Trekking Pole Technique

imported
#1

I used trekking poles last year for the first time and I will never go without them again. They kept me from falling dozens of times and helped my arms to do some of the work. However, I would like to know if there is a technique for using them correctly. I just put both poles ahead of me at the same time and walk forward, putting them forward again when I need to. I do not ski, so this is the first time I have had poles in my hands. Is there a technique for using trekking poles, or is it just do what feels good.

davepaumen

#2

Not really a technique. Have them adjusted so your forearm is bent at about a 90* angle for most ground. Push off a little with each step? On the up hills plant and push on the same side you push with your leg so you have 4 wheel drive power. On the downs put them out in front and on talloer stuff to steady adn slow your descent. If you roll an ankle plant both and support your weight on them. Aim for the eyes when that rabbid dog tries to bite you. I don’t use the straps and I screw a wooden camera mount ball to each one so on the down hills it palms better. The balls are from Trax sticks screwed to the top with a 1/4-20 x 1 1/2" stud, very comfy. Don’t bother leaning them on a tree since they will fall over anyway, just drop them on the ground. Must be a sniglet for that. Need a pic of the ball mod?, mail me:nerd

Bushwhack

#3

When the going gets steep then shorten your poles when going uphill and lengthen them when going downhill. The only time I put both out in front of me at the same time is when stepping down from a high step or when the trail is really steep going uphill. At all other times I just alternate the swinging motion to help keep my balance. If you use your straps then put your hands through them from the underside. That way you really don’t even need to use your hands when putting weight on the poles.

Nooga

#4

I hiked most of the trail without using the straps. However, I learned the recommend technique which used the straps and it increased the amount of push I got with each step. I use the pole opposite my foot when going up hill so if I step with the left foot I push with the right hand pole. Down hill I usually place both poles in front of me to slow my decent.

Darth Pacman

#5

Don’t bother leaning them on a tree since they will fall
over anyway, just drop them on the ground.

Hook the strap of one pole over the top of the other pole. Cross the poles to form an X and then lean them against a tree. It takes just an instant, and they remain standing!

Eric

#6

Weigh to much, I took them off. hey, that’s another 1/millionth oz I don’t have to carry. I think Crash of Crash and Burn used her face to slow her decent.

Bushwhack

#7

I used poles for the first time on my thru-hike last year. As far as technique, I alternated side to side with a pole opposite the landing foot hitting the ground with the foot. That was mainly on somewhat even ground. Uphill I use them behind me to push off in the same alternating pattern. Downhill they were slightly in front of me and the pole went down with the same foot. That helped my knees and slowed the descents. But you will learn to alternate how you use them to do things such as nurse a sore knee back. I soothed a knee problem last year on many occasions by timing the pole with the problem leg. Now as far as the straps, I will warn you that last year I started by putting my wrists up through the straps and pushing down on them as described above. But when going across Clingmans Dome in ice and snow I dislocated a shoulder. I was unable to let go of the pole as I fell and it pushed my arm back. I never used a strap after that. I learned to place my thumb slightly over each pole to keep it from coming back into my face. It also gave be the same push off I got while using the straps. As far as adjustment, Bushwack is on track about it. Your elbow should be at a 90 with your forearm parallel with the ground. Adjusting them on level ground will work for you on most terrain you encounter. After I got mine adjusted where I wanted them I never changed them. As far as squeaking or them falling out of adjustment, screw them apart and clean that black buildup you will get. My Leki Super Makalu poles lasted me the entire trip last year without incident. I even bent a lower shaft in mud at nearly a right angle and in anger stomped it straight again. I wouldn’t take anything for these things even though they caused my dislocated shoulder. Actually it wasn’t their fault. I was just a stupid hiker on ice.

Two Scoops

#8

The repair gys at trail days last year said i was “doing it wrong” when they saw I had the straps off mine. Um, ever took a header off a cliff with a pack on? Pole are NOT what you need hanging off your wrists unless you like kindling for fore arms. They’re in my hands when I’m rolling an ankle and chucked when I crash. Super Dave, you just learn as you go. Soon they become an extenion of your arm and you use them second hand.

Bushwhacky

#9

Bring your poles (any brand) to Trail Days, the “Service” area at the campground.
Free cleaning/repairs …
and technique clinics.
Yes, we recommend using the straps…correctly.
Come up from below the strap, open your hand and come straight down with the handle and top of the strap between your thumb and first finger…like XC ski poles.
Open your hands, the poles dangle.
Reaching forward? Lean on the strap only/
“Spider walk” the poles in front for downhills.
For uphills, as you step up, plant the tip at or behind your heal and push down/back. It really lifts you up!
See ya’ll at Trail Days

Leki Guy

#10

I have heard that gripping poles “improperly” (not using wriststraps) can cause ailments such as carpal tunnel and other fatigue problems. In theory, you should be able to not grip the poles with your fingers but just allow your fingers to guide the poles to swing in the desired direction. The wriststrap should be carrying all the weight. Works well for me. Another note: most poles have an emergency release on the strap that is adjustable. Set it so that if you do fall, you don’t break a pole - or a wrist.

Presto

#11

I will tell you about the technique that I had. It worked pretty good. Going up hill I would like to jamb the poles into my own feet or ankels. Sometimes I would not get a good dig and they would slip out and hit the hiker behind me in the eye.
Downhill, I would put them out in front of me so that as I moved forward I could lodge the handles into my groin for better stopping. Another of my favorites is the “stick it in a hole” approach. This allows you to stretch your arms,as your body is going downhill but the pole has stopped in a hole 5 yards behind you!

virginian

#12

Be careful when rubbing your eye or scratching your face or, uh, things like that while holding a pole. It is very easy for the bottom of the pole to strike a rock or a branch and then the top of the pole does BAD THINGS.

Eric

#13

hahah:lol I thought I was the only one that got a black eye from doing that. Was going down to Daleville and scratch and eye and the tip hit a rock, shove the camera ball mount right into the ol socket like I got sucker punched. Funny as hell after it stopped hurting and I could see again. “Honey?!, my stick beat me up again”.

Bushwhack

#14

I’m an AT wannabe - last week I was hiking on the Superior Hiking Trail and used only one pole. I was quite happy with that, it kept me balanced over some of the goopy areas and I think helped my knees some - are two poles that much better??

jeanne