[pct-l] Trekking poles

[woodsps@home.com (WoodsPublishing)]

With the recent reliance on trekking poles, I just wanted to throw out a
thought:
It's still early in the season and I've already noticed that the trail
margins are well-tilled and ready for cultivation this spring, at just about
shoulder width and down to trekking pole tip depth.
We can't avoid some impact. We leave foot prints, and metal-shod stock
certainly have the heaviest effect.
Is this additional impact really necessary, and what are the long-term
repercussions?
RenoRick