---two sticks were the answer for my knees last year!!!!!! Won't hike without them now. Didn't go with the cadillac Leki's, just two ski poles with the baskets cut off .......they were given to me by trail friend noodle and made it from Fontana Dam to Katahdin....a little shorter, but intact. enjoy Maine Rune S to K '96 ------- From: Michael Vazquez <vazquezm@ix.netcom.com>