[pct-l] Quiz One Reply

[hiker97 at aol.com]

Andy wrote: Use the strap. Put your hand in the strap from the bottom so you hold the pole with your finger tips. That way the weight is shifted to your wrists. The simple act of not gripping the pole tightly saves energy. It is also calming. A Zen thing.Switchback replies: This is outstanding and spoken like a true hardcore backpacker.  Yes, you grip the pole and then slide your hand up the pole shaft through the strap and grip the pole.  The strap must correctly adjusted, so the fat part of the strap fits across the fat part of the hand below the little finger.  It should be snug, but not tight.  This is the key to using the hiking pole correctly.  It transfers some of the pack weight and body weight to the pole.  Of course, for normal use the poles should be adjusted, so that your arms are parallel to the ground.