Trekking Poles - John Muir Trail

imported
#1

Will I need trekking poles? I’ve been doing a lot of hiking recently without them. They are handy when crossing steams and such but, will I use them enough to justify the weight? I’m hiking north->south beginning Aug 19.

Ed

#2

Poles are great for stability. There are a lot of rocky, uneven places on the trail. I would have fallen numerous times without poles. They are also good to push off with, it helps with the momentum. Finally, I noticed that when I was hiking with just a walking stick, my left hand would swell up. It is because it was hanging down. When I went to two poles, because my hands were up at chest level, I didn’t have the swelling problem. Hike your own hike, but I recommend the poles. Moon Man

Moon Man

#3

“need” seems to be the opperative word here, and no, you don’t. I found them handy for stream crossing and climbing steep snow-covered slopes, but you probably won’t have the same snow issues in August as I had last year in early July.

Lot’s of hikers like them, but that if you’re comfortable without them - leave them home.

Tumblina

#4

I will never hike without them again, have saved me several times! They save my knees, while steeping up, I use them to help push me up and on the descending areas I use to brace and it again keeps pressure off of my knees. To each his own but once you get used to them, you really feel almost naked without them. :girl

Lipstick

#5

Uhhh…thanks for the comments. I should have been more specific. Tumbilina, ur right… “Need” is the operative word.

I hiked the AT last year with poles. Lately, I haven’t been using them because I am in better shape and the trails in central PA are cake (rocks included). If the Muir trail is like the Whites in NH (straight up), I will gladly bring poles. However, if it’s graded for pack animals (what I’ve read), well…I think I’ll pass. I sure didn’t need the poles in the Smokeys and the Shenandoahs.

Ed

#6

well…i’ve posted before about poles, so i won’t go on and on again about my love for my “bamboo babies”, but you know one of the things i like about my poles?..the upward position of your arms keeps your hands from swelling and going numb!..(i also liked how the action firmed up my flabby ol’ granny arms!)…not to mention the wonderful “music” they make on bridges and such!

maw-ee