For those who use poles for added stability and balance, a few things to keep in mind. When hiking on level terrain, the correct pole length is: With hands through pole loops and fingers firmly around the hand grip, your forearms should be at 90 degrees to the upper arms.
On Trail: Plant poles to front and just outside stride path. If you plant beyond that, you are likely to disturb natural growth of grasses and other plants. Look down next time on trail. If you see a continuous line of holes on both sides of trail outside the normal stride width, those poles were planted too wide.
When going up, shorten poles accordingly. When descending, lengthen poles.
Poles are not toys, plant them firmly as you hike. Place much of your body weight on them when negotiating rocks, roots, or uneven terrain. Let your poles take the impact, not your knees and ankles.
Practice hiking at a moderate pace while your poles are swinging back and forth beside your hips. It should be a continuous fluid motion. Even when encountering steps up or down, deep erosion, or crossing a shallow stream.
The sequence: Plant left pole, while stepping out with left foot. Plant right pole while stepping out with right foot. Repeat. Some hikers take two steps while planting poles once. As your body moves to and beyond the planted pole, some of the impact of that step will be cushioned by that pole.
Happy Trails...It's all about the Journey!
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