[pct-l] Suggestions on considering the use of hiking poles

[Mike Saenz]

I had resisted two innovations in my hiking career: Poles and Platypus's
(platypi?)
I had dismissed these as just another gimmick to market.

I received both as gifts and discovered the following:

1) trekking poles are like handrails on stairs: they make climbing much
less demanding on my legs.
2) bladders and bite valves make me hydrate more than I would otherwise.

In both instances, I've noticed a remarkable difference on how I feel
after a day of hiking!

And more BIG advantages of poles: they double as my tent support for my
AWESOME Six Moons Lunar Solo! (I love that tent!)
And they are of great use when plowing through dense brush- I hold my
poles out in front of me and let them take most of the abuse from
scratchy brush. And then there's the whole stream fording and log
crossing help that poles provide.

I never hike without both now.

As far as the ski pole thing- it's best to adjust the pole length for
uphill and downhill. Ski poles (and some UL trekking poles) don't adjust
in height. And to support my AWESOME Six Moons Lunar Solo (did I mention
that I LOVE that tent?), I need to have adjustable poles.
Try your ski poles on a weekend hike. Use it on steep climbs and
descents. I believe you'll notice the difference.

Michael  Saenz
Associate Partner

MVE & Partners, Inc. | Architecture + Planning + Interiors 
Irvine + Oakland + Honolulu

1900 Main Street, Suite 800 | Irvine, California 92614-7318 | T
949.809.3388 | www.mve-architects.com

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Mary T Moynihan
Sent: Tuesday, January 09, 2007 3:58 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Suggestions on considering the use of hiking poles

I have been back and forth on the idea of using hiking poles. I didn't
use
them on my AT thru hike and with the exception for the few river fords
and
occassional rocky downs in the north, I really don't think I missed out.
I
like having free hands far too much. However, I have a rather bad knee
and
another thru hike will surely add to the injury. I am also thinking
poles
will be a great advantage to any snow covered sections of the trail. So,
suggestions?
Here's something else I am wondering. In order to avoid ordering a pair
of
poles and then determining that I just do not wish to use them as I am
hiking, would going out on some hikes with ski poles(which I have in my
closet) be able to help me decide if I should trek the 2600 miles with
some
additional support to my poor knees. Let me know if anyone has some
advice
on this and perhaps if anyone has some cheap(by good ones) hiking poles
for
sale.

~Spirit
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