Trekking Poles And Walking Sticks
Are walking sticks longer than trekking poles? What about hiking staffs and hiking sticks? Whatever you call them, and whatever their differences, they are supposed to help your knees more than anything. This they do very well, at least when you're going downhill.
What else are they good for? They help you keep your balance. You can use them as defense against wild animals as well. I use a walking stick to rest my head on from time to time, and I also use it as a monopod for steadying the camera.
Do You Need Trekking Poles?
What if you don't have knee problems, and you are hiking on level ground? Then maybe there is no point to using trekking poles. They can be just more things to carry.
Do they save energy? They take weight off your joints, but logic says you'll expend more energy by carrying them. I use a walking stick at times, when my knees insist, and it's fun to poke at things, but it's not a necessity. For what it's worth, Ray Jardine, the "father" of ultralight backpacking, doesn't recommend trekking poles.
If you decide to use them, consider the incredible Bozeman Mountain Works Stix Xls Trekking Poles. They're made of a high-strength carbon fiber and weigh 2.7 ounces each! That's is half the weight of the nearest competition.
Walking Sticks and Other Options
I often cut dead sticks and use them until I lose them. I always lose my walking stick - a good reason not to buy the expensive ones. If I do still have it at the end of the trail, I leave it for the next hiker. Hand-cut walking sticks are heavier than high-tech trekking poles, but you can just leave them behind when you get tired of them.
You can use bamboo to make good light hiking staffs. It's stronger than it looks, so use a piece that's only about 3/4" thick. I bought cheap decorative bamboo at Pier One Imports, and cut it to size. You can glue some soft scrap leather on for a comfortable handgrip.
Finally, ski poles work as trekking poles. It's best if you remove the baskets, especially if you're hiking in wooded areas where they may catch on something.
Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate of lightweight backpacking. His advice and stories can be found at http://www.TheUltralightBackpackingSite.com
Latest News
How to Tame a Cat With a Taste for the Outdoors Washington Post, United States - He has had a taste of the outdoors and wants to go out again. We regularly have to get chairs to reach him when he jumps onto curtain rods and bookcases, ... |
Outdoors Report: Steelheaders getting in some early punches Seattle Post Intelligencer - By GREG JOHNSTON The winter steelhead season is well under way, not spectacular so far but definitely early and spread throughout the traditional streams of ... |
Outdoors briefs Dallas Morning News, TX - By RAY SASSER Outdoors Writer rsasser@dallasnews.com With the 2009 Panhandle pheasant season looming Saturday, Texas Parks and Wildlife is asking hunters ... Outdoors notebook |
Want a holiday gift for an outdoors lover? Here are some ideas Dallas Morning News, TX - They cost about $1 a packet and should be available at any good outdoor store. • Miniature flashlights that function on lithium batteries are excellent ... |
Outdoors by Wayne Baughman Pittsfield Pike Press, IL - The tally is in for the first portion of the firearms deer season that was held Nov. 21,22, and 23. Statewide hunters took 71894 deer, which is a decline of ... |
![]() News & Observer | GI Janes get outdoors News & Observer, NC - Deanna Lampley, MWR business manager for outdoor recreation, told the group of 29 participants the day was designed to show that the outdoors is for ... |
![]() Evening Sun (subscription) | Gift giving – the outdoors versus the non-outdoors Evening Sun (subscription), NY - the “gifter” is pretty much left to their own devices when perusing the outdoor departments or sporting goods stores. The true challenge is to avoid giving ... |
Outdoors With Braz: A Few Tips On How To Keep Warm While Hunting thejournal-news.net, IL - Still a lot of good ideas coming in for the 2009 Montgomery County Outdoor Expo and more people continue to contact me. Keep your eyes on the paper; ... |
A handy guide to outdoors gifts Detroit Free Press, United States - It's that time of year again, when outdoors guys and gals have to figure out how to let family and friends know what we really want without appearing too ... |
Great Outdoors Almanac Green Bay Press Gazette, WI - A few anglers are starting to fish frozen portions of rivers and harbors, but it's still slushy, open water throughout much of Green Bay. ... |
Resources
-
Andinia.com - The Web, Outdoors - Search Engine and Portal
Search engine dedicated to nature lovers, the great Outdoors and adventurous spirits: survival, extreme sports, travels, ecology, mountaineering, photography, how-to articles, courses, real experiences, gear, tips, and more; published in English, Spanish

