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#284208 - 04/12/17 07:01 AM Re: Hiking Sticks: Are You well-staffed? [Re: hikermor]
quick_joey_small Offline
Addict

Registered: 01/13/09
Posts: 571
Loc: UK
found out the hard way that a rubber tip is useless on ice. you need the carbide.
though that means you have a stick not strong enough to bash creatures away. anyone got a solution?

since started hammock camping, ditched the tent. here's some ways to use sticks for when there are no trees:

https://youtu.be/oNFu2Gw6CSs

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#284209 - 04/12/17 12:17 PM Re: Hiking Sticks: Are You well-staffed? [Re: quick_joey_small]
bacpacjac Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 3601
Loc: Ontario, Canada
I started using a collapsible trekking pole when I was pregnant during an icy winter, but find I rarely use it when hiking. I usually grab a stick from the trail head, and that's usually more for protection that balance. We hike in coyote territory, and though I've never seen one and wouldn't expect to since I most often hike with noisy kiddos, I have been rushed by off-leash dogs a few times. (Once I thought that three off leash dogs were a pack of coyotes when they rushed me while I was sitting down for a brew at dawn. That was enough to spook me.) Even a friendly puppy can do damage to a little kid when they're excited and jump up. I'd never want to hurt someone's pet, but it is a safety concern.

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#284210 - 04/12/17 02:08 PM Re: Hiking Sticks: Are You well-staffed? [Re: bacpacjac]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
I would not hesitate to use my collapsible pole as a coyote whacker, if it came to that, but the improvised broom handle, etc. is certainly a bit more stout, and much cheaper to replace.

Today, when I discard something like a broom, i often salvage the handle. Traditional wood is being replaced with fiberglass and hollow steel rods - great raw material for the next hiking staff. Can't beat the cost/benefit ratio....
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#284216 - 04/12/17 05:39 PM Re: Hiking Sticks: Are You well-staffed? [Re: hikermor]
TeacherRO Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
I have several sets of poles - I mostly use the single staff style.

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#284217 - 04/12/17 05:41 PM Re: Hiking Sticks: Are You well-staffed? [Re: hikermor]
drahthaar Offline
Member

Registered: 12/05/06
Posts: 110
I have carried one of these for years: https://www.rei.com/product/471038/tracks-sherlock-walking-staff

A little heavier than carbon but it will bend before it will snap. I'm a big guy and I bent one years ago after I wedged it in some rocks on a steep descent. But it did not splinter and snap like (I am guessing) carbon would have.

Has a nice walnut knob on top which can be used, if needed, to whack belligerent cattle on the forehead.

Top knob also unscrews so you can use it as a camera monopod. Handy in general but a neat trick is to screw your point and shoot on there, set the auto-timer, and then hold it out over out-croppings and over streams - gives you a neat perspective on photos.

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#284222 - 04/13/17 02:27 AM Re: Hiking Sticks: Are You well-staffed? [Re: Russ]
Quietly_Learning Offline
Member

Registered: 05/29/12
Posts: 164
Originally Posted By: Russ
I've never really seen the utility in trekking poles, but when you mentioned carbon fiber as the primary material my antenna went up. CF means the poles would be light enough (10 ounces per pair) that they can be taken along on a walk even if not needed. REI currently has four different models of Black Diamond Trekking poles of which the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z-Pole Trekking Poles seem to match the description of yours. That said, what is the difference in durability and performance(?) of the types of grips? Is there an advantage of cork vs EVA foam grips? TIA.

I'm not a buyer yet, just thinking...


REI has good information about choosing different types of trekking poles:
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/trekking-poles-hiking-staffs.html

There are a number of personal variables to be able to make a recommendation but both Black Diamond and Leki make good quality poles.

I prefer aluminum because they're more likely to bend then snap. I've had a bent aluminum pole which was still useable.

Trekking poles are a great way to show your knees you love them. They also help you avoid falling on your face in tricky terrain.

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#284223 - 04/13/17 06:53 AM Re: Hiking Sticks: Are You well-staffed? [Re: Quietly_Learning]
Tjin Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 04/08/02
Posts: 1821
Originally Posted By: Quietly_Learning


Trekking poles are a great way to show your knees you love them.


That! I can walk up fill with no issues, but my knees do not like long decents. As a alpine climber, who hates weight, the weight off poles are worth it. Well atleast the lighter models...
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#284224 - 04/13/17 10:37 AM Re: Hiking Sticks: Are You well-staffed? [Re: hikermor]
voyaginator Offline
Stranger

Registered: 04/21/16
Posts: 8
I like my Foxelli trekking poles https://goo.gl/6kbKNm carbon fiber, very light and seems pretty strong.

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#284226 - 04/13/17 01:30 PM Re: Hiking Sticks: Are You well-staffed? [Re: Quietly_Learning]
Russ Offline
Geezer

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
Originally Posted By: Quietly_Learning
...Trekking poles are a great way to show your knees you love them. They also help you avoid falling on your face in tricky terrain.
I do leg presses and squats to tell my knees I need them strong. When I ran distance I had many more knee issues, but since I've returned to regular weight training, no issues with my knees at all.

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#284227 - 04/13/17 06:00 PM Re: Hiking Sticks: Are You well-staffed? [Re: Quietly_Learning]
hikermor Offline
Geezer in Chief
Geezer

Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
Originally Posted By: Quietly_Learning

REI has good information about choosing different types of trekking poles:
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/trekking-poles-hiking-staffs.html



Not only is that section good information, but a considerable portion of REI's website is committed to similar informative discussions about gear and its proper use.

I guess I am a satisfied customer because I have been a member for more than fifty years. I do patronize other outfits as well..
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