[pct-l] Super Secrets - Hiking Poles

[Tortoise73 at charter.net (Tortoise)]

I use Leki titanium poles with the angled (about 15 ?degrees) grips. The 
angled grips allow a more natural ergonomic wrist easing the strain on 
the wrists. I also use the wrist straps as described; on my poles the 
straps are adjusted by a Velcro closure. And the straps have a 
safety/quick release mechanism. Thus I just press the release to 
disconnect the strap from the poles so my hands are free; then simply 
snap the straps back in. Safety feature is for that clumsy fall (in 
spite of the poles) which could otherwise wrench or strain your arm/hand.

Hiking along on fairly flat terrain, I do a swing forward, lightly set, 
and then walk four(?) paces with each pole swung forward alternately so 
each swing/plant is offset two steps from the other. This method 
provides good stability for balancing while minimizing load on my arms. 
I let my legs carry me as they are evolved to do. Then on steeper 
uphills I switch to opposite pole plant with step to have my arms help 
move me up the grade while still having good balance.

So try out various ways of using your poles to determine what works for you.

Hiker97@gaol.com wrote:
> HIKING POLES: I like to use two of them for better balance protection (I am  
> old and need help) and they are supposed to take some load off your back while 
>  you hike.  I do not know about this last one, but I like them.  I use  the 
> REI #720046 poles.  
>  
> Be sure not to extend the lower pole section all the way to the last  marker. 
>  It can snap/bend out of the tube if you stumble on the trail and  put a lot 
> of pressure on the pole. Just leave several inches of the bottom pole  section 
> in the tube and then duct tape it in place.  Adjust the upper  section of the 
> poles so your arms are 90 degrees to the pole on level  ground.  I never 
> bother to readjust for going up or down hills.  
>  
> Also, almost everyone you meet on the trail will be USING THEIR POLES  WRONG. 
>  Slide your hand up the pole shaft and through the pole strap.   Then grab 
> the pole grip and adjust the strap so it is snug.  The wide part  of the pole 
> strap should be across the part of your hand below the little  finger.  It is 
> the proper strap use that is the key to using the pole for  extra support.
>  
> Your hiking buddy, Switchback
> Trail Pirate, Bear Baiter, and Camp Ruffian
> 
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-- 
Tortoise

I switched to Mac OSX rather than fight Windows
Using Mozilla Thunderbird  http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/