Companion forum thread to:

Effectively Using Hiking Poles: The Gas-Brake-Coast Method

The author hardly scratched the surface on the multiple uses of trekking poles! Here are some more:

Splints
Hand crutches
Digging catholes (literally scratching the surface, hee hee!)
Flipping branches/rocks off the trail
Clearing drainage ditches along the trail
Propping up your backpack to make a chair
Fishing pole
Used around home, turns exercise walking into a whole-body exercise that works on the core muscles (rubber tips on the points are a good idea on pavement)
Prop up sagging clothesline

I'm sure there are lots more!

The information provided in this article is ideal for users of poles. Whilst Pacer Poles are different in some ways they are essentially the same. The following link provides some excellent discussions on the biomechanics of walking poles, much of which is relevant to this article. Pacer Poles

Another us of poles is to pick up things you've dropped when you don't feel like bending over. For a while I was pretty good at using poles to pick up Nalgeens, dropped hats and whatever else could be hooked with a pole or pinched between two.

I don't know about using them to move poison ivy though. Seems to me you might get it on yourself at some point. If I suspect the ends of my poles have touched poison ivy I don't touch the bottom half until I can rinse them off in a creek.

"You are making a joint by using the strap as a strong, tireless ligament. If you grip tightly, your hands and wrists will needlessly work and stress."

This is how I use trekking poles, to be able to load my arms and take stress off of my legs, while NOT gripping tightly and wearing out my hands/forearms. Let the straps and your triceps take the load, not the little forearm muscles and tendons.

I've never understood how people can get much benefit from no-strap poles. If you load such poles with any signficant weight (which is the main point of using them in the first place), your hand has to apply lots of force to maintain the connection. That's a high price in energy and fatigue in order to save, what, 1 ounce per strap, perhaps less?

Edited by El_Canyon on 10/12/2011 11:26:10 MDT.

When I hike downhill, I usually take my hands out of the straps and turn the poles backwards. I wrap my hands around the straps and the palm of my hand rests on top of the pole. This does several things:

It usually keeps me from having to lengthen the poles on the downhill.

By holding the strap, I can just move my wrist slightly as I'm lifting the pole and tip of pole lands right where I want to place it next. So my arms aren't working to lift and place the poles.

Palming the top of the pole really offloads my knees a lot more on the downhill.

Holding the straps really gives my hands and forearms a break. My wrists can maintain a more neutral position for awhile, my skin gets a break, and the sweat can evaporate. I often do this even when I'm not walking downhill. And when it's hot, I'll dunk my pole handles and straps in a cool stream to remove the grit and cool my wrists and hands, until the straps dry out.
Maxine

Skip does a great job of explaining the basics of trekking pole use, especially valuable for those new to using poles in the backcountry. The main point of his article—that technique is important —is right on. I observe few with good poling technique. I have found the Nordic Walking community a great source of information on poling techniques.

At the top of the article, Skip mentions four purposes (“promises”) for using good pole technique. In my own website article on this same subject (http://highcountryexplorations.com/Poling_Effectiveness.html), I have identified seven different purposes: BALANCE and STABILITY; POWER; SPEED; ENDURANCE; HEALTH and EXERCISE; RELIEVE STRESS and REDUCE INJURIES; ENJOYMENT and FUN. The point being that technique is closely related to purpose—different purpose means modifying basic techniques.

An overriding purpose for using poles is fun and enjoyment. I derive much enjoyment by learning and applying good form and technique. The most fitting analogy here is that of skilled cross-country skiers or speed skaters on the ice. When they have mastered their respective forms, they are examples of power and beauty and grace. Not only fun to watch, but fun to experience first hand. While my analogy is a stretch applied to hiking with poles, good poling technique can add much to the enjoyment of being in the backcountry.

If I'm on an obstacle-free trail, I will usually just carry the poles by holding them towards the middle so that they balance in my hands. I can hike much faster if I don't touch the poles to the ground, so when I don't need them I don't use them.

I also use the palm on top method that Maxine mentioned when I'm going down a steep hill.

Edited by Moondust on 10/12/2011 20:12:18 MDT.

I use them very much like using poles with cross-country skis. You're pushing with your legs and arms at the same time. But I do find it clumsy to take off the straps when switching between carrying and using them. I really depend on them for the downhill. I'd rather trade off some upper-body energy to save my knees.

When going fast downhill, I use them to hop over rocks or obstacles. Plant the poles on either side of the obstacle and use momentum to lift yourself over. Use the same technique to "jump" from a taller object to a lower surface. It's fun and saves my knees.

The article is okay,as far as it goes. However, Pacer Poles are far better than Lekis or any of the other usual brands (all of which basically adapt cross-country ski poles to hiker use). Pacers offer a distinct, hiker-centered design. I am 70, and my Pacers are a crucial part of my gear for continuing to backpack seriously at this age. One other commenter offers a link to the Pacer website.