[at-l] On Poles

[the_rev_mrf at kingcon.com (Martin Fors)]

My knees are paramount to me, Weary, perhaps not to you.  Also, please
remember the fact that my taxes paid for the trail just as much as yours.
I've never suggested ATV traffic or anything of the sort - I find that
statement to be unreasonable; I've read the posts on this subject over the
years, and furthermore, try not to be condescending.  In your experience, do
rubber tipped poles purchase well on wet logs or wet rocks?  As well as
carbide tipped poles?  rusty

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bob C. [mailto:ellen@clinic.net]
> Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2003 10:03 AM
> To: at-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Cc: Martin Fors
> Subject: Re[2]: [at-l] On Poles
>
>
> >"...I find hiking poles important, if not necessary to me, to
> prevent further
> >damage to my knees.  Sorry that that may be unacceptable to
> some.  Perhaps some
> >of you would rather I get off the trails and into my rocking chair, but I
> >refuse."
>
> Dear Rusty:
>
>  I'm trying desperately to resist further participation in this
> issue on the
>  list because it is clear to me that no one is listening as
> evidenced by your
>  most recent comment.
>
>  No one has yet argued that poles should not be used. I have
> bored the list too
> many times with a description of my hiking staff for any confusion on that
> matter. The benefits of poles can be easily achieved without any
> trail damage.
>
>  I have simply urged that poles be used in a way that minimizes
> damage. How does
>  the fact that humans for 80 years have impacted the Appalachian trail in
>  anyway, (or Jim, that some soils erode naturally without human
> interference)
>  argue that we should unnecessarily impose further damage.
>
>   If you are arguing that hiker knees are paramount then
> eventually the trail
>   should be paved for use by ATVs, thus eliminating all impacts
> on the human
>   body -- except, perhaps, obesity. My preferred solution is to
> equip hiking
>   poles with rubber tips. This would avoid damage, be cheaper and
> easier than
>   paving the trail -- and incidentally make poles work better.
>
>   Sharp tipped hiking poles evolved from the discovery by walkers that
>   sharp-tipped ski poles make it possible to go faster without
> damaging their
>   knees. Sooner or later someone besides me is bound to notice that well
>   designed rubber tips on hiking sticks work even better and the
> problem will be
>   solved.
>
>   Weary
>
>
>
>