From: Rich Bishopp (rbishopp@rochester.rr.com)
Date: Tue Jun 25 2002 - 11:06:29 CDT
I am surprised to see all this talk about trekking poles. A friend loaned
me a pair a few years ago and that hooked me.
As for height adjustment I keep my lower section short(not completely) and
get most of the adjustment with the upper (middle section). I like my
elbows about 90 degrees and I adjust my hand placement going up or down
hill. I choke up when going uphill and put my hands on top of the grip
when going down. I use the straps when I am concerned about loosing a pole
down a hill other wise the straps just hang. I would not take them off. I
like to be able to let go of the pole if it gets stuck in a crack. I can
also get rid of it in a hurry if I'm going to fall on it and break it.
I tried using my poles without the baskets and they work fine but I put the
baskets back on because I was concerned about damaging the mount if I
wanted to use the baskets in the future.
I use rubber tips when the going is not tough. I have found that the poles
will slip off rocks (even dry) using rubber tips. The carbide tips really
bite the rock and hold at extreme angles that you would expect slippage.
You may notice scratches in rocks along steep sections of the trail (at
least I see them here in the Adirondacks) these are caused by trekking
poles. You may get some flak from the purists but I still use my poles with
the tips until safety is an issue.
The anti shock on/off adjustment is a bit tricky. First ignore the
picture. For the Komperdells tighten all the sections and your shock
should be active. You should be able to compress the poles an inch or so
(lean on it a bit). To turn off the shock absorber turn the middle section
back just a hair. You'll feel it clunk. Now try to compress the pole again
and it will move maybe a millimeter or two. If you begin to unscrew the
middle section you've gone to far. Once you have figure that out you'll be
able to give the pole a slight twist to turn on or off the shock device as
you hike. I personally have not noticed a huge benefit to the shock
thingies. I do agree that the poles are worth their weight and take them on
any trip longer than an afternoon walk.
I have cork grips on my poles and like them better than the rubber grips
and I like the idea of bicycling gloves I'll have to try that. I also keep
about ten feet of duct tape wrapped around the upper section of one pole
near the grip. No you can not carve a notch in you poles recording you
adventures but like scarred knees and elbows your poles will tell tales in
the scratches and mud.
Have a good trek
Rich Bishopp
Fairport, NY
Scoutmaster Troop 207
Eagle Scout '82 (T-452 Gates, NY)
Eagle Dad (son Doug T-208 Fairport)
www.otetiana.org
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