poles or no poles

In article <[email hidden]>, pign9 <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Poles, should I buy some or are they a useless waste of money, whets there advantage and how much
should I spend, been looking at Some Leki's, Also do I need two or will just one do

Thanks Mully

It depends <g>

1. How old are you?
2. How fit are you?
3. Do you suffer from Arthritis or any joint pains?
4. What sort of walking do you do?

I could not climb hills/mountains without them as I suffer badly on the descent, each step down
jarring my knees. I use the poles to lever myself down gently.

For me, one is nowhere near as good: I had to lend one on a downward run last year and I
found out then!

But spend the least you can. There is no advantage in sprung poles unless you are sprint-walking on
the level.

Bernard Hill Braeburn Software Author of Music Publisher system Music Software written by musicians
for musicians braeburn.co.ukbraeburn.co.ukOpen ↗ Selkirk, Scotland

"Bernard Hill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, pign9 <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Poles, should I buy some or are they a useless waste of money, whets

there

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

advantage and how much should I spend, been looking at Some Leki's, Also do I need two or will
just one do

Thanks Mully

It depends <g>

1. How old are you?
2. How fit are you?
3. Do you suffer from Arthritis or any joint pains?
4. What sort of walking do you do?

I could not climb hills/mountains without them as I suffer badly on the descent, each step down
jarring my knees. I use the poles to lever myself down gently.

For me, one is nowhere near as good: I had to lend one on a downward run last year and I found
out then!

But spend the least you can. There is no advantage in sprung poles unless you are sprint-walking
on the level.

..........................

My 1st use of a pole today - think Bernard has it spot on! I am in my middle 40ts but have a bit of
knee problems from playing football many years ago and also I prefer uphills to going down them and
found it helped. I went around the side of a hill today with uneven ground below me and it deffo
helped me.

pign9 <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Poles, should I buy some or are they a useless waste of money, whets there advantage and how much
should I spend, been looking at Some Leki's, Also do I need two or will just one do

I use one, occasionally. A pole in my left hand is an encumbrance AFAIAC, others differ. :-)

I was glad of it for the last couple of strolls around my local pimple, which had a covering of
packed snow and ice, as an aid against slipping, especially with both camera and decent binoculars
hung round my neck!
--
Gordon

"Bernard Hill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:> But spend the least you can. There
is no advantage in sprung poles

Quoted message said:

unless you are sprint-walking on the level.

I find the sprung pole (I only use one) saves stress on my wrist and thumb joints where arthritis
is making inroads. If I use a pole with no give, the joints take the shock and after an hour or so,
I'm hurting.

Do your poles not have a wrist strap. I usually find that most of my weight is taken by the strap
and the fingers and hand just hold the grip of the pole. Only real time I put any weight onto my
hands is if I'm reaching down and have the palms of my hands on top of the poles.

Mike Mason

"john goldfine" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Bernard Hill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:> But spend the least you can. There
is no advantage in sprung poles

Quoted message said:

unless you are sprint-walking on the level.

I find the sprung pole (I only use one) saves stress on my wrist and thumb joints where arthritis
is making inroads. If I use a pole with no give,

the

Quoted message said:

joints take the shock and after an hour or so, I'm hurting.

pign9 said:

Poles, should I buy some or are they a useless waste of money, whets there advantage and how much
should I spend, been looking at Some Leki's, Also do I need two or will just one do

Poles are definitely a good thing, especially as you get older ands your knees begin to feel the
strain. I only started using one a couple of summers ago and then, last year, started using two. Two
poles are superb and are especially useful when coming down hill. Indeed, I wouldn't like to think
what some of last year's walking would have been like without poles.

pign9 said:

Poles, should I buy some or are they a useless waste of money, whets there advantage and how much
should I spend, been looking at Some Leki's, Also do I need two or will just one do

Let me see. The three peaks and now poles. All you need are GPS and digital cameras to complete
the set. :-)

Have a look at Pete's Poles Page at dundee.ac.ukpoles.htmOpen ↗

Then if you still think tou need them buy a cheap pair to see if you get on with them.

I suggest the Approach BX1 at £21 a pair from here three-peaks.com47Open ↗

--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

pign9 said:

Poles, should I buy some or are they a useless waste of money,

For hill walking, yes you should buy some, they are not a waste of money.

Quoted message said:

whets there advantage

Going uphill - you set the poles to short length and you use your arms to help pull you up the hill.
Helps build up your arm muscles and takes the strain off leg muscles and knees, so your legs last
much longer into the walk before getting tired.

Going downhill - you set the poles to long length and place them in front of you, leaning forward as
you walk. This helps you walk faster with a more natural stride and reduces the knee jarring effect
as you take each step. In other words, you let the poles take your weight instead of your knees.
Many years of steep descents without poles can wreck your knees.

On the flat - not much use at all. Shorten them and stick them in your pack.

On rough or slippery ground - very good for maintaining balance and helping you to stop falling
over. Very handy if carrying a heavy rucksack, helps to prevent twisted ankles.

Other uses - checking the depth of bogs before walking through them, defending yourself against wild
dogs, sticking into the spokes of passing cyclists, doubles as a monopod with a camera (if you get
one with a screw off handle) and many more.

Quoted message said:

and how much should I spend,

Whatever they cost.

Quoted message said:

Also do I need two or will just one do

Two are way better than one, a lot more than twice as good. With two poles you can keep one on the
ground at all times for constant support, with one you only get intermittent support, and your
walking is not balanced. With two you can set up a very nice walking rhythm, once you get the hang
of it. Now that I've started using two I'd never go back to using only one, the difference is much
bigger than you'd think.

Paul
--
wilderness-wales.co.ukwilderness-wales.co.ukOpen ↗
wildwales.fsnet.co.ukwildwales.fsnet.co.ukOpen ↗
photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

"Bernard Hill" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, pign9 <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Poles, should I buy some or are they a useless waste of money, whets

there

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

advantage and how much should I spend, been looking at Some Leki's, Also do I need two or will
just one do

Thanks Mully

It depends <g>

1. How old are you?
2. How fit are you?
3. Do you suffer from Arthritis or any joint pains?
4. What sort of walking do you do?

I could not climb hills/mountains without them as I suffer badly on the descent, each step down
jarring my knees. I use the poles to lever myself down gently.

For me, one is nowhere near as good: I had to lend one on a downward run last year and I found
out then!

But spend the least you can. There is no advantage in sprung poles unless you are sprint-walking
on the level.

A couple of months ago I asked a similar question of this ng. Following the advice I made a couple
of poles for my companion and myself. We tried them out today and using one pole the up hills were
definitely easier. Using both poles the down hills were a doddle. My knees feel fine and a similar
walk without poles would have been almost impossible, 17 km walk today highest point 1917 metres
ascent 375 metres Richard

Quoted message said:

Bernard Hill Braeburn Software Author of Music Publisher system Music Software written by
musicians for musicians braeburn.co.ukbraeburn.co.ukOpen ↗ Selkirk, Scotland

In article <[email hidden]>, Mike Mason
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Do your poles not have a wrist strap. I usually find that most of my weight is taken by the strap
and the fingers and hand just hold the grip of the pole. Only real time I put any weight onto my
hands is if I'm reaching down and have the palms of my hands on top of the poles.

Exactly my experience too. But John did say wrists too and I imagine that could be a strain point.

Bernard Hill Selkirk, Scotland

Quoted message said:

Poles, should I buy some or are they a useless waste of money, whets there advantage and how much
should I spend, been looking at Some Leki's, Also do I need two or will just one do

Thanks Mully

Used to think they were for wimps, not for rufty tufty outdoor types like me. That was until I
actually tried them. Now I find coming down steep slopes no more taxing on my poor knackered old
knees than walking down the stairs at home. You can use your arms to spread the effort going uphill
with a heavy pack. They add stability when crossing uneven ground and are also invaluable for
testing boggy ground before commiting your weight to a soggy patch. They could have also been used
in a defensive capacity against what might have been a rabid, uncontrolable Tasmanian Devil
sheepdog, had it not kept snoring blissfully as I tiptoed trepidatiously by. To quote Mr M Python -
If there's one thing I couldn't manage without on the hills, its my trekking poles and Thermarest -
No that's two. OK if theres two things I couldn't manage without in the hills its my trekking poles,
Thermarest and compass. - No hold on that's 3, etc etc

Steve Jones

Steve Jones said:

To quote Mr M Python - If there's one thing I couldn't manage without on the hills, its my trekking
poles and Thermarest - No that's two.

Err three actually. :-)
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

That would be one very large sack to carry all that though.

Mike Mason

"Phil Cook" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

pign9 said:

Poles, should I buy some or are they a useless waste of money, whets

there

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

advantage and how much should I spend, been looking at Some Leki's, Also do I need two or will
just one do

Let me see. The three peaks and now poles. All you need are GPS and digital cameras to complete
the set. :-)

Have a look at Pete's Poles Page at dundee.ac.ukpoles.htmOpen ↗

Then if you still think tou need them buy a cheap pair to see if you get on with them.

I suggest the Approach BX1 at £21 a pair from here three-peaks.com47Open ↗

--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

On 28/2/04 9:09 pm, in article [email hidden], "Paul

Saunders said:

Other uses - checking the depth of bogs before walking through them, defending yourself against
wild dogs, sticking into the spokes of passing cyclists, doubles as a monopod with a camera (if
you get one with a screw off handle) and many more.

Not to be under-estimated these - on any count!

"Mike Mason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Do your poles not have a wrist strap.

Cane grip--the strap doesn't glue one's hand to the pole, as with a straight pole.

you can get poles that mount DIGITAL CAMERAS YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

you can get poles that mount DIGITAL CAMERAS YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is that legal?

--
Fran If you need my email address please ask.

Yes providing they are used by consenting adults.

Mike Mason

"Fran" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

you can get poles that mount DIGITAL CAMERAS YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is that legal?

--
Fran If you need my email address please ask.

In message <[email hidden]>, pign9
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Poles, should I buy some or are they a useless waste of
money

Chap has a lovely range of hiking/walking sticks, bought a
decent hiking stick (you know, the kind that comes up to
your armpit) made of Irish blackthorn with a stag-horn
handle for about 60UKP. Didn't like/want one of those things
they sell that looks like something the Ski-Pole
Manufacturers dreamt up at a sales brain-storming event.

Uses - well I've used it for a year and found it useful for
getting me over stiles, up and down hills, testing the depth
of streams, keeping between me and dogs, it possibly
improves my breathing, it gives a nice counter-point rhythm
to the walk, it makes me feel like Charlton Heston or any
other OT prophet as I walk into town after a walk, and it
will probably last longer than me

Downsides - tripping myself up, where to put it on in a
small car, train or bus-seat, remembering to take it with me
from the aforementioned car/train/bus, doesn't collapse so
cannot take it on planes (I presume).

Martin

--
Martin @ Strawberry Hill