I would have to agree with all the comments made regarding trekking poles. They have made a huge difference in for myself and many of my fellow philmont trekkers. Just a couple of comments to add.
1. If you're not sure if want them - try some inexpensive used "ski poles" first and see if they help you or borrow some good trekking poles from a friend. This will give you and idea if they will make a difference or not.
2. It takes awhile to get use to them as most people have different hiking styles and using poles is another style. Use them for 2 or 3 hikes and get the feel. If you buy some from the big stores (REI is my favorite) talk to them about the differences. There is a "best" way to use them and BackPacker Magazine has some great tips
3. Get the telescopic type so they collapse for easier packing and transportation but make sure they are good quality so they don't bend or break or slip. A good price range is $100 to $125.00 which will get you a good pair. Obviously there are nicer one for a lot more but unless you are sure you are going to use them alot - I would recommend starting with a midrange first and when those wear out go for the "gold"
Just my opinion on what has worked for me and the people I "play" with.
YIS and Philmont
DJohnson
ASM, Crew Advisor
philmont-request@troop47.com wrote:
philmont Digest Wed, 31 Dec 2003 00:00:08 -0600 V01 #818
Today's topics:
'Re: [Philmont]: Transportation'
'Re: [Philmont]: Transportation'
'Opinions on Treking Poles'
'Re: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles'
'Re: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles'
'RE: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles'
'Re: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles'
'RE: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles'
'RE: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles #2'
'Re: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles'
'Re: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 06:38:41 -0500
From: rsafl61660@aol.com
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Transportation
We boarded the train in Chicago, and got off in Raton, New Mexico. From there, you will have had to have made arrangements with Philmont for a shuttle bus to come and pick you up. I believe the cost is 20.00/ scout, which includes the return trip.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 12:23:39 -0600
From: "wilt.family"
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Transportation
Thanks.
I looked at the Amtrak routes. While you train looks like it went direct,
we would have to change trains 4 times to get there from Dallas. Not
practical. Looks like driving is still the best option.
Cheers!
Chris
----- Original Message -----
From:
To: "Multiple recipients of list Philmont"
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 5:38 AM
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Transportation
> We boarded the train in Chicago, and got off in Raton, New Mexico. From
there, you will have had to have made arrangements with Philmont for a
shuttle bus to come and pick you up. I believe the cost is 20.00/ scout,
which includes the return trip.
>
>
>
>
>
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> loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
> cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
> -------------------------------------------------------
>
>
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------------------------------
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2003 02:42:29 +0000
From: chassnow@comcast.net
Subject: Opinions on Treking Poles
My son and I are going to Philmont in June in 2004 with the contingent from the Great Sauk Trail Council. It will be my sons first trip and my second (it has been 40 years since I was at Philmont).
I am interested in your opinions of treking poles. Are they useful, nice to have or just so much extra weight to carry around? If you have used poles, would you recommend two poles or a single staff?
Chuck Snow
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 19:31:29 -0800
From: "David Palmer"
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles
My son and I went to Philmont last year; it was his first trek; I last went
in 1976. He did not have poles and did fine. I took trekking poles and would
not have done the trek any other way. In my opinion, the poles help your
knees and help keep a rhythm while hiking. I did not consider them excess
weight. The other adults and most of the other scouts used trekking poles
and found them helpful. In sum, I give two trekking poles two thumbs up.
David K. Palmer
SM Olympia (Wash.) BSA Troop 266
----- Original Message -----
From:
> My son and I are going to Philmont in June in 2004 with the contingent
from the Great Sauk Trail Council. It will be my sons first trip and my
second (it has been 40 years since I was at Philmont).
>
> I am interested in your opinions of treking poles. Are they useful, nice
to have or just so much extra weight to carry around? If you have used
poles, would you recommend two poles or a single staff?
>
> Chuck Snow
>
>
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
> Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
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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.
> -------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 22:36:52 -0500
From: "BSA Recreation Law"
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles
Unless you are going extremely light , i.e. 20 lbs then they are wonderful.
Studies show they can take 20% or more of the pressure off the knees. They
can be used as a replacement tent pole in some tents and they can help
balance you.
James H. Moss
jhmoss@earthlink.net
PO Box 16743
Golden, CO 80402
----- Original Message -----
From:
To: "Multiple recipients of list Philmont"
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 9:42 PM
Subject: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles
> My son and I are going to Philmont in June in 2004 with the contingent
from the Great Sauk Trail Council. It will be my sons first trip and my
second (it has been 40 years since I was at Philmont).
>
> I am interested in your opinions of treking poles. Are they useful, nice
to have or just so much extra weight to carry around? If you have used
poles, would you recommend two poles or a single staff?
>
> Chuck Snow
>
>
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
> Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
> Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
> Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
> List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
> List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
> -------------------------------------------------------
> 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.
> -------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 21:59:28 -0600
From: "BillLentz"
Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-Philmont@troop47.com [mailto:owner-Philmont@troop47.com] On
Behalf Of chassnow@comcast.net
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 8:42 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list Philmont
Subject: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles
My son and I are going to Philmont in June in 2004 with the contingent
from the Great Sauk Trail Council. It will be my sons first trip and my
second (it has been 40 years since I was at Philmont).
I am interested in your opinions of treking poles. Are they useful,
nice to have or just so much extra weight to carry around? If you have
used poles, would you recommend two poles or a single staff?
Chuck Snow
I went I 2002. There were 12 in our crew - 4 adults and 8 youth. 1 of
us used trekking poles (I youth didn't). IMHO, they're like an American
Express commercial - don't leave home with out them. Unfortunately, I
lost mine when I left them next to a small tree climbing the Tooth of
Time (I just >knew< I would find that tree on the way down!), and I fell
hiking in to base camp with out them. However, I also am a little proud
of the 1 inch scar on my wrist that resulted from that fall - kind of a
Philmont badge.
Bill
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 20:20:59 -0800
From: Andrew McHorney
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles
Hello
I use a pair of shock mounted Leki poles. Good for powering up hills and
creek crossing.
Andrew
At 02:42 AM 12/31/03 +0000, you wrote:
>My son and I are going to Philmont in June in 2004 with the contingent
>from the Great Sauk Trail Council. It will be my sons first trip and my
>second (it has been 40 years since I was at Philmont).
>
>I am interested in your opinions of treking poles. Are they useful, nice
>to have or just so much extra weight to carry around? If you have used
>poles, would you recommend two poles or a single staff?
>
>Chuck Snow
>
>
>
>
>
>-------------------------------------------------------
>Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
>Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
>Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
>-------------------------------------------------------
>Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
>Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
>List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
>List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
>-------------------------------------------------------
>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.
>-------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 23:21:20 -0500
From: "Troop 681 scout"
Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles
I hiked Philmont in 1999 and 2003 with TREKING Poles.
I agree with everthing already said...........don't leave home without them.
We had adults and youth that used them this past summer.
Helps the knees and also can be used to put up the Dining FLY...........so
you have one less item to check out and carry for crew gear. Also treking
poles allow you to make the dining fly higher off the ground so that it is
easier to work and sit under.
I have GREAT photos our our guys this past summer playing CEO (a card game)
under the dining fly in the rain, all sitting on cut log stools. They found
the log stools close to our campsite near Philips Junction.
TREKING poles are GREAT!!!
Got mine at REI...............looking forward to a BIG REI rebate amount in
2004 from all the stuff I bought in 2003 for my philmont trek.
Kim Pigorsch
Membership Chairmun (sic)
and Eagle Scout Advisor
Troop 681
_________________________________________________________________
Working moms: Find helpful tips here on managing kids, home, work and
yourself. http://special.msn.com/msnbc/workingmom.armx
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 23:37:04 -0500
From: "Troop 681 scout"
Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles #2
To make dining fly higher off the ground you need 6 poles, we put treking
poles in each of the 4 corners of fly and 2 for the peak of roof line.
Kim Pigorsch
Membership Chairmun (sic)
and Eagle Scout Advisor
Troop 681
>From: "Troop 681 scout"
>Reply-To: Philmont@troop47.com
>To: Multiple recipients of list Philmont
>Subject: RE: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles
>Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 23:21:20 -0500
>
>
>I hiked Philmont in 1999 and 2003 with TREKING Poles.
>I agree with everthing already said...........don't leave home without
>them. We had adults and youth that used them this past summer.
>
>Helps the knees and also can be used to put up the Dining FLY...........so
>you have one less item to check out and carry for crew gear. Also treking
>poles allow you to make the dining fly higher off the ground so that it is
>easier to work and sit under.
>
>I have GREAT photos our our guys this past summer playing CEO (a card game)
>under the dining fly in the rain, all sitting on cut log stools. They
>found the log stools close to our campsite near Philips Junction.
>
>TREKING poles are GREAT!!!
>
>Got mine at REI...............looking forward to a BIG REI rebate amount in
>2004 from all the stuff I bought in 2003 for my philmont trek.
>
>
>
>
>Kim Pigorsch
>Membership Chairmun (sic)
>and Eagle Scout Advisor
>Troop 681
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Working moms: Find helpful tips here on managing kids, home, work and
>yourself. http://special.msn.com/msnbc/workingmom.armx
>
>
>
>
>
>
>-------------------------------------------------------
>Scouting E-mail Discussion Lists @ usscouts.org
>Subscribe/Unsubscribe at http://usscouts.org/lists/
>Listserv Commands at http://usscouts.org/lists/lc.asp
>-------------------------------------------------------
>Send listserv commands to: listserv@troop47.com
>Send postings to: philmont@troop47.com
>List FAQ found at: http://usscouts.org/lists/faq.asp
>List Administrator: philmont_owner@troop47.com
>-------------------------------------------------------
>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.
>-------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
>
_________________________________________________________________
Check your PC for viruses with the FREE McAfee online computer scan.
http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 23:51:15 EST
From: Txnscout@aol.com
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles
--part1_15c.2a2f2a04.2d23afc3_boundary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
In my opinion, they are a "must have" item for most adults. They give you
great leverage going uphill, and cushion your knees on the way down. On level
sections, they seem to help my stride. I prefer a pair of the collapsible,
shock absorbing style. REI usually puts a good matched pair on sale in the $60
price range, just keep your eyes open.
Chas. Clifton
Scoutmaster -Troop 11
Port Neches, Texas
Advisor 708G2001
And going back in 2004....
I used to a Bobwhite...SR-357, and then a Staffer...SR-439, SR-613
Remember : We are in this program for the boys.......let them lead
In a message dated 12/30/2003 6:52:24 PM Pacific Standard Time,
chassnow@comcast.net writes:
> I am interested in your opinions of treking poles. Are they useful, nice
> to have or just so much extra weight to carry around? If you have used poles,
> would you recommend two poles or a single staff?
--part1_15c.2a2f2a04.2d23afc3_boundary
Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
In my opinion=
, they are a "must have" item for most adults. They give you great lev=
erage going uphill, and cushion your knees on the way down. On level s=
ections, they seem to help my stride. I prefer a pair of the collapsib=
le, shock absorbing style. REI usually puts a good matched pair on sal=
e in the $60 price range, just keep your eyes open.
Chas. Clifton
Scoutmaster -Troop 11
Port Neches, Texas
Advisor 708G2001
And going back in 2004....
I used to a Bobwhite...SR-357, and then a Staffer...SR-439, SR-613
Remember : We are in this program for the boys.......let them lead
In a message dated 12/30/2003 6:52:24 PM Pacific Standard Time, chassnow=
@comcast.net writes:
LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">I am interested in your opi=
nions of treking poles. Are they useful, nice to have or just so much=20=
extra weight to carry around? If you have used poles, would you recomm=
end two poles or a single staff?fff" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D3 PTSIZE=3D12 FAMILY=3D"SANS=
SERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">
OR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=
=3D"0">
--part1_15c.2a2f2a04.2d23afc3_boundary--
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2003 00:30:08 EST
From: HICKER1@aol.com
Subject: Re: [Philmont]: Opinions on Treking Poles
-------------------------------1072848608
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
A good web site the covers the all aspects of trekking or hiking poles is:
http://www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/poles.htm
I likewise wouldn't leave home without them.
Jerry Jung
DesPlaines Valley Council
Philmont '56, '92, '96, '99, '02, '05
-------------------------------1072848608
Content-Type: text/html; charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
t=3Dutf-8">
f">
A good web site the covers the all aspects of trekking or hiking poles=20=
is:
http:/=
/www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/poles.htm
I likewise wouldn't leave home without them.
Jerry Jung
DesPlaines Valley Council
Philmont '56, '92, '96, '99, '02, '05
-------------------------------1072848608--
------------------------------
End of philmont Digest V01 #818
*******************************
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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 Wed Dec 31 08:47:29 2003
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