[pct-l] Trekking poles?

[Devon Taig]

I've always managed to find ultra-light cross country ski poles (I just
carry one) at Goodwill's / Salvation Army stores.  Dirt cheap.  **BUT** I
actually had one confiscated from me by TSA...the pole was deemed to be a
separate piece of luggage and therefore they wanted $25 (which I found
ridiculous of course), so I thought I'd just carry it on the plane.  I tried
to go through security with it, but apparently it was too sharp to be a
"safe" carry-on (which was even more preposterous).  I was imagining the
headlines..."Cross-country ski pole wielding pacifist hiker - TERROR in the
skies!".

As a side note, my favorite game while waiting for rides while hitch-hiking
into towns is to play base-ball with my walking stick and little road-side
pebbles.  This is extremely challenging (my batting average being .005 last
season).

River