[at-l] Hiking poles - On Topic

[TrailR at aol.com (TrailR@aol.com)]

In a message dated 9/22/2004 8:38:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time,  
jmmiele@optonline.net writes:

I have  yet another question for y'all who have your PhD's in the AT.

Hiking  poles - love 'em?  Hate 'em? Why?  Do they get in the way or do they  
assist in the journey?  I' figure that I'll hear a little of each, but  I'd 
like to hear what people think.
**
Never used them before my AT hike last year. I'll never hike without them  
again.
Well, unless I'm hiking with my wife, then she gets to use them & I do  
without
(She won't hike without them either).
 
Most of the people that started hiking the AT last year without poles,  
bought poles.
They saved my knees, and my life on occasion. I wouldn't have finished my  
hike 
without them.


If  I'm going to be trying out poles for the first time should I begin with 
some  cheap-o poles until I figure out if I like them or not and then switch to 
 better ones?  Should I get decent ones that have been used (from Ebay or  
whatever) rather than cheap new ones from Target or  K-Mart?

*
No, at many gear shops, you can rent good poles & try them out.
I used the Leki - Super Makalu COR Tec PA's. A 3 section pole, with springs  
in 
them to soften the jolt to your hands. They had a man made cork grip, and a 
Positive attitude (the grips were tilted forward). I really liked these  
poles. 


What  are the important things to look for when selecting poles, and what is 
the  proper height that I should adjust them to (I'm 5'9").
**
I believe they should be adjusted so your arms are at a right angle at the  
elbow, when 
you are standing there holding the poles. If you rent poles, have the  
outfitter show you 
how to adjust them.



I know I've asked a lot of questions, but you folks have been  so helpful in 
the past with my questions about boots and foot pain that I  thought I'd throw 
this one at you too.  FWIW, most of the thruhikers I've  run into have been 
using two poles.

Peace,
Joe


**Enjoy,
 
Russ
hotdog AT 03