RE: [Philmont]: Trekking Poles

The tungsten carbide tips that come on most good trek poles these days
are designed to grab on slippery stone. I can attest that they do in
fact work. We held one of our shakedown hikes at Devils Lake, WI. The
Baraboo Quartzite bluffs are popular with Midwest rock climbers as it's
exceptionally slippery and makes the climbs more challenging, which also
makes them challenging for backpackers. The tips on my poles grabbed the
slippery surface with ease. Rubber tips may be quieter but surprisingly
not as "grippy" and the rubber would wear quickly on rock trails.

Also, I recall that one does not want to be especially quiet in bear
country as you want them to know you're there. I sorely missed the
opportunity to see an elk last summer, but I'm glad I didn't surprise
any black bears.

Lastly, if you're getting poked by the trek poles from the hiker behind
you, then your crew is not hiking with proper spacing. Our ranger taught
us to keep about 10' between crew members. Or perhaps the fellow behind
you was exceptionally tall! ;-)

BTW, I usually take a single wooden staff with me on short 5 mile day
hike. But I'll never go on a backpacking trip without my trek poles.
They are worth their weight in gold.

>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: owner-philmont@troop47.com
>>[mailto:owner-philmont@troop47.com] On Behalf Of
>>Michael_J_Conkey@nbc.gov
>>Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2005 8:15 AM
>>To: Multiple recipients of list philmont
>>Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Trekking Poles
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>The other issue with trekking poles is the danger aspect of
>>the pointy ends. After nearly being stuck several times by a
>>fellow advisor's poles over the course of the trek, I would
>>STRONGLY recommend the rubber tips. Not that they were being
>>dangerous with them, but as you trudge up the hill, you get
>>into the zone and forget that someone is hiking right behind
>>you. As you are stepping down a high water bar, the pole can
>>kick up behind you and easily stab the knee of someone behind
>>you. I (as a non-pole user) quickly learned to not follow
>>pole users so closely, even though being closer meant
>>discussions could be in a lower voice. YIS. Mike ('76, '02 & '04).
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
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As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
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cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
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Received on Wed Apr 6 15:36:53 2005