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 Post subject: Are Trekking Poles Useful?
PostPosted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:03 pm 
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Eagle

Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 5:54 pm
Posts: 464
Location: Longhorn Council
As a youth, I did a lot of hiking/backing with my troop. The only thing I really ever had was a walking stick I made (still have it after 25 years).

I haven't done much hiking/backpacking as an adult, but will start doing so as I get ready for Philmont next summer. I need to start now getting in shape as I need to drop about 50 pounds.

I've seen a lot of folks these days use trekking poles and I was wondering if anyone recommended them or are they a waste of money.

Just curious what you all have to say.

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Mike
* Scoutmaster - Troop 598 Longhorn Council
* Wood Badge SR-837 (Bear Patrol)
* Wood Badge SR-969 (Staff - Troop Guide) July 2009
* Wood Badge SR-1040 (Staff - Troop Guide) April 2010
* Eagle Scout 1982


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 Post subject: Re: Are Trekking Poles Useful?
PostPosted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:10 pm 
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Eagle

Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:04 am
Posts: 260
Location: Kingston, NY (Rip Van Winkle Coun.)
You bet! My oldest son (an Eagle) is a physical therapist and swears by them. They help take the presure off of the hips and knees when going up OR down hills (esp. with back-pack). So, get some and enjoy. Those sold in the Scout Shop for $20 are pretty good AND sturdy, too!

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 Post subject: Re: Are Trekking Poles Useful?
PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:40 am 
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Site Admin

Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2004 7:01 am
Posts: 4938
Location: Westmoreland-Fayette Council BSA
Absolutly I never go hiking without them. They really save the knees and can keep you from falling in many situations. If buying do not go cheap I just purchased a new pair with shock absorbers for 70.00 They are black diamond. The shock absorbers do make a big difference. I also recommend getting the extra rubber tips. if you buy a good pair they will last if you go cheap you will be left hanging someplace you do not want to be.

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 Post subject: Re: Are Trekking Poles Useful?
PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:22 am 
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Bronze Palm

Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2005 3:27 pm
Posts: 818
Location: Greater Cleveland Council
wagionvigil wrote:
.... if you buy a good pair they will last if you go cheap you will be left hanging someplace you do not want to be.


True statement for all camping equipment.

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"The only problem with Boy Scouts is, there aren't enough of them." Will Rogers


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 Post subject: Re: Are Trekking Poles Useful?
PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:29 am 
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Eagle

Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 9:20 am
Posts: 431
Location: Simon Kenton Council
a pair of treking poles, 20 feet of 550 cord, 4 aluminum stakes, and a silicon/nylon tarp makes a great ultralight tent.

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No one can pass through life, any more than he can pass through a bit of country, without leaving tracks behind, and those tracks may often be helpful to those coming after him in finding their way. - Lord Baden-Powell


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 Post subject: Re: Are Trekking Poles Useful?
PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 11:26 am 
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Eagle

Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:32 pm
Posts: 325
Location: Cascade Pacific Council
Trekking poles are great! Increased stability, balance, extra power on the uphills, crossing streams, fencing, javelin toss . . .


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 Post subject: Re: Are Trekking Poles Useful?
PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:58 pm 
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Life

Joined: Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:24 pm
Posts: 152
Location: Norwela Council
alex gregory wrote:
Trekking poles are great! ......fencing, javelin toss . . .


"None shall pass!"


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 Post subject: Re: Are Trekking Poles Useful?
PostPosted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 8:53 am 
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Eagle

Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 5:54 pm
Posts: 464
Location: Longhorn Council
Wow...I can see that the trekking poles are a hit among those here. I will definitely check them out.

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Mike
* Scoutmaster - Troop 598 Longhorn Council
* Wood Badge SR-837 (Bear Patrol)
* Wood Badge SR-969 (Staff - Troop Guide) July 2009
* Wood Badge SR-1040 (Staff - Troop Guide) April 2010
* Eagle Scout 1982


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 Post subject: Re: Are Trekking Poles Useful?
PostPosted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 1:21 pm 
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Life

Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2005 9:00 pm
Posts: 222
Location: WLACC
I too considered getting poles in preparation for a Philmont trek a few years ago. Rather than spending a bunch of money to test out the idea, I made a pair using a broomstick and a loop of nylon web material. They worked great, I took them at Philmont, and still use them today. My advice is to make your own and not waste good money on a commercial version.


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 Post subject: Re: Are Trekking Poles Useful?
PostPosted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:43 pm 
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First Class

Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2005 10:07 pm
Posts: 55
Location: Baden-Powell
I made some from 3/4 pvc piping and added an end cap to one end. Works great.

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Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know a better flag to wave? Sure I love my country with all her faults. I'm not ashamed of that, never have been, never will be." -- John Wayne


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 Post subject: Re: Are Trekking Poles Useful?
PostPosted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 3:01 pm 
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Second Class

Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:51 pm
Posts: 21
Location: Crossroads of America
Even though I'm not all THAT old yet, and am quite flexible and nimble, I like using them at certain times. They also double as my tent poles. I do not like the twist-lock ones, but the flick-lock version. They hold better, are quicker to adjust and hold up better. Walmart actually carries both styles. $13 each for the flick-locks I got last summer.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... d=10928566


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 Post subject: Re: Are Trekking Poles Useful?
PostPosted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 7:14 pm 
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Site Admin
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Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2004 8:45 am
Posts: 1291
Location: Mecklenburg County Council
LSR wrote:
"None shall pass!"

Molōn labe! (Or, ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ, for those who might insist on the original.)

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 Post subject: Re: Are Trekking Poles Useful?
PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:27 pm 
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Star

Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:49 pm
Posts: 64
Location: Golden Empire Council -CA
I find them very useful. At mile 10 of a two night 30 mile backpacking trip with only two adults, I twisted my ankle in a major way, and with the use of the poles (after adjusting pack weights), we were able to continue with the Trek. I was the last one out of Yosemite; and the scouts were very appreciative that they were able to finish the Trek vs turning around and going home. I do not go without them anymore!

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SM, Dist Adv Chair
Woodbadge WE3-47-07
OA Brotherhood
I was recently reminded that there are four things you can not recover:
"The stone after the throw, the word after is's said, the occasion after the loss, the time after it's gone."


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