I recently returned to backpacking after a LONG absence. I did a few hikes with the crew and borrowed a pole for a pretty steep, hard-pack talus descent, off-trail, one day. You know, the type of slope where the sand and gravel act like little marbles. The trekking pole really helped.
I have done tons of off trail stuff, and sort of viewed trekking poles as a "cane" or "crutch" for people with poor balance. I get that aids going uphill, but my thought was always "work-out harder". I also see people using the damn things on a level fire roads, D'oh.
So age has caught up with me, and the knees and quads aren't what they used to be on the descents. So I bought some poles. I went with the good stuff, because I liked the cork grips, ventilation, curbed top of grip and lightweight. And shock absorbing tips. I also wanted something that would also go 135cm (6'2"). I paid more than I care to admit, even on sale.
Anyway, I took them up on a 5 day trip over loose talus, steep snow slopes and pretty hellacious uphill grinds. For a multiday trip, I'll never go without the poles.
Leki Corklite DSS Antishock. Buy once, cry once.
Corklite DSS | Poles | Trekking | Product area | LEKI
I have done tons of off trail stuff, and sort of viewed trekking poles as a "cane" or "crutch" for people with poor balance. I get that aids going uphill, but my thought was always "work-out harder". I also see people using the damn things on a level fire roads, D'oh.
So age has caught up with me, and the knees and quads aren't what they used to be on the descents. So I bought some poles. I went with the good stuff, because I liked the cork grips, ventilation, curbed top of grip and lightweight. And shock absorbing tips. I also wanted something that would also go 135cm (6'2"). I paid more than I care to admit, even on sale.
Anyway, I took them up on a 5 day trip over loose talus, steep snow slopes and pretty hellacious uphill grinds. For a multiday trip, I'll never go without the poles.
Leki Corklite DSS Antishock. Buy once, cry once.
Corklite DSS | Poles | Trekking | Product area | LEKI
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