what do we know about trekking poles?

[vash]

i have a huge hike coming up. going after native trout, and if i can get a deer to stand still nearby..

needlesstosay, my pack is gonna be a heifer. i think we have 27 miles UP into the Sierras. i might pony up the money and rent a mule and lead it up with me, but that introduces a whole other level of commitment i may not want to deal with.

do trekking poles help while backpacking with considerable loads?

[Zeke]

They help your knees and I think you will want that. I don't hike, but I understand titanium is the way to go on the$e.

[craigster59]

They work well for fording creeks and walking on uneven terrain. I cross country ski so they don't seem odd when hiking YMMV. Leki is a good brand.

[aigel]

They help your balance a lot. I'd get them on heavy backpack trip. Whenever I get lucky and have to pack out a pile of meat, I take the time to cut me a single walking stick. It makes a big difference especially if you have to maneuver streams etc. where you may have to jump from rock to rock.

G

[Head416]

They help a lot.

[Tim Hancock]

Why not just use an ATV or dirt bike to drive/ride up to the stream..... catch some fish.... be home that night to cook em up?

[recycled sixtie]

Walking poles can also help prevent sliding into creeks and ravines. Even one is better than none but u may like two. Dont forget to take cell/satellite ph. and gps for navigation. Do I sound like your Mother? Watch for snow/ice in higher levels!

[craigster59]

Going to GTW?

[porsche4life]

I keep a pair easily accessible on my pack, and pull them off for uneven ground and water. I carried a cheap pair of swiss gear poles for 10 days and they are still perfectly functional...

[ODDJOB UNO]

there good for POKING BEARS! well once at least.........................

[vash]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Going to GTW?

hahahha...had to think about it, but YES i am! i know the man at the pack station there, but he can be a pain to deal with.

[craigster59]

Lots of good info on the forum here. Kern River Fly Fishing Forum - Index

Guy Jeans owns the flyshop in Kernville and guides trips into the GTW. He's the Admin on the forum "flyguy". If you join and do some searching you can get some good info. You can ask also but some on there get a little weird giving out info to newbies and strangers. Worried about bait fishers who don't practice catch and release.

[craigster59]

Here's some info on his pack trips..
Golden Trout Wilderness Fly Fishing Pack Trips

[vash]

i ran across that guide before. he was very pleasant.

[matthew-s]

All the above is true, but where I really value them is descending a hill. They really help arrest all of that extra weight on your back. You'll just need to extend them a bit for this part of the hike.

Totally worth their weight.

[RWebb]

they are for old people

[Superman]

Originally Posted by vash

do trekking poles help while backpacking with considerable loads?

Absolutely, positively, YES THEY DO! Once you've used them, you will consider them mandatory equipment, regardless of load weight.

[Evans, Marv]

Everything beneficial that's been said is true. I used to look at people with trekking poles & wonder why they used them & what the benefit was that justified the extra gear. Then I came upon a pair someone had left behind at a remote trailhead. I tried them out & then wondered why I hadn't gotten a pair before. I also use them to help as I'm going uphill. I figure they help with circulation in your arms & shoulders (that sort of goes by the wayside during a long day) and exercise your arms at the same time, since they would otherwise just dangle pretty motionless. I've carried a pack on long days that were pretty cold at the end of the day, and not realizing my arms were cold with the circulation cut off and had to shrug my way out of the straps to get the pack off. With springs or without doesn't matter as far as I'm concerned.

[Tishabet]

I have backpacked thousands of miles, and resisted trekking poles until 2009. Now I am a convert... They are especially useful on descents. I would highly recommend them.

Mine are black diamond, got the pair at REI for about $70.