best child backpack hiking image
Catharine
I am hiking again after a 30 year hiatus and I have a set of hiking poles I want to use well when I mountain climb. Any suggestions for getting up to speed? Also, suggestions about when and when not to use them? I want to save my knees. Also I'd appreciate suggestions about good web sites to visit or training programs. Thanks!
Answer
http://www.backpacking.net/walkstik.html
Why Carry a Walking Stick ?
IT WILL HELP YOU KEEP YOUR BALANCE
* Crossing Creeks, Streams, Rivers
* Traversing Hillsides
* Crossing Shale, Scree
* Carrying Heavy Loads
* Resting En Route
IT WILL HELP YOU MANEUVER
* Crossing Downed Trees Over Trails
* To Break or Prevent a Fall
IT WILL REDUCE STRESS ON BACK, KNEES, LEGS, & FEET
* Provides Extra Power & Balance, Going Uphill
* Reduces Shock on Knees, Going Downhill
* Takes Pressure off Back & Hips (mainly uphill)
They forgot beating off bears, wolves and small children.
Two Poles or One ?
Should you use two ski-type poles, one ski-type pole, one staff, or ?. It boils down to what is your preference. Or more specifically, what feels right on the trail. Theoretically, I felt that two poles was the best thing to do. It didn't work for me, at first--it just didn't feel right. I couldn't get balanced--couldn't get a good rhythm. I didn't have problems on snow with two snow poles, but I couldn't seem to get the same rhythm on the trail. So, for a long time, I used only one aluminum pole, or one wooden staff, when (non-snow) trekking or hiking. Currently, though, I've gotten more comfortable with two aluminum hiking poles. I've found it helps my bad back, considerably.
Experiment doing both. Do what's comfortable. I can't help wondering though, if, over a long period, the stress put on one side of your body by using only one pole, could lead to back problems. Whereas, with two poles you're putting equal stress on both sides of the body. - ?
http://www.slackpacker.com/trekking-poles.html
II. The "Pro" Side: Advantages of Trekking Poles
Most obviously, poles reduce the impact of hiking on knee joints and leg muscles. Arm and shoulder muscles support and relieve the leg muscles. With the basic "hands above the heart" position necessitated by the poles, circulation is improved and heart rate is reduced. The "rhythm" created by walking with poles leads to relaxed, more regular breathing and increased stamina.
A landmark study published by Dr. G. Neureuther in 1981 proved that use of "ski poles" while walking reduces the pressure strain on the opposite leg by approximately 20%. Furthermore, while walking on level ground, poles reduce the body weight carried by the legs by approximately 5 kg every step. Move to an incline, and that reduction increases to 8 kg. This translates into tons of weight -- yes, tons -- for even a two hour hike.
Jacquie Hunt, editor of a popular hiking newsletter, weighs in with additional health benefits: "An advantage that I found once I started using poles is that my hands no longer swell up when it is hot. Keeping your arms moving so the blood doesn't pool in the hands is a lot safer than keeping hands high on pack straps and risking a smashed face if you trip."
Finally, poles help many people with balance issues. We all have different comfort levels when balancing along puncheons, crossing streams, etc.; for some hikers, trekking poles are worth their weight in gold. They can certainly aid when crossing soft ground, and can be indispensible for tasks like river crossings, and scree running.
III. The "Con" Side: Problems with Trekking Poles
There are two categories of drawbacks to hiking poles -- those legitimate, and those perceived. One of the main problems with my comments in the LA Times article is that my "over the top" approach precluded me from stating the legitimate drawbacks to using poles. So here goes...
First, using poles increases your total energy expenditure. Your arms were not designed to prop up your body, nor to distribute weight. Even Peter Clinch, whose "Pete's Pole Page" is long recognized as an on-line authority, says, "...if you have tired legs and knees then poles can be a win, but if you have a tired body, with your cardiovascular system at its limits, then poles may be more of a hindrance than a help." Those "tons of weight" that poles save the knees aren't carried up the hill by themselves. Many hikers with good legs are unaware that they actually may run out of gas more quickly by using poles.
Not only do poles make hands and arms do what they aren't designed to do, they prevent your hands from being hands! Open the map, eat a snack, wipe your brow, grab a rock, snap a photo, read a compass...all of these become clumsy and time consuming with poles in hand.
The final "legitimate" con is that many people simply do not use poles correctly. Clinch says, "judging from the people I see in the UK using poles, the majority of folk get little or no benefit from them." Without proper technique, poles are simply in the way. And that brings us to the "perceived" drawbacks...
Many pole users are road hogs. They flail about madly, and you'd better get out of their way -- even when you have the uphill right-of-way. "It's all about me" seems to be their credo on the trail. Just as there are rude, inconsiderate drivers on our highways, there are rude hikers on our trails.
http://www.backpacking.net/walkstik.html
Why Carry a Walking Stick ?
IT WILL HELP YOU KEEP YOUR BALANCE
* Crossing Creeks, Streams, Rivers
* Traversing Hillsides
* Crossing Shale, Scree
* Carrying Heavy Loads
* Resting En Route
IT WILL HELP YOU MANEUVER
* Crossing Downed Trees Over Trails
* To Break or Prevent a Fall
IT WILL REDUCE STRESS ON BACK, KNEES, LEGS, & FEET
* Provides Extra Power & Balance, Going Uphill
* Reduces Shock on Knees, Going Downhill
* Takes Pressure off Back & Hips (mainly uphill)
They forgot beating off bears, wolves and small children.
Two Poles or One ?
Should you use two ski-type poles, one ski-type pole, one staff, or ?. It boils down to what is your preference. Or more specifically, what feels right on the trail. Theoretically, I felt that two poles was the best thing to do. It didn't work for me, at first--it just didn't feel right. I couldn't get balanced--couldn't get a good rhythm. I didn't have problems on snow with two snow poles, but I couldn't seem to get the same rhythm on the trail. So, for a long time, I used only one aluminum pole, or one wooden staff, when (non-snow) trekking or hiking. Currently, though, I've gotten more comfortable with two aluminum hiking poles. I've found it helps my bad back, considerably.
Experiment doing both. Do what's comfortable. I can't help wondering though, if, over a long period, the stress put on one side of your body by using only one pole, could lead to back problems. Whereas, with two poles you're putting equal stress on both sides of the body. - ?
http://www.slackpacker.com/trekking-poles.html
II. The "Pro" Side: Advantages of Trekking Poles
Most obviously, poles reduce the impact of hiking on knee joints and leg muscles. Arm and shoulder muscles support and relieve the leg muscles. With the basic "hands above the heart" position necessitated by the poles, circulation is improved and heart rate is reduced. The "rhythm" created by walking with poles leads to relaxed, more regular breathing and increased stamina.
A landmark study published by Dr. G. Neureuther in 1981 proved that use of "ski poles" while walking reduces the pressure strain on the opposite leg by approximately 20%. Furthermore, while walking on level ground, poles reduce the body weight carried by the legs by approximately 5 kg every step. Move to an incline, and that reduction increases to 8 kg. This translates into tons of weight -- yes, tons -- for even a two hour hike.
Jacquie Hunt, editor of a popular hiking newsletter, weighs in with additional health benefits: "An advantage that I found once I started using poles is that my hands no longer swell up when it is hot. Keeping your arms moving so the blood doesn't pool in the hands is a lot safer than keeping hands high on pack straps and risking a smashed face if you trip."
Finally, poles help many people with balance issues. We all have different comfort levels when balancing along puncheons, crossing streams, etc.; for some hikers, trekking poles are worth their weight in gold. They can certainly aid when crossing soft ground, and can be indispensible for tasks like river crossings, and scree running.
III. The "Con" Side: Problems with Trekking Poles
There are two categories of drawbacks to hiking poles -- those legitimate, and those perceived. One of the main problems with my comments in the LA Times article is that my "over the top" approach precluded me from stating the legitimate drawbacks to using poles. So here goes...
First, using poles increases your total energy expenditure. Your arms were not designed to prop up your body, nor to distribute weight. Even Peter Clinch, whose "Pete's Pole Page" is long recognized as an on-line authority, says, "...if you have tired legs and knees then poles can be a win, but if you have a tired body, with your cardiovascular system at its limits, then poles may be more of a hindrance than a help." Those "tons of weight" that poles save the knees aren't carried up the hill by themselves. Many hikers with good legs are unaware that they actually may run out of gas more quickly by using poles.
Not only do poles make hands and arms do what they aren't designed to do, they prevent your hands from being hands! Open the map, eat a snack, wipe your brow, grab a rock, snap a photo, read a compass...all of these become clumsy and time consuming with poles in hand.
The final "legitimate" con is that many people simply do not use poles correctly. Clinch says, "judging from the people I see in the UK using poles, the majority of folk get little or no benefit from them." Without proper technique, poles are simply in the way. And that brings us to the "perceived" drawbacks...
Many pole users are road hogs. They flail about madly, and you'd better get out of their way -- even when you have the uphill right-of-way. "It's all about me" seems to be their credo on the trail. Just as there are rude, inconsiderate drivers on our highways, there are rude hikers on our trails.
How do you assemble a backpack and sleeping bag for camping?
Marnie
New at camping and hiking. My 12 year old is in Boy Scouts. He has packed light, but the backpack is still so bulky. We can't use a framed backpack because he will have to crawl through some low areas and push his stuff through the opening. I know there must be an easy way to put it all together. The load has to be light enough for a 12 year old child to carry on a caving expedition. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated!
Answer
I'm 14 and started when I was 12. I live in Alaska, so this may not be what you're looking for, but I'll do my best. First, I always try to bring the smallest and lightest bag that I have that works for the coldest it should get. You can always layer up if you get cold. Also, internal frames are good, except for that you'll need to put most items on the inside from what I've experienced. Go through your pack when you're done packing to make sure that there's nothing that you don't need or is worth its weight. One extra tip- Use some clothes as a pillow, as it keeps them warm when it's cold and doesn't take extra space.
I'm 14 and started when I was 12. I live in Alaska, so this may not be what you're looking for, but I'll do my best. First, I always try to bring the smallest and lightest bag that I have that works for the coldest it should get. You can always layer up if you get cold. Also, internal frames are good, except for that you'll need to put most items on the inside from what I've experienced. Go through your pack when you're done packing to make sure that there's nothing that you don't need or is worth its weight. One extra tip- Use some clothes as a pillow, as it keeps them warm when it's cold and doesn't take extra space.
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Title Post: How do you learn to use hiking poles effectively?
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Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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