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

[jbullar1 at twcny.rr.com (Jim Bullard)]

At 04:41 PM 11/14/2003 -0500, Bob C. wrote:
> >"...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.

Bad comparison. Poles (those with sharp points) may loosen the soil 
somewhat but they don't destroy the vegetation. What you are talking about 
is plowing and harrowing fields to strip the natural vegetation so that it 
can be replaced by a crop. Loosing the soil without destroying the 
vegetation is beneficial to plants. It easier for the plants to grow by 
aerating the soil.