I remember the first time I started to prepare for a mountain hunt and began entertaining the idea of utilizing trekking poles. Initially, I was hesitant to even consider their use but kept hearing of the potential benefits. I was skeptical at first and when I first started using them I absolutely hated them and thought they were nothing more than an awkward irritating distraction.
I stuck with them on my training hikes and eventually learned to become more comfortable with their presence as I put more miles on them from week to week. That was a long time ago. Now I never even notice I have them with me as they have become more of an extension of my body while both ascending and descending trails. They offer great stability and allow one to move quickly over rough terrain and they really help to lighten the strain and load of a pack in steep country.
So what are trekking poles all about and why would you want to be bothered with these while hunting? Let’s take a look at some things to consider and perhaps you might want to ponder their use as well. First off, I must state that they do leave marks on rocks as you move about ascending and descending trails. That little carbide or steel tip holds on for traction and will definitely leave a scratch behind. For those of you who are of the mindset that chewing up a trail by leaving marks is a non-starter I submit for consideration that in most areas a few additional marks on rocks are likely no worse than the actual trail itself you’re moving along. There is a small rubber tip protector or walking tip which you can add to cover the carbide tip for more sensitive areas to reduce damage to terrain. You can also help to reduce damage to vegetation that is immediately off trail by keeping your pole tips on the trail where possible. When not on a trail you can consider not using the poles on flat terrain to minimize soil and plant damage and only using the poles during ascent, descent, or for a difficult traverse.
Let’s explore some advantages to utilizing trekking poles. As I mentioned, they help to offer stability and balance by allowing you to have additional points of contact as you move along terrain. This benefit is realized through contact with the ground or rocks where you are traveling as well as when leaning around obstacles or moving through more difficult terrain. They are also very helpful in this department when going over or under obstacles with your pack mounted.
If you are moving over loose terrain, icy areas, snow patches, wet slippery rocks, or through streams they help to make the passage feel much safer and easier to negotiate with confidence. You will definitely notice a feeling of improved footing and stability. They are also handy to test soft or boggy areas as you find so often in areas of Alaska. Trekking poles generally come with a smaller trekking basket that is visible just above the pole tip. If you desire, this basket can be replaced with a larger snow basket for use in the snow and on soft, muddy terrain.
When ascending with a pack they really reduce tired legs as you can push with the pole to thrust or push yourself upward. By doing this you are transferring some of your weight to your back, shoulders, and arms. I have a disability that involves my lower back and dominant wrist. The use of trekking poles really helps me to continue what I enjoy doing outdoors and to stay fit and prepared for my next adventure.
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| Correct Strap Entry from the Bottom |
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| Incorrect Strap Entry from the Top |
It is worth mentioning that when you use the trekking poles the strap is what receives much of the strain of ascent and descent and not your hands. Padded or lined straps are beneficial and will help to reduce rubbing and chafing. If you are death gripping the poles for stability, unless specifically needed for a certain terrain situation, you are likely using them incorrectly. To use the straps correctly you must insert your hand up through the bottom of the strap and not through the top of the strap. This allows the strap to work properly. Having straps that are adjustable is a real plus. This feature will allow you to tighten or loosen the straps as needed and allows for a more precise fit when adding or removing gloves in different environmental conditions.
On trail descent they are great in decreasing stress that would ordinarily be absorbed primarily by your legs, knees, and ankles. I have read that the percentage of reduced compressive force to the knees can be as much as 25%. If that figure is accurate, it is pretty significant when you consider those day long or multiday descents with equipment and game over the course of a long trail.
There is of course no such thing as a free lunch. The reduction of stress and strain to the legs and knees is going to be felt in the arms and other areas to some extent. What is occurring is a redistribution of how the weight or stress is distributed to your body parts. When you first start using trekking poles you may notice fatigue in the shoulders and upper arms and neck. I know I certainly did. For me, this diminished over time with regular training as these newly taxed muscles strengthened.
One of the first and obvious considerations, if you are a rifle or bowhunter that plans on utilizing trekking poles, is the need to get the rifle or bow out of your hands to allow you to use the poles. You will need to consider various weapon carry methods to remedy this issue. For me, I like the Kifaru GunBearer® system but there are other systems and packs specifically designed to fulfill this performance requirement for both rifle and bowhunters.
There are a variety of trekking poles available but for this discussion I am focusing on the aluminum trekking poles that most have seen and have familiarity. I have not had personal experience with Nordic walking poles or hiking staffs and do not feel qualified to offer opinion without first giving them a try and directly comparing their performance and benefits. In rugged hunting environments aluminum poles get my nod over carbon fiber poles which are of course lighter. Aluminum can bend but is less likely to experience a failure and break. A carbon fiber pole would be more vulnerable to the possibility of splintering or perhaps breaking when compared to aluminum under high stress in rugged mountain terrain situations. That would be a very uncomfortable situation at best and potentially a very dangerous situation should it occur on descent with a loaded pack and weight bearing on a pole trying to negotiate a problem area of a trail.
Many trekking pole models are available for both men and women. Brands include Leki, Komperdell, and Black Diamond to name just a few. Manufacturers include features such as compact poles, which are shorter and have a smaller grip for those who have smaller hands such as women. As the name implies, antishock poles work to absorb shock. These antishock systems can consist of springs, air valves, and rubberized components. Different manufacturers take different approaches to achieving shock absorption systems. Some systems, such as spring assisted systems, can be turned off during an ascent.
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| Grip Material and Ergonomics for Consideration |
Poles are also available in a standard configuration without a shock system. There are also various grip materials and grip angles available, ultralite aluminum and even carbon versions, as previously mentioned. Once you decide that a trekking pole might be in your future it is a great idea to arm yourself with a little online research regarding model variations. Mentally take that information with you and pay a visit to your local climbing shop or outdoor retailer to get your hands on various models to see how they feel to you.
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| Using Extended Grip Area During Traverse |
Because of my wrist and back problems the antishock system is what I opted to utilize. My hunting partner is always focused on ounces saved and for him the only choice was a lightweight aluminum model with ergonomic angled cork handles. It is worth mentioning that when you look at trekking poles you may notice that some will have an extended grip below the main grip. This is useful in very steep terrain where you may need to negotiate a rough area and choke-up on the pole in a specific area of the climb or traverse. Handles are generally available in rubber, foam, or cork. Each has a realized benefit and therefore a potential drawback in some situations. Rubber insulates and reduces shock. It can also cause a blister in hotter weather if you don’t have on a lightweight glove. Cork conforms well to the hand and resists sweat well. Foam is very soft but absorbs moisture more easily.
When you shop, weight, strength, and price will be factors to consider along with handle material and ergonomics. There are also different locking mechanisms such as DuoLock (Komperdell), Super Lock (Leki), and FlickLock (Black Diamond). These systems all work to provide a dependable system to help assure secure settings. The systems are proprietary and vary from manufacturer. I personally chose Black Diamond as I found I liked the ease of making adjustments on the fly with gloves on and the adjustability of controlling the lock-up pressure through the FlipLock. I also liked their antishock system. Your preference may vary and you should handle different systems to see what you like best.
I would recommend that you speak with someone knowledgeable at your local outdoor shop to help you set-up your pole length initially and give you a few pointers on pole placement and length adjustments in various terrain. It is not rocket science but a few tips before you get started can really help to shorten the learning curve. You also want to assure that the pole you are considering will be correct for your height and allow for adequate pole extension during descents.
In general, when on a level floor, you will adjust your poles so that your forearm is parallel to the floor while you hold the grips and the pole tip is touching the floor. This length adjustment should be made between the top and bottom sections of the trekking pole to allow adequate section extension capability of the upper section for descents. Once you have the level ground adjustment figured out, simply note the markings on the upper and lower section and commit those to memory. Those settings will likely work well in varied terrain (gentle up and down trails) and level areas. I tend to also use this setting for ascents as well. You can also shorten the poles a couple of inches on ascents if you prefer. When descending, you will lengthen your poles a few inches to provide the necessary length to reach out below you and gain balance. I usually use a default adjustment of an additional 20 cm for typical descents that I find works well for me.
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| Marking Poles for Ascent and Descent |
Because I am forgetful at times, I marked my poles with a permanent marker to denote my permanent bottom pole setting, which I do not adjust, and also marked my two upper pole settings which I typically use for either a normal/ascent situation or the extended position for a steep descent. This makes for a quick easy adjustment while on the trail without trying to put glasses on to read numbers and get things just right. When I compress my poles to make them compact for transportation, it is a quick and easy adjustment to get them right where I like them to be the next time I hit the trail. When you find yourself in a traverse situation in steep terrain you can either shorten the uphill pole manually or if your pole has the extended grip area, simply hold the pole in the area below the main grip.
There are a few other uses for your trekking poles should you decide to add poles to your outdoor equipment list. First, they can serve as an improvised rest or to stabilize a peek through the binoculars. Some tents will allow for the use of a trekking pole as the tent support pole allowing you to dump the tent pole and keep that extra weight out of your pack. A trekking pole also works well to raise a tarp for a quick improvised shelter and can also be used as a splint or a crutch. Finally, it is a great place to wrap extra electrical tape if you use that for bore protection on your firearm and prefer not to wrap extra tape around your barrel.
I have learned to fully appreciate the benefits of using trekking poles in mountain environments. Poles have now become a part of my general equipment list for that reason. If you have a friend who uses them, have him/her give you a quick lesson and give them a try. Remember to be patient and to allow yourself some training time to learn how to manipulate the poles, adjust them for different terrain, and use them in various applications. Once you learn how much they can help with a load you will understand why so many mountain hunters would never be caught without them!
