Hello there, my nature lovers. Are you planning your next intrepid exploration in the wilderness of nature? Well, as long as you are equipped with hiking gear such as water bottles, food items, clothes, and stuff, you have nothing to worry about. You can easily navigate through the rugged paths of hiking terrains such as Salt Lake City and Big Bear Lake if you have the right hiking pole. So, in this article guide, we are here to talk about hiking poles and how to use them for successful navigation. Tie your laces, pack your camera, and get ready to traverse the rugged terrain of untamed nature’s realm.
Hiking Sticks – A Great Support
Hiking sticks or simply poles are multipurpose equipment with several advantages for hikers of all levels. You’d not be able to traverse the rugged paths on your own. Although you might feel a little confident with your high-quality boots, hiking poles are what you need for stability on the terrain. They boost overall hiking efficiency, offer stability, and lessen joint strain. Knowing how to use hiking poles properly can make a big difference in your outdoor experience, whether you’re traversing difficult terrain or taking a leisurely stroll through the woods. So, before learning how to use trekking sticks, let’s discuss the different types.
Hiking Pole Types
Well, just imagine how weird it would be if you were using trekking poles and didn’t know which one was in your hand. Let’s have a look at different types.
Trekking Poles
- Description: Typically used for normal hiking and backpacking, these are the most popular kinds of hiking poles.
- Features: Wrist straps, adjustable lengths, and cozy grips make them appropriate for a range of surfaces.
- Adequacy: Perfect for hikers seeking stability and adaptability on a variety of trails.
Nordic Walking Poles
- Purpose: Specially made for Nordic walking, which is a fitness walk in which upper body muscles are worked out with poles.
- Features: Comfortable grips, customized straps made for a certain gait pattern, and lightweight design.
- Advantages: Offers a full-body workout, improves cardiovascular benefits, and encourages improved posture.
Mountaineering Poles
- Design: Sturdy and robust, made for harsh environments and challenging types of terrains.
- Features: Extended grips for steep descents and ascents; adjustable baskets for various terrain kinds.
- Adequacy: Ideal for hikers and mountaineers venturing into rugged or snowy terrain.
Fixed-Length Poles
- Design: They are lightweight and lacking in adjustable sections, making them the go-to option for trail runners and weight-conscious individuals.
- Limitation: Less versatile than adjustable poles for different terrains.
Folding Poles
- Build: Folds up easily for carrying and storing, perfect for travelers or those who don’t have a lot of room to pack.
- Trade-Off: Generally lighter than conventional trekking poles, but you might give up some durability in the process.
Hiking Pole Length for Hiking Pole
Now that we have discussed different hiking poles, the next thing you need to know is their length. You can go for adjustable poles where you can easily adjust the length as per your needs. Doing this can maximize your efficiency and help you remain confident and stable throughout the trek. Moreover, properly adjusted poles ease your body’s tension and improve balance.
Determining the Correct Hiking Pole Length
- Method: Hold poles with tips on the ground while standing with your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle.
- Calculation: To find the ideal pole length in inches, multiply your height in inches by 0.68.
- Goal: Establish a comfortable and natural arm position that helps in maintaining your balance and gait.
Customizable Lengths
- Features: To suit various terrains and tastes, the majority of trekking poles feature adjustable lengths.
Techniques
- Uphill: To preserve an erect stance and increase leverage, shorten the pole slightly.
- Downhill: Lengthen the pole to stabilize and lessen the force on your knees as you descend.
Changing the Hiking Pole Length
You can adjust the length of the pole if you know how to do it. So, don’t worry if you are stuck in uneven terrain; just read this section and make your stick look however you want it to be.
Locking Mechanisms for Hiking Pole Length
- Options: Lever locks, twist locks, and combination locks are among the types, each providing varying degrees of convenience and safety.
- Adjustment: Make sure that the poles are fastened firmly to avoid collapsing when heavy or during intense activity.
- On-the-Go Adjustments: As the terrain changes, quickly adjust to maintain the ideal pole length for stability and comfort. Knowing how to customize the pole length makes you step closer to using the walking poles correctly.
Selecting the Appropriate Hiking Poles
Grip Materials
- Cork Grips: Convenient, moisture-wicking, and shaped to fit the hand over time, these grips are perfect for extended hikes.
- Foam Grips: These are lightweight, sweat-absorbing, and ideal for hot areas; however, they might wear out sooner.
- Rubber Grips: Blisters can occur if hands become sweaty; however, these grips are insulating and perfect for cooler weather.
Strap Design
- The design of the straps is padded and adjustable, distributing pressure equally over the hands and wrists.
- Correct Adjustment: Straps should be able to support the poles for an extended period while allowing a comfortable grasp.
Material for Shaft
- Aluminum Poles: Sturdy and reasonably priced, ideal for everyday hiking and trekking.
- Carbon Fiber Poles: These poles are more expensive and vulnerable to impact damage but lighter and better at absorbing vibrations.
Fundamental Methods To Use Hiking Poles
There are many ways to use the hiking poles correctly, some of which are mentioned below:
Walking on Flat Terrain
- Technique: Plant both poles opposite to your leading foot and let them swing naturally with each stride.
- Features: Improves stability and rhythm, eases the burden on lower body joints, and evenly distributes work among the muscles of the upper body.
Use Hiking Poles for Getting Uphill
- Pole Adjustment: When learning to use trekking sticks, length customization is something to focus on. Shorten the pole a little to keep your posture straight and increase your leverage.
- Technique: To push off the ground and lessen pressure on leg muscles, firmly plant poles with each step.
Descending Hills
- Pole Adjustment: Lengthen the pole to lessen knee impact and add stability.
- Approach: To help with your descent, regulate your speed, and keep your balance, plant poles ahead of your body.
Use Hiking Poles for Crossing Uneven Terrain or Streams
- Use the Poles: You can use the walking sticks to traverse the rugged paths successfully. Before crossing, check the water’s depth or the stability of the rocks.
- Technique: Firmly plant poles to help with balance when negotiating uneven or slick terrain.
Advanced Methods to Use Hiking Poles
Double Pole Plant
- Technique: With each step, plant both poles simultaneously in front of you.
- Benefits: Effectively uses upper body strength to increase walking speed on flat or mildly sloping terrain.
Balancing with Poles
- Technique: To increase the width of your base of support on challenging sections, extend poles slightly ahead and to the sides.
- Advantages: Increases stability when navigating difficult terrain, rocky trails, and small paths.
Nordic Walking Method
- Stride: Lean back and plant poles to make longer strides.
- Push Off: To increase walking efficiency and burn calories, tighten your core muscles and employ your upper body strength.
Climbing and Scrambling
- Grips: When climbing rocky or steep terrain, use extended grips for improved leverage.
- Method: To conserve energy and maintain stability, firmly plant poles and utilize them to pull yourself up as you step
Tips to Use Hiking Poles Correctly
Appropriate Hand Position
- Grip: To prevent hand fatigue and blisters, keep a loose grasp on the poles.
- Hand Placement: Change the wrist straps and grip for maximum comfort and control on a range of surfaces.
Maintaining Rhythm
- Consistency: Find a rhythm that is consistent with both the terrain and your walking pace.
- Efficiency: To increase endurance and lessen overall tiredness, divide your effort equally between your upper and lower bodies.
Preventing Snags
- Careful Planting: Take note of pole positioning to keep yourself from being tangled in bushes, stones, or other obstructions.
- Adjustment: To avoid snagging in areas with a lot of vegetation or narrow pathways, shorten the pole length.
Resting and Stowing
- Use as Support: You can use walking poles for support while resting.
- Storage: When not in use, tuck poles away on your bag using the integrated clips or straps.
Taking Care of Your Poles
- Maintenance: Check poles on a regular basis for wear and damage, particularly following strenuous hikes or exposure to inclement weather.
- Cleaning: Dust off any debris, mud, or moisture that can hasten corrosion or wear on poles.
- Storage: To avoid rusting or harming grips and locking mechanisms, store poles in a cold, dry location.
Environmental Considerations
- Leave No Trace: Reduce your impact on the surrounding environment by using hiking poles appropriately and making as little of an imprint as possible.
- Respect Wildlife: Stay on pathways that have been designated and do not trespass on wildlife habitats or nesting places.
However, if you want to know about the uses of hiking poles, check out this article.
Extra Advice for a Better Hiking Experience
- Use Gaiters: Guard boots and lower legs from mud, water, and debris; especially helpful in muddy or wet weather.
- Posture Awareness: When hiking with poles, keep your back and shoulders less strained by maintaining proper posture.
- Basic Engagement: To improve balance and stabilize body motions, particularly on uneven terrain, engage your core muscles.
- Nutrition and Hydration: During longer treks and demanding climbs, keep yourself nourished with snacks and properly hydrated to sustain energy levels.
- Take Breaks: Plan frequent pauses to replenish fluids, recuperate, and modify pole settings to accommodate varying ground conditions.
- Route Planning: Learn about terrain profiles and trail maps so that you can anticipate variations in height and alter hiking pole techniques as necessary.
Conclusion
Summing up what has been discussed so far, the article covered a detailed discussion on what are hiking poles and how to use them correctly. If you are planning your next adventure in the outdoors, all you need is the right gear and our article guide to traverse the rugged paths with ease. Not only have we discussed different types of trekking poles, but we also have a detailed guide on how to adjust the length as per your needs. So, pick the ideal walking stick and learn about basic and advanced methods to use it correctly during your trekking.
Lace your Boots, and Pick the Stick!