RE: [Philmont]: Trekking Poles?

I haven't read all the messages on trekking poles but the issue of the noise
they make grabbed my attention.

It really is possible to hike silently (or nearly so) so as to catch
wildlife unaware. Teaching how to do this used to be a part of Scouting
(stalking skills).

For trek poles a simple remedy is two fold: 1) get a rubber tip on the
bottom of each pole and 2) place the pole on the ground before putting
weight on it rather than hit the ground with it.

There are other practices which make for silent hiking. Tape down or
cushion noisy gear with cloth.
Adjust your backpack and clothing so you don't make "swishing" sounds.
Change the way you place your foot on the ground after taking a step so as
to make little noise. A group can become very "silent" if each member takes
a turn and carries their gear in front of the group for 10 yards or so and
receives constructive suggestions for becoming more silent.

Learning how to move silently can be made into a Scout game. One at a time,
a Scout leaves the campsite, goes about 50 yards out and then tries to
stealthily reenter. When you hear him make a sound you let him know he's
been "caught". Award points for the closeness to camp achieved before being
heard. You then let the next Scout leave camp and try the same thing. Be
sure to have everyone get several chances in this game so they have the
opportunity to improve.

Leave No Trace can also mean imitate wildlife and make no unnecessary noise.

Joe Jansen
JAJansenJr@gmail.com
http://www.customprograms.info/scoutingresources.htm
I used to be an Owl. SC-70-15

>From: Roman Smith <smith.13@nd.edu>
>Reply-To: philmont@troop47.com
>To: Multiple recipients of list philmont <philmont@troop47.com>
>Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Trekking Poles?
>Date: Tue, 05 Apr 2005 10:36:28 -0500
>
>No, I never left the list. I got enough email suggesting that I stay on
>the list.
>
>I have never used the trekking poles, but I use a hiking staff. If I were
>to head back to Philmont, I am sure that with my knees and hips I would now
>want to "click and clack" my way along the trail. The reports seem to make
>them essential for some of us who are less than perfect specimens of human
>beings.
>
>So what are the choices if we want to stop the "click and clack" of metal
>against the rocky trail of Philmont. If we put an age limit of 50 on all
>hikers, then many troops would not be able to allow their scouts to enjoy
>the trails. However, that would give all of those healthy troops a better
>chance of getting through the registration process. (There is an upside to
>over-regulation.)
>
>But if we really want all scouts to experience Philmont once in their life,
>we may have to bite the bullet and allow frail men to advise the crew on
>the trail. Who cares if I am so noisy that my scouts do not get to see
>turkeys anyway. The bulls will still be there in the pasture. We will get
>to see at least one animal.
>
>In 1999 we came to a "T" in the trail and spent some time with the map
>trying to figure out if we turn right or left. We noticed that one or more
>member of the group in front of us was leaving marks with trekking poles,
>and they had gone right. We headed in that direction. After about a half
>mile, the marks disappeared along with any trace of footprints. We
>concluded that they had turned back and gone the other way. We did the
>same and latter found that we really should have turned left at the start.
>Which one of you guys on this list lead us astray? It had to be one of
>you, no one else was using trekking pole in 1999.
>
>Roman Smith
>
>At 08:04 AM 4/5/2005, you wrote:
>>I guess I am in the minority here, but the "Click and Clack" of hiking
>>poles
>>while going down a quiet scenic trail or path is just too much for me.
>>They
>>are very noisy. If you have 4-6 members of your crew using them the crew
>>will sound like a drum set coming down the trail.
>
>
>
>
>
>
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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------

 
Received on Tue Apr 5 19:07:56 2005