[pct-l] proper use of hiking poles

[Douglas P. Bouche]

Correction in last sentence - "the pills or the hiking poles".  I'm happy I don't have sore knees anymore when I hike.

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Douglas P. Bouche
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 10:29 AM
To: 'Ken Murray'; '.'
Subject: Re: [pct-l] proper use of hiking poles

Good paper-thanks.

I noticed when I did the JMT last year I didn't have any sore knees for the first time in quite a while.  I had attributed this to the Triple Flex (glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM) that I had been taking before and during the trip, but it was also the first time I had used hiking poles.  Now I don't know which kept my knees from getting sore - the pills or the Triple Flex.  Maybe both.

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Ken Murray
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 10:09 AM
To: .
Subject: [pct-l] proper use of hiking poles



Excellent scientific paper on the use of hiking poles, with info on correct usage.
>From the UIAA medical commission:

http://www.theuiaa.org/upload_area/files/1/UIAA_MedCom_Rec_No_11_Hiking_sticks_2008_V1-2.pdf

some highlights:

In order to have any benefits from telescopic sticks, they must be used with the
correct technique

The sticks must be height-adjustable and have handles that are constructed in a way
that the user’s hands, when pressing down, firm support is provided

It has been shown that there is no significant difference in using one or two sticks when
walking without a load [1] , but when walking with a load, balance is significantly
enhanced by using two hiking sticks rather than one [2].

At high altitude or in cold environment the sticks should not be adjusted too long (the
hands should be lower than the elbow when using the stick), because otherwise the
circulation will be impaired and the user will get cold fingers in a very short time.

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