[pct-l] Hiking poles?

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good evening,

A berm can form from any kind of trail traffic, which eventually will
encourage erosion, but the worst offenders are bicycles and motorcycles.  Both
are bad because they tend to cut long, relatively continuous, groves in the
trail surface – particularly on hills -- which absolutely beg water to
follow and quickly make deep erosion paths.  We are very concerned about
this effect here in the Pacific NW where it rains a good bit.

Bicycle tires tend to have a higher inflation pressure, which equals ground
contact pressure, making narrow but deep groves.

Motorcycles use lower inflation pressure so they potentially won’t penetrate
as deeply, but with great engine horsepower available they tend to spin
high-traction tires often – mostly just for fun – which actually digs groves
rather than just impressing them.

Pack and saddle animals are a distant third as damage-creators, because
their footprints are round and staggered don’t create long, continuous cuts
in the trail.  Where stock causes the greatest damage is in wet areas like
meadows and creek approaches, and on steep hills where their scrambling
tends to kick out water bars which were placed – at great effort – to
control drainage.

Hiker’s footprints have very low impact and are barely noticeable.  Little
trekking pole pecks on the ground are sometimes noticeable, but their damage
is minimal.

Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 12:52 PM, Gerry Zamora <gerry0625 at gmail.com> wrote:

> So I just got my poles maybe 1 week ago been using them on local trails
> trying to get a feel to them and I came across some old timers maintaining
> the trail in my 15 years walking these trails first time I see any trail
> maintenance.  He began to ask me about my hiking poles and how I liked um
> and began to explain that he does not use them as he feels they damage the
> trail.  I told him that this is an equestrian trail and if any thing its
> the
> horses and mountain bikes.  He kinda gave me that look and I knew that was
> my que and I said thank you for his work and have a good day.  Shortly
> after
> I was looking around and next all the bike tracks I could see these little
> holes everywhere took me a minute and I realized that they are hiking pole
> tracks... I see plenty of people with um never gave it much thought.  So my
> question is are we doing more harm than good?  How much less damage are our
> hiking poles causing.  On another note I do like them as I said my first
> week using them and I can see why everyone loves um I can only imagine on a
> thru hike or section hike...
> Gerry0625
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