| "Why would you need to carry along two poles | | | | emergency help to get you off the trail. |
| on a hike. It seems like they would only get | | | | Ankle sprains and fractures as well as knee |
| in the way. How silly!" I said. | | | | strains are some of the most common injuries |
| | | | related to hiking and backpacking. More ankle |
| Over time, I began seeing more and more | | | | and knee injuries occur during backpacking |
| hikers and backpackers carrying those useless | | | | due to the extra displaced weight being |
| poles. On rocky hikes, I could hear them | | | | carried. Trekking poles, when used properly, |
| coming down the trail before I could even see | | | | can almost completely alleviate the menace of |
| them. Well, that was one piece of gear that I | | | | ankle and knee injuries. With a pole planted |
| was sure I would never purchase.That same | | | | firmly on the ground, if you do happen to |
| winter, I was getting ready for a snowshoeing | | | | slip or roll on a rock, you can shift the |
| trip and I purchased 2 sets of telescoping | | | | support of your weight to your arms to |
| poles made by MSR for my wife and I. I used | | | | prevent a potentially dangerous injury.Now |
| them a few times for snowshoeing that winter | | | | that we've discussed the major reasons to use |
| and then put them away. When spring came, my | | | | trekking poles, let's talk about some of the |
| wife and I geared up for the first hike of | | | | little bonuses that you can also enjoy. Have |
| the season. I had just purchased some ankle | | | | you ever crossed a creek, balancing on rocks |
| gaiters to keep the dust and debris out of my | | | | or a log as you go? How easy is it to loose |
| shoes and I was excited to test them out. As | | | | your balance and slip in? With trekking |
| I was digging through the rest of my gear I | | | | poles, you are sure to keep your balance the |
| saw the poles and thought, "why not just take | | | | whole way. Have you ever had some sort of |
| them along and see what all the fuss is | | | | varmint come after you? Trekking Poles can |
| about." So I tossed them into the back of the | | | | become your first line of defense against |
| car and off we went. At the trailhead, I | | | | these critters. I personally haven't |
| handed my wife a pair of poles which she | | | | experienced this bonus, but I feel a little |
| blatantly refused. Off we went. I must admit | | | | more secure having something in my hand to |
| that I felt a little funny hiking along a the | | | | swat at an unwanted guest rather than just my |
| flat part of the trail swinging those poles | | | | hand. Now, I'm sure that with a little more |
| along. They weren't helping me at all. Things | | | | thought, we could come up with a larger list |
| changed when we hit a sudden slope. The kind | | | | of additional uses for trekking poles. But |
| that make your legs swell with blood and burn | | | | we'll pretty much end with one last area of |
| by the time you reach the top. Now, I am in | | | | use. In the last few years, there have been |
| better shape than my wife, but I made it to | | | | many advancements in hiking and backpacking |
| the top without even slowing down. She had to | | | | products to make them lighter, thus allowing |
| stop for a breather before reaching the top. | | | | hikers and backpackers to lighten their |
| Somewhat convinced of their effectiveness, | | | | overall load. A lighter load means less aches |
| she took the poles from me on the next hill | | | | and pains when all is said and done. A |
| to give them a try. I didn't get the poles | | | | lighter load on your back can allow you to |
| back after that. Needless to say, after just | | | | wear lighter shoes that do not have as much |
| one hike with trekking poles, we were sold on | | | | ankle support. I personally wear some low top |
| trekking poles. I later bought some Lekisport | | | | nikes that weigh ounces instead of pounds. |
| Absorbers that have a nice cork grip and a | | | | The use of trekking poles pretty much assures |
| built in shock absorber that both dampens the | | | | me that I won't sprain an ankle. Wearing |
| blow of planting the pole and quiets some of | | | | lightweight shoes to hike in is like taking |
| the noise that most trekking poles make.So, | | | | five or more pounds off your back. Here |
| let's look at all of the benefits of hiking | | | | again, you will be able to hike farther with |
| with trekking poles. First of all, as I | | | | less stress on your body. There are also |
| mentioned earlier, you can hike up hills much | | | | several companies that make tents to utilize |
| easier. They help you do this by allowing you | | | | your trekking poles as tent poles. As a |
| to use your arms as another set of legs to | | | | result, instead of carrying a 5-10lb tent, |
| thrust you up the hill. Your posture also | | | | you can carry a sil-nylon tent that only |
| benefits from trekking poles as you are more | | | | weights a few ounces and your trekking poles |
| inclined to hike standing up straighter | | | | double as your tent poles. This lightens load |
| rather than bending forward. This ability to | | | | significantly.Are you convinced now? If not, |
| use your arms to hike being able stand more | | | | just go to this hiking and backpacking forum |
| upright puts less stress on the legs and, | | | | on and type in trekking poles. You'll find |
| more notably, the knees each time you hike | | | | countless testimonies from experienced hikers |
| uphill leaving your legs with more energy to | | | | and backpackers on how much they love their |
| hike greater distances without feeling | | | | trekking poles. So do your legs and ankles a |
| fatigued. While this may seem like the single | | | | favor and get some trekking poles for your |
| greatest advantage from using trekking poles, | | | | next hike or backpacking trip. If you are |
| the next benefit can be a real life | | | | still unsure or just don't want to invest a |
| saver.Have you ever been hiking along and | | | | lot of money in some yet, visit a local |
| stepped on a rock, only to have the rock move | | | | thrift store. Many thrift stores like |
| causing you to sprain your ankle? Spraining | | | | salvation army or goodwill carry old ski |
| your ankle is like getting a flat tire on | | | | poles that you can buy for just a few bucks |
| your car and not having a spare. You can't | | | | and use them for a test run. Your knees and |
| just "shake it off" and keep going. If the | | | | ankles really will thank you. |
| injury is bad enough, you may require | | | | |