Gossamer Gear has some interesting carbon poles.  I've read a few 
tid bits about carbon snapping, but it sounded like bad pole etiquette.  I 
use mine a lot, and also double duty for my tarp and bug net. Haven't found 
a good reason yet not to use them, and on flats I often just carry in this 
hand or that which seems to keep my hands from swelling.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tortoise" <Tortoise73 at charter.net>
To: "neil petersen" <neildpetersen at gmail.com>
Cc: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 5:40 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] trekking poles

I haven't hiked near as many miles as Chuck, but I do have some
experience over 10+ years of using poles.

I agree with Chuck that anti-shock. When I plant a pole I want the pole
to stop moving; and if it doesn't it's because of what the pole is
planted in, not some dam spring. Obviously the AS adds weight and
something more to go wrong.

I have Leki Titanium PA trekking poles bought back in 2000 and I don't
know how many miles I've on them, most of it just hiking, not
backpacking. Typically I swing the poles forward with each swing good
for about 2 steps and I have no problem with shock. I use the wrist
straps all the time and grip the poles loosely. This plus the 15°
ergonomic slant of the grips is kind to my wrists -- variously diagnosed
as carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis. The straps are also handy for
preventing the occasional pole drop. If/when I buy another set of poles,
they will have the slanted ergonomic grips.

Just checking the Leki site and I did not see any titanium poles -- all
aluminum or carbon fiber. Even the new aluminum poles are lighter than
my titaniums.

Tortoise

<> He who finishes last, wins! <>

CHUCK CHELIN wrote:
> Good afternoon, Neil,
>
>
>
> I only use poles uphill, downhill, side hill, on the flat, through sand 
> and
> mud, across rocks, over snow, while fording, when pitching my tarp, and 
> when
> flicking sticks -- or snakes -- off the trail.  I don't use them when 
> walking
> on pavement.  I sometimes tell people that I'm getting so old and feeble
> that not only do I have to walk with a cane, I have to walk with two of
> them.
>
>
>
> I've used Leki and Komperdell/REI, and they all seem to work OK.  I rather
> like the Leki cork-type grips.  I've used rubber but it seems to make my
> hands black.  Plastic is kind of slick and DEET does strange things to
> it.  I've
> used foam grips but after a few days of DEET the foam unbounded from the
> shaft, slid around, and wouldn't stay in place.  The Komperdells are 
> usually
> less expensive, while replacement tips are much more readily available for
> the Lekis.
>
>
>
> I buy the light-weight titanium alloy model -- not as light as the carbon
> fiber, but OK.  I like to see them under 16 oz., and believe me I don't
> commit to carrying another pound of anything without having given it much
> thought and trial.
>
>
>
> To reduce weight and eliminate the aggravation of something I don't use I
> remove the wrist straps.  Sometimes I slip on a very light bungee tether
> around my wrist so if I happen to lose my grip the pole won't disappear 
> down
> the river or down the mountain.
>
>
>
> I do not use the anti-shock models, and I would pay more for sticks 
> without
> the springs.  I don't like the rattles so often associated with the 
> springs.
> I don't like the squishy feel when the anti-shock is engaged, and I don't
> agree that springs are significant in reducing shock.  The bone and muscle
> structure of human arms and shoulders can attenuate force over a distance 
> of
> up to 18".  The little springs in anti-shock poles can attenuate force 
> over
> about 0.5".  The longer the distance the less the average force must be to
> absorb the energy.  The shorter the distance the greater the average force
> must be.  It is my opinion that anti-shock is a marketing effort to sell a
> $1 feature for $20 by creative advertising.
>
>
>
> Steel-Eye
>
> Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT -- 1965
>
> http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye
>
>
> On Wed, Feb 25, 2009 at 2:38 PM, neil petersen 
> <neildpetersen at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>
>> hey folks interested in any thoughts on trekking poles. i have never used
>> them before but after knee surgery this last summer (meniscus repair) i 
>> am
>> thinking that they would be great for me on the downhills etc. i was
>> looking
>> at some leki poles, campmor.com has a sale and i was comparing the leki
>> makalu (20.6oz) vs the leki voyager (19.4oz) and was wondering what 
>> people
>> think of either of these poles. the makalu is heavier due to triple 
>> spring
>> shock absorber and i am wondering if people think the extra weight is 
>> worth
>> the improved performance. thanks for the time
>> -neil
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