Trekking Poles - what , why , where and when ??
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Answering some questions on trekking and walking poles for hiking in the mountains....
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I have been asked about my tekking or walking poles and here I attempt to go through the reasons why I use them, how I use them and what ones I use in the mountains of Scotland....
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NB -The content within is strictly only reports from my trips out detailing the days we have had. They are not intended as guides or routes to be used by others - rather memories of my trips. Take care and be responsible for your activities. Be safe and prepared and have a great time in the Great Outdoors :)
#trekkingpoles #hikinggear #walkingpoles
I bought a cheap pair of leki poles to see if I’d get on with them. I’m never without poles now. My knees give me jip at times. I should’ve used poles years ago. I also noticed my triceps are much firmer. Nae bingo wings. I also plant them and pull myself along. It’s a huge difference especially with the heavy pack on. I fell on my kidsty pike camp and one flew out my hand but I had the other wrist loop on and it bent my arm. So I don’t use the wrist loops. Good advice there. 👍
A big thank you from sleepy Dyffryn Ardudwy, in the cradle of the rugged Rhinog mountains, here in NW Snowdonia.
Its always a pleasure watching your magnificent videos, and i sincerely hope your well, and can post more of your inspirational videos in 2022
Is there any chance you could visit the Outer Hebrides and post a few of your magical videos.
I walked around the entire island of Barra, in Sep 2019, and it was a magical place, and there were a few hills, not very high ones, but they were there, waiting to be photographed and videoed.
The Isle of Harris was pretty rugged and had some great mountains to climb, and your videos would be amazing,, really bring the landscape to life.
I can only imagine if you made a video of the Callanish standing stones, that would be pretty magical.
If you could pencil in a visit to the Outers, it would be much appreciated.
All the best and thank you for the hours of pleasure during 2021, watching these beautifully produced videos.
Thanks
Peter
Used to baulk at them.......wouldn’t be without them now, as you say....knee savers. Those opening scene views are utterly stunning as well. ATB 👍
Mountain_Del thanks Del - that was an awesome morning in Glencoe 👍 pathless ground and the poles were very welcome 🙏
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts & views :-) Thank you for taking the time to share *Utterly stunning film/footage
Thanks - always helps to add some decent B roll, save having to watch me drone on too much !!lol
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
Nice video Murray. I was reluctant to use poles myself when I first started walking in 2016, as I thought they were just for old people (although I am actually old myself but don’t want to admit it). I decided to get a pair anyway on the recommendation from a guide that I use on Skye, and I’ve never looked back since. I don’t use them all the time but find them really beneficial when carrying heavy loads uphill, or descending steep ground.
Thanks David. When I started going to the mountains they were deemed so uncool in fact I was lambasted many a time by friend for having them, but having had the knee operations , I thought I better try an protect them. Would miss them if I left the house without them now TBH and so useful for man uses in the hills :)
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
Hit the big five zero no so long ago and knees and everything else just dont have that spring anymore. But it had been coming... once came down the 'path of sludge' off An Tellach down into Dundonell and some old chap in his 70's I reckon ripped past me using poles. I was shattered and shot and even a wee bit ashamed. Thats was that. I bit the bullet and got some. Wow! A miracle ! What have i been missing. Am now a total convert... and possibly cool again :)
I like having the two extra legs (poles) for balance. They have saved my 65 year old butt more than once when I go stumbling around out on a hike.
Gary sent me, very happy to have discovered your channel. looking forward to seeing more of your excellent films.
AoToGo welcome 🙏 hope you enjoy some of the vlogs :) 👍
I was litterlly just thinking I need some poles, but what ones do I need and why? Checked my inbox, looks like your cosmic energy was already out there with all the answers, cheers dude.
Nick MG ah my well known telepathic signs worked again 😂👍 hope the vlog helped
thanks for watching
ATB.
Murray
I have always baulked at the idea of poles but now in my mid 50's the old knees take a bit of a pounding on the way down. My walking bud is an ex Royal Marine and he swears by them so maybe time to bite the bullet and invest in a pair.
As always thanks for the very informative vlog Atb Brian.
Good video Murray, yeah i love my poles they're like an extra set of legs on the descent . Your right about the handles , i did have a tumble a few years ago when using the straps of the poles and injured my upper arm..Took over a year to fully mend ..Cheers Stevie
Thank you Murray. I've recently bought poles as my new tent needs them but thought I'd better give them a go as walking aids too. After doing a bit of research, many of the recommendations are very regimented and just didn't suit me (trying to co-ordinate an alternate foot and arm swing I found nigh on impossible....it's like trying to pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time!). Consequently I've started doing just what suits me and now feel better using them. ATB, Chris
Chris J-B thanks Chris - absolutely agree , you see so many places stating they have to be used in a particular way - however everyone’s different and different way suit different people for sure 👍
Hope you have many happy hikes with the new poles 👍
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
I used to think poles were naff, wouldn't be without them now. So many uses, they even hold my tent up. 😄
I think I was ripped to pieces by mates when I first got them after my first knee op, but I mus admit I absolutely love the poles , would struggle without them TBH :)
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
@@ScotlandsMountains haha same, think they were seen for the older generation of hill walkers. Like Paramo gear. 😆
Me too but you and Murray have encouraged me to give them another go!
@@squinugie2091 worth it, I find they help protect your knees, particularly on descent.
@@WalkWithWallace Thanks. The wraps and tinned mackerel fillets also a great idea Robin!
Great vid. I have a little bit of rheumatism and the poles are an absolute must for me especially when descending.
Great video, thanks for the info on walking poles. I am having an op soon and these poles will help me hike long into the future hopefully.
Thanks for the informative video! Kind of you to make a topic of this after questions from your viewers 👍 I bought some 2nd hand Leki carbon titanium's for my hiking trip to the Assynt this spring, to try it out for the first time!
I got a cheap pair years ago in Austria ( I think I paid about £10 for them!) and I honestly think they’re the only reason my knee still works!
I love my walking poles, especially with a heavy load. My brother still laughs at me about them. I can’t get on with twist grip much prefer the conventional clamps, especially after a long muddy walk.
I first tried them in Chamonix, everybody seemed to have them and tbh I hated them first 2 days, then it just clicked and wouldn't be without them, probably has saved my knees, they feel better now than they did at 17. ATB A
absolutely - not the coolest of items , but definite knee savers :)
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
I swear by my poles. Im prone to a bit of knee trouble and wouldn't be without them. Bought cheap ones over the years and some lasted longer than others. But last year I splashed out and bought a pair of Leki Voyagers and I love them.
Other manufacturers are available 😁
Must admit, I'd be lost without them, reckon they have given my knee a few years longer on the hills at some point :) Will be buying a new set at some point so will look at the Voyagers during my hunt for new walking poles :)
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
Good stuff Murray.. forgot to tell them that if on steep ground in winter...... put them away and GET THE AXE out!
AlpinistG Gerry steep ground - winter 🥶 we can but dream 😂😂 however Wednesday’s vlog May involve steep ground and axes - and your good self 👍🏔🏔
Scotland's Mountains aah yes well if ever it happens we will be ready. See u soon👍
mountain guides in the alps use them and most over here now compact ones are great try alpkit great prices
Poles are great. I have a hazel stick which I cut and varnished in May 1981 and I've used it constantly for the past 40 years, backpacking over the alps and through scottish mountains. Used it to keep up a tarp in storms. Only had one because obviously it's size is fixed.
Good video but do you always walk that way with your poles instead of alternately?
“Get ones where you can buy spare parts”....reminds me of Triggers broom....
Security at Manchester Airport stole mine travelling to Geneva on route to Chamonix. No issues the previous 4 times. Just random/ moods I guess...
@Peter Rumsby I like to be off the 'plane and on my way.......!
Hi murray I have a pair of leki trail anti shock not the most expensive but suit me just fine Like you murray i had surgery on my knee in my twenties after tearing my cartilidge they took most of it away so i am nearly bone on bone So yes murray mine are a great help Thanks for that murray atvb chris
Christopher Smith i can sympathise - I reckon at some point I may have to call on the kayak to rest my knees ! Hopefully not for a long time though 🤞🤞
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
Interested was it mainly the long grip when you upgraded from your cheap ones you appreciated? I have a pair of Leki Eagles great but I keep considering a pair with those longer grips, same reason I don't tend to change the length just grip in a different place. Nice vid.
Hi Oliver - absolutely , the longer grip and the lighter weight. Its hard to explain as I always just thought poles ere pole!! however I must admit to loving these ones , although there are / were more expensive!
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
@@ScotlandsMountains Ye understand what you mean I'm gonna take the plunge soon looking at giving these a try, kind of our goto outdoor shop here in Melbourne. www.bogong.com.au/masters-eiger-calu-trekking-pole-pair.html Cheers Ollie.
Hi, I currently use Widows Movie Maker. Could you recommend a free download alternative
Hi Harry, that exactly what I started out with :) I then moved onto Powerdirector and have used that ever since , so Im afraid I cant offer any alternatives as I have not used any - sorry
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
@@ScotlandsMountains Much obliged Murry, keep up the good work
I use them just like you. Using them asymmetrically takes too much concentration and faffing about and makes you look like a snob. Thank you for never being pretentious!
I know trekking poles are all the rage days, but they're no substitute for an ice axe where one is needed. I live in Washington State (USA), and a young woman went missing on Vesper Peak in the Cascades a year and a half ago who hasn't been found. I'm 90% sure she slipped and fell on the steep snowy, icy ground south of the summit and slid over the edge. She was a very strong hiker, but she had no ice axe or crampons with her, only trekking poles and hiking boots. It was August, but there was still snow on the summit.
Carry an ice axe and learn to self arrest.
profd65 absolutely agree - axe essential ( as well as crampons ) all through the winter months (and knowledge of how and when to use )
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
Two poles below the snowline, then swap one for an ice axe above the snowline if there is a possibility of a slide.
Incidentally, I don't use the straps on the poles, but do use an old sling as a strap on the axe. I would rather be able to recover a dropped axe if the slip is particularly spectacular and still self arrest and accept it may swing around a smack me in the face.
@@ScotlandsMountains
Thanking you for putting out these videos, friend.
Here's a justification of trekking poles that popped into my head a few days ago: they can serve as makeshift crutches in the case of a leg or ankle injury. I've never tried hobbling around on trekking poles (I've never owned them), but it seems they might sometimes help the gimpy hiker escape the mountains when without them he'd need hauling out on a litter by mountain rescue.
i used to use them, but i have a nasty habbit of when i stop i forget to pick them up and don't realise until a mile or so later!! i have one left and i'm scared to take it out the house!!! lol
Greg the wild hippy and wifey Hall ah yes - been there done that a few times - a realisation I have left something ! Doh ! (Usually my camera though! 😂)
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
I like your rationale on how you grip the poles and the storing advice is good too, cheers
Did get caught out using twist lock poles; when you take them from a nice warm car onto a freezing mountain, the mechanism can get frozen and the poles would not stay locked, probably some condensation thing going on. Always used the clip fastener type after that experience.
I’m told that the cartilage in my knee is going bad and I am sad, I don’t want to give up hiking. Thankyou for this video, I’m so glad to learn how you use the poles. My husband is having a knee replacement in 4 weeks as well so this information is very well timed in our lives. Thankyou so very much
Hope you and your husband get on ok, knees can be pesky hings!!
ATB
Murray
I could never get on with them but having seen you and Robin/Kevin use them regularly I might give them another go. I would be interested in seeing a video on the trousers you wear. I really like the look of the orange/yellow pair you have.
Hi Murray, Would you ever consider Carbon Fibre Walking Poles?
Watching this from the top of Suilven! I'm 24 and never go without them as you say they have many uses and are life savers!
Fantastic - was up Stac ollaidh recently - got a wee weather window (think its been good last few days too :)
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
When I purchased my first set of walking poles I initially wanted them for the coming off the hill to take some weight off my joints. I quickly found out the benefits for uphill was just as important. I think of it as having a constant bannister on the hill. I'd highly recommend walking poles to anyone, with or without previous injuries. (My opinion of course)
Nice episode Murray :-)
Bought a pole in a charity shop about 20yr ago , still have it , although held together wi a couple of bits of gaffer tape ! Maybe time for a new one . They really take a lot of pressure off the knees on a long hike .
Glad you mentioned the danger of using the loops on uneven ground. I learned the hard way on a very wet cold Snowdonia trip 10 years ago when i slipped on a mossy slate and my hand was trapped in the loop resulting in me landing on the pole and trapping my hand between it and a rock resulting in a broken little finger. (It still points in a diff' direction to the others! ;-) I only use the loops now when on flat trail or road walking when they do give you extra purchase moving forward.
I've been using Vango Camino poles and find them pretty good, took them on the WHW and they have been up some munros. What I didn't realize was what you said about using the loops which could cause problems if an accident occurred. I will bear this in mind as up to now I've always used these loops but never thought of the danger. Thanks again.
Sometimes I use 2 different types. A singular lightweight carbon fibre for ascent and a sprung pole for descending if that makes sense. Both together if necessary.
Interesting vid as usual Murray.
Douglas Clark thanks Douglas - makes sense and a good idea - thanks for sharing 👍
ATB
Murray
Well its poles for me from now on, I found that coming down from Snowdon last year, my knees ached would poles help in this situation?Also the burner you use when camping I looked at one and blime they cost over a £100, what advantages if any do these have over conventional gas burners.Many thanks Ray.
Ray Briggs hi Ray - if used properly the poles are knee savers for sure 👍 I use the cheapest version of the jet boil (no inbuilt igniter) but it was still expensive . Before I used a standard stove and it was ok but needed a wind shield and took longer to bring the water to the boil . The jet boils are good bits of kit but you can use other types 👍
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
Many thanks Murray, I might take another look at the Jet boils.
I might have to get myself some, everyone seems to have them these days!
Downhill, long-distance, heavy backpack - these are scenarios for walking poles, even if your are not in situation of having knees left and the healthy one. :) Also poles are useful for protection against unfriendly dogs without leash. And to remove spider webs on your path through the forest. And to use them as drying line for your washed underwear and socks. Many uses. :)
3 Walking Poles ah perfect - the spiders 🕷 - good stuff . Not sure I’d be popular with hanging my undies out though 😊😂👍
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
Just wondering Murray have you ever done a vlog on how you built your gear room it looks great and may be of value to others, good advice this week both my knees are buggered too!
Hi Carl , a wee vog below on my gear room. My fried who is a joiner biuilt it though as I am hopeless at DIY!!
th-cam.com/video/_93sje7sXBU/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
What an opening shot, amazing
thanks :)
and thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
Hello Murray.
I'd have thought that at least one of your walking poles would have a threaded camera/ tripod mount!
I'd still be stuck up dumgoyne hill, were it not for my walking poles.
Atb😋
have thought about it ;)
Thanks for watching
ATB
Murray
That opening scene was something
Thank you and thanks for watching , much appreciated :)
ATB
Murray
best bit of kit
Got my first pair over 30 years ago in the Alps. They were very rare in the UK then and the usual cry was ‘you’ve forgotten your skis pal!’ Have been through many pairs since but current Black Diamond Trail are the best I’ve had. The long handles, flick lock closure and price are all great 👍 You nicely highlight all the advantages.
My womens Leki poles arrived in the post an hour ago so I'm researching how best to use them and I'm delighted to find you've already covered this one Murray 😃
I also noticed last week your son was using a pair when you went away in the van 👍
Very helpful tips, thank you for posting 🙏
Problem I have with them is they create little holes for frost to act on. The scars from path erosion on the hills seems to be far worse than when I started as a lad 50 years ago.