How trekking poles can enhance your trekking experience?

Trekking poles are an important accessory and I didn’t mention it in my earlier post as it deserves a post all to itself. Trekking poles are an absolute must on a trek and don’t let people tell you otherwise.

Can you make do with a locally available stick or a tree branch? 

You may think that a trekking pole is an expensive investment and a stout disposable stick would do just as well.  A makeshift walking stick is generally bought from a local store or is picked up from the trail. They are free and can be discarded once the trek is done. They are effective and provide balance if the trail is flat and even, but can cause you to lean to one side or put stress on one side on of the body. Also unlike a trekking pole, there are no features that allow you to retain a firm grip on the stick. Also walking sticks cannot be adjusted to suit your height and may be heavy and cumbersome to carry when you don’t use them. 

What are the advantages of trekking poles?

1. Trekking poles are designed to be used in pairs, and are adjustable in terms of height 
2. Trekking poles come with wrist straps that provide additional support to the hands when they grip the poles, but use them with caution, as these can also prove to be a nuisance if one has a fall or slips on rough terrain. It is difficult to untangle your hands from the wrist straps and this can cause a sprain or even a fracture.
3. Trekking poles help with stability and balance and act as extra legs during a trek
4. Trekking poles reduce the strain on your muscles and knees especially when you are manoeuvring tricky terrain and steep prolonged descent
5. Trekking poles are immensely useful while walking on slippery ground and help you retain a better grip on surfaces
6. Trekking poles are most handy when you are descending on a trail and help your body to better manoeuvre the steep incline and uneven paths
7. Trekking poles are very useful when you doing a river crossing or are negotiating fast flowing streams.
8. Trekking poles can be made from a variety of materials, and are lightweight
9. Trekking poles can help increase cardiovascular activity and upper body movement and make you feel less fatigued when you are done with your trekking.
10. Trekking poles can be used to prop up tents and has features with built in LED lights and cameras that can be mounted on the pole.

But they can be expensive ( especially if you are looking for a lightweight model with additional features) and may be difficult to fit into a duffel or a trek bag. You may need to seek special permission from airlines if you include them in your cabin luggage. It may also take a little time to get used to trekking poles  and be comfortable with them on a trek.

Do you need one or two poles?

This is an eternal question that most trekkers have. While some prefer to use just one pole and have a free hand available to grip boulders, rocks on the side for a better balance when walking, most experts recommend the use of two poles. Some trekkers feel that two poles can hamper free movement and can cause difficulty in manoeuvring narrow or difficult paths or when clambering on rocks. Even simple activities like drinking water or taking a photo of the fabulous scenery  with your phone or camera, will require you to rest your poles against a rock face or hand it over to a fellow trekker. At these times an extra pole may feel like an impediment. But these minor inconveniences need to be overlooked as two poles ensure that much of the load and strain is taken off your hips and legs and distributed to your shoulders and muscles of your upper body. 

A single pole can cause imbalance and put strain on the hand and side of the body which is gripping the pole. It is particularly important that people carrying a heavy load on their back, like a trekking bag should use two poles for support and stability. 

What are the parts of a trekking pole?

Grip

First comes the grip which is most important. It’s made of cork or foam which vary in weight and durability. However it depends on individual preference and must feel comfortable when held. Cork grips tend to be better and keep your palms sweat free but are expensive. 

Straps 

Straps ensure that your hands and wrists remain in the correct position . They transfer the load to your forearms from your wrists and make your arms less tired.  But as mentioned earlier use with caution and don’t tangle up your palms and wrists.

Shaft of the pole

The shaft can be conventional or the flexible type which  is made of aluminium or carbon fibre. In India, aluminium poles are mostly available and are quite durable and strong. The flexible pole consists of telescoping poles that can be extended according to the height of the trekker and can be locked in position using either a clamp lock or a twist lock. The clamp lock is more reliable compared to the twist lock as it locks each pole section in place and does not allow slippage and shortening of poles during use. 

Ends/Tips 

The tips of the poles finish in a blunt point which is made of a hard metal/composite material that can withstand shock and is durable over a sustained period of time. Poles also typically come with baskets which are of various types, -which can be used on powder snow or compressed snow/ mud. These can be used or removed depending on the type of activity. 

So, key things to keep in mind before you buy a trekking pole are price, weight, material, durability, adjustable lengths, and ability to fit into a trek or duffelbag, number of trekking poles, choice of additional features such as baskets, fixtures with LED  lights and camera mounts. I am also told that they have trekking poles specifically designed for women, but haven’t seen or used them as yet.

Hope you enjoyed reading this week’s post and it helps you make the right choice with regard to trekking poles. Watch out for next week’s post on trek/ duffel bags and day packs. And as always, comment on the blog and share with friends .