[at-l] hiking poles' efficiency...

[ellen at clinic.net (Bob C.)]

>"...This is actually true.  I was rather surprised myself, to be honest, but
>two or three Backpacking magazines ago they published the test results."

I don't know about the 20 percent, but the fact that poles burn extra calories,
makes sense. With poles, you essentially are juggling 1.25 +/- pounds
constantly, lifting them up, moving them sideways -- and for the sharp-pointed
variety, jabbing them into the earth and pulling them out again. That's a lot of
energy expended (calories) over an 8-12 hour hiking day.

While we are on the subject, let me remind again that poking holes in the earth
with every step is not a totally environmentally benign act, which is why I use
the broadest rubber crutch tip I can find for my alder hiking pole.

Weary



Bob