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

[rcli4 at comcast.net (rcli4@xxxxxxxxxxx)]

>"...can you provide any scientific evidence on how Lekis type hiking poles
>cause environmental damage?"

Sure. Poles loosen the soil. Loosen soil erodes more rapidly than compacted
soil.

Please don't spread this science to Florida.  As a landscaper that works in the dirt every day I don't want these people to figure out that loosening the soil is bad for their plants and grass.  I guess you haven't noticed how vigorous the grass and weedy plants grow next to the trail.

Stealing peoples money Clyde
> >"...can you provide any scientific evidence on how Lekis type hiking poles
> >cause environmental damage?"
> 
> Sure. Poles loosen the soil. Loosen soil erodes more rapidly than compacted
> soil. For decades agricultural experimental stations measured this phenomenon
> and preached the results of these measurements to farmers -- especially to
> farmers planting in sloping fields.
> 
> As a result farmers concerned about the longevity of their soil take steps to
> lessen this erosion. They leave untilled places to catch the eroded soil and
> they use new "no till" techniques for planting.
> 
>   Logic tells me that if soil on hill sides loosened by tilling machines erodes,
>   soil on hillsides loosened by pointed hiking sticks erodes.
> 
>   The only real question is how severe this erosion is in the greater scheme of
> hiking activities. That's why I said only that "that poking holes in the  earth
> with every step is not a totally environmentally benign act..."
> 
> Some damage is obvious. I and others think the damage is significant. Others
> disagree. But I don't believe it is sensible to say it doesn't occur.
> 
> Humans seem just naturally reluctant to believe that the things they enjoy doing
> or which help them to achieve things they enjoy doing is harmful.
> 
> This also is obvious. It's why it took me years after I knew positively that
> tobacco kills before I stopped using tobacco. Some even persist in doing so.
> 
>  Weary
> 
> 
> 
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