Trekking poles??

[Toby]

I had back surgery a while ago, and have a bad sciatic nerve, so it's going to be a rough go come September chasing elk. But, no way am I going to miss an elk season. I will turn 65 in September and there just aren't that many seasons left. So, I think I will need some help getting around. I have seen others use trekking poles, but have never used them myself. Any information about them would be greatly appreciated.

Toby

[Njdiverdan]

There is a very recent post on this in the Gear Forum
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=6104

That said, I use them and hate hiking with out them. Like having 4 wheel drive. Best advice I got was to get a cheap pair and try them out to see if you like hiking with them. Then buy a better pair. Some people just don't like to hike with them.

-dan

[NoWiser]

Heck, I'm 31 and wouldn't go without them! I don't use them while I'm hunting but for packing in and out they are the bee's knees. Give them a shot, I think you'll be amazed!

Good luck!

[steveo]

I am 65 also and swear by trekking poles. I will use two going in and after setting camp will usually take one strapped to my pack to hunt. Nothing is better than using them when it gets steep or slick or for creek crossings especially when hauling meat.

[CurlyTail]

If you are young, spry, agile, and on a trail - I see no need for trekking poles. If you are over 40, slower/stiffer, bushwacking off trail, on steep slopes or packing a moderate to heavy load - they are wonderful. I personally use them, and think they are great. My only problem is a tendency to walk off and leave them behind me - so don't get camo colored ones. I cant tell much difference between rubber tipped vs. metal spike tip - all about the same. For packing out an elk down steep terrain they are essential gear in my book. I cant see much difference between an economy and a premium trekking pole, so no need to spend a bunch on yours.

[elk.addict]

I like to 'Z' style poles the best. They fold up quicker and seem to be a little tougher. When I'm hunting, I just throw them in my pack and only use them when packing meat.

[Toby]

I am pretty sure I will need them all the time. This sciatic nerve really has me crippled up. I am normally in very good shape and get around with no problems, even for a senior citizen, but I am having trouble just climbing the hills behind my house. So, I will use them even while hunting, just have to scramble a little when I get into elk.

How about those with shock absorbers? Do they help?

[Brendan]

I used mine in 3 scenarios last year:

1 - Got caught with an unplanned descent of a steep and loose rock / scree field. Attached my bow to my pack, took out the trekking poles. Very happy I had them.

2 - I used a tarp based shelter for 3-4 nights, it uses the trekking poles to pitch it. Didn't have much choice using that shelter, but great to have multi-purpose gear.

3 - Packing out my bull. Very glad I had them for descending steep terrain with an extra 100lbs on my back.

I went with lightweight / collapsible Komperdell, total weight 15 oz for two poles:

http://www.komperdell.com/en/poles/trek ... 94_2409_10

Here you can see one of them collapsed in the side of my pack:



My only complaint - used them for a ski / trekking trip this winter, and one of the "collapse" mechanisms broke on one of them. Am currently sending that one back to komperdell for a warranty repair.

[Ridge Ghost]

I always carry a set of Z-Poles in my pack. I don't actively hunt with them because they can be noisy, but they are great for packing in and out, or for saving your butt if you find yourself needing to cross creeks, rockslides, wet deadfall, etc.

[pd]

Toby, I am an alpine climber as much as I am a hunter, and I never leave home without trekking poles. You will help yourself immensely if you follow these bits of advice.

1. Always use two poles! The reason becomes evident with later bits of advice, but it has to do with balance and safety. A single pole destroys the purpose of the system.

2. Learn to use the wrist straps! When climbing (going uphill), the straps are somewhat useful, but they come into their fore during descents. The wrist straps transfer the weight of your body onto the trekking poles, and this allows you to "pivot" downhill rather than simply step down to the next foothold. It is hard to explain, so imagine this. Say you have to take a very large step down to the next rock, perhaps 18" of vertical descent. Without poles you would have to really bend your knees, or sit on your butt to get down (you don't want to do either with a heavy pack). If you are using the wrist straps, place both poles down to the next level, and swing your body ("pivot") down to the step. No need to bend your knees so much. It takes a bit of practice, but I guarantee you will save a tremendous amount of energy, and reduce strain on your lower back and quads. By the way, simply "holding" the poles in your hands will do you no good--you must use the straps.

3. Remember to shorten your poles when climbing, extend them during descents. I am 6'0" tall, and ratchet the poles down to 105cm during climbs (depends on the slope), and ratchet up to 135cm during descents.

4. Plants the poles solidly when you walk. If you learn the proper gait, you will gain speed over walking on two legs alone.

In summary, using two trekking poles will allow you to climb & descend faster, safer, use less energy, reduce strain on your legs and backs, all of which leads to a more pleasant trip. What is to lose?

By the way, I always use the cheapest poles I can buy. Currently, I use shock poles from Costco, which cost about $30 for the pair. No need for the fancy poles. Why go cheap? Because alloy poles bend easily, and really only last me one season (I use them a lot). In my mind, they are disposable equipment.

[six]

I bought a cheap pair a couple years ago from Walmart. I had heard good things and wanted to give them a try before I spent the big bucks. After the first trip back to camp with a load of elk I grabbed the poles out of the tote. I'm not all about carrying around a lot of weight while I'm hunting so I thought I would just leave them at camp until they where needed. I got them all adjusted and locked in place after some finagling. The whole concept of twisting a piece of plastic that has no threads to lock them in place left me somewhat confused. The hike back to the kill site with them went great. I loaded up and started back up the mountain. When they were under load I could not keep the poles from growing shorter and shorter. No sure if it was just me or the cheap poles. I have since bought a pair of ski poles from Love Inc re sale shop. They work great. I am going to personalize them a little bit with a can of paint to get rid of the ocean blue color.

[Dakota86]

Yes they are worth the expense and 1lb weight. You get what you pay for, cheap Wal-Mart ones are not the way to go. I would recommend purchasing a good pair, meaning $100 +. Black Diamond is one of many brands and they have quite a few at that $100 price and weight of 16-20 oz. Lighter weight is more $. I would recommend the Z-poles. Meaning they pull apart in 3 sections and can form a Z. You can get Z-poles in adjustable length or fixed. If your worried about the weight, cut the end off your tooth brush to save a few oz's.
When you have a heavy pack on you can't beat them, you can use them for other uses like other people talked about. Not to mention if your spot and stalk hunting in snake country, you feel a little better with something to poke around in front of you while walking through taller grass.

[Ridge Ghost]

By the way, I always use the cheapest poles I can buy. Currently, I use shock poles from Costco, which cost about $30 for the pair. No need for the fancy poles. Why go cheap? Because alloy poles bend easily, and really only last me one season (I use them a lot). In my mind, they are disposable equipment.

Spend a little extra money and get a pair from REI. They will replace any pole you bend or break at no cost to you, which is cheaper in the long run than buying a $30 pair every year. I have returned a broken pole on two separate occasions, and they swapped both out for brand new ones.

[WapitiTalk1]

By the way, I always use the cheapest poles I can buy. Currently, I use shock poles from Costco, which cost about $30 for the pair. No need for the fancy poles. Why go cheap? Because alloy poles bend easily, and really only last me one season (I use them a lot). In my mind, they are disposable equipment.

Spend a little extra money and get a pair from REI. They will replace any pole you bend or break at no cost to you, which is cheaper in the long run than buying a $30 pair every year. I have returned a broken pole on two separate occasions, and they swapped both out for brand new ones.

Yep, you've gotta love REI's return policy!

[Toby]

Great information, thanks much.

[Charina]

Don't forget to stretch your hamstrings often. Any tightness in the hamstrings pulls on the lumbar region, and can really exacerbate nerve pinching issues. Everyone's body is different, but you just might find an amazing amount of relief from the issue if you stretch your hamstrings daily for a few weeks. If I don't stretch my hamstrings regularly, I start having lower back issues with pinched nerves. As long as I stretch daily, I never have issues despite what I may be doing.

[Toby]

Charina, that is good advice, I need to remind myself to do that more often.

[brun]

I agree with six. You can get a pair of ski poles from a rental shop for about 5 bucks. Take off the baskets, spray a little paint and they are as good as any trekking poles. Some telescope, some don't, but they are the same thing and just as strong as any trekking pole.

[Lefty]

Toby
Sorry to hear about the back. I stretched every morning for 20 years if there is some PT that would help ,.. get it done
Im sure you are like most guys, we learn how to take care of our selves after the damage.
My wife bought poles. Mostly because her brother is the trendy type and bought treking poles. Like most kids , then as a Scout master I often walked with a stick, mostly to knock mosquitoes out of the air
Last year on a Wyoming hike my wife "let me" try her trekking poles. I wont use them hunting but on any hike I will use them.
They sure help with stability. Last year a year after hip replacement I maybe doubled my time going downhill with the poles. they may take some time getting use too. Ive cross-country skied and used a Nordic-trak but think it would take a few hikes to become truly efficient with them.
PD had great suggestions

[Mukbowhunt]

I just bought a pair from the massdrop for Kelty twist locks. Couldn't beat the $35 price.

[Mukbowhunt]

That said might get a second pair from rei during their sale. Still have dividend money to use.

[welka]

Here's a different idea that I learned from a Big Dan post on a different website. Use an small pine tree that was hammered by an elk. Serves as a trekking pole and also can use for effective raking. Good luck.