As someone who has been in the outdoor sporting leisure sport of mountaineering for more than 20 years, I am often asked how to use trekking poles. This equipment is one of the oldest and most reliable tools a mountaineer can carry. While effective for all kinds of mountaineering activities, poles are particularly useful for crossing gorges, choosing routes and more. Here are some things you should know about pole use. Then you can have fun on your mountain escapades knowing how to use trekking poles properly.
Knowing how to use trekking poles correctly starts with understanding how to measure them. The diameter of the poles is referred to as their ‘wider’ size, while the length is called their ‘thicker’ size. Generally, though, it’s best to get the larger diameter poles, because they’re easier to handle and hold. (Tire down the larger trekking poles first, before testing the shorter ones.)
When learning how to use trekking poles, you have several ways to hold them. One is the traditional single grip, where the pole is held by a single finger. Others include thumb, forefinger and even both thumbs. (The best grips are usually used by adults, for reasons of safety and stability.) You may also want to use a double grip, where both hands are curled around the pole, for greater leverage.
If you’re a novice at using them, start out by holding on to only one side. Then work your way slowly to the other side. (That might take a bit of practice, though I’ve seen people do it perfectly.) As you become more experienced with how to use trekking poles, you can try to grab both sides at once, but always keep your center of gravity over the entire area of the pole.
The main thing to remember is that your trekking poles should be loose. Don’t hold them on tightly, because you’ll be putting more pressure on them. Remember that your poles will move when you bend or turn, so it’s important that they’re not absolutely nailed down. (And make sure that you aren’t dragging them along behind you, which could be dangerous.)
Next, be aware that the poles will lose height as you lose weight. This is why it’s important to eat a healthy diet when you’re going on a trek. (Don’t pack more food in your backpack than you need.) Keep in mind that the poles won’t be as high when you’re carrying a lot more weight, so it’s especially important to stay away from your poles when you’re carrying only a few items.
Finally, when you’re learning how to use trekking poles, it’s important that you don’t try to swing them too quickly. They’re not going to react differently if you do this, so just practice slowly swinging them instead. Keep in mind that you don’t have to swing them with all of your strength. You can take it slowly and steadily, taking small steps.
Overall, learning how to use trekking poles is a simple process. Just remember that your poles will move, so be prepared for them to do so. Keep your center of gravity over the entire area of the poles, and remember to relax your shoulders when you’re carrying your poles. And most importantly, have fun! After all, you’re trying to conquer nature, and the better you enjoy your experience, the better you will enjoy your camping trip.
If you’re looking for tips on how to use trekking poles, the first thing you should know is that your poles need to be strong. You want to make sure they’re sturdy enough to hold your body up. Even the slightest bend in the pole can cause your whole body to tilt forward, which isn’t very comfortable during your entire climb. If you’re unsure as to how to handle the poles, call a professional.
The next step is to learn how to read the labels. You need to know what materials the poles are made of, so you know which type of poles to purchase. Some poles are also made from materials that won’t break down as easily, which is great because you don’t want to have to deal with reels that won’t last through the first few uses.
Finally, you need to know how to use trekking poles correctly. Even if they seem intuitive, it’s easy to put the poles in the wrong way, and it’s very dangerous. Don’t hold on to the poles by the handle – simply lower them down into the water and get them out of the way. It’s also important not to hold the poles between your legs when you’re walking – this can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Once you know how to use trekking poles, you’ll be able to enjoy the great outdoors more than ever before.