[pct-l] Ultalight trekking pole recommendations, plz

Hollywood 100marathonsorg at gmail.com
Sun May 12 16:48:35 CDT 2013


I use black diamond alpine carbon cork and I absolutely love them.

Reasons:
-cork handles are really breathable. The rubber ones are clammy and uncomfortable when sweaty.
-the locking mechanism is really solid and simple in construction. The twist lock ones don't seem to work as well
-they aren't the lightest but they are very lightweight in the hand.
-they are easy and fast to adjust for setting up a shelter as they are marked with length.
-they're really strong. I've leaned on them pretty hard to prevent some falls and they haven't broken or felt like they were flexing excessively.
-the carbon fiber doesn't vibrate like metal and is (for me) more comfortable in the hand.

The only con? They're expensive. 

On May 12, 2013, at 1:33 PM, Michael Irving <michaeljirving at gmail.com> wrote:

> Carrot,
> 
> Love the blog...great writing. I saw you weren't using trekking poles. Think of them as lightening your load, not adding weight. Use them like cross-country skiing on the uphills. When it's really steep I even sometimes put both up on the hill at once to lug me up. On the flats they kind of just skip around only to be there when needed like a slip or twisted step. Going down you can lengthen them a bit to help take the banging off your legs going down. Use a length like downhill skiing on average (90 degrees at the elbow). A little longer on a long downhill. A little shorter on a long steep uphill. Stay away from twist-adjusting poles as they are notorious for breaking of the mechanism. I've read that poles can take off 15-20% of the load off your legs which is huge for long days. You can also ditch a trowel if you have one as it can double for that. Also can prop up tarps for shade. Almost most importantly they are awesome for stream crossing when you're hopping rocks or on 
> narrow log bridges. You can cross "dry" at many more crossings that might not be doable without poles. Also good to spread the weight to minimize (not prevent) post holing. 
> 
> Give it a consideration! I'd never go back!
> 
> -GoalTech from Portland
> 
> PS I'm only a section hiker so I don't technically qualify per your request. :-)
> 
> On May 12, 2013, at 10:48 AM, Carrot Quinn <krotten at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> Hello!
>> If you're an ultralight hiker who thru hiked or is thru hiking the pct with
>> trekking poles, can u tell me which ones you're using and why you like them?
>> 
>> Thanks!
>> Carrot
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