Walking Poles

Terminology

Lots of people are now using walking poles. Some people call them 'trekking poles' and some call them 'hiking poles'. That's fine. What isn't fine is 'sticks'. Walking sticks are different.

Oh, and while I'm on my high horse that thing you use when walking in the snow or climbing a frozen waterfall is called an ice axe and not an ice pick. An ice pick is for breaking up ice for a drink and it was also the name of the metalcore band that released 'Onward To Victory', the song used by former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski as his entrance music for fights. [Can we get back to the poles please Pete! - Ed]

Oh yes. Alright.

Reasons for using poles

They can significantly reduce the stress on your knees and your back.

They help to improve your body posture, breathing and balance by encouraging you to walk in a more upright way. 

They can make crossing streams or scree safer.

Don't use them all the time though

Poles can be a hindrance in situations where you may need to use your hands. For example when scrambling or if you think you may need to start using an ice axe.

Jabbing the points into the ground does do quite a bit of damage and increases path erosion.

You need to practise walking without poles so that you don't become dependent on them for your balance.

"If you use poles all of the time you’ll lose the ability to balance naturally as you step up, walk over uneven ground or boulder hop. So if you are only taking a short walk with a light pack then leave the poles behind or save them for the steep descents. Youngsters need to develop this skill, called proprioception, before they walk any distance using poles." - BMC

Safety of others

You can hurt someone quite badly if you jab them with a walking pole. So please manage the sharp ends carefully. If you aren't using the poles, either attach them firmly to your rucksack, ideally with the points covered or hold them with the points facing down.

Don't swing them about behind you and be very careful getting into and out of vehicles. Experiment with different ways of securing them to your pack at home to find the most secure. If you are using loops on your rucksack designed for an ice axe try putting a couple of twists into the loop before inserting the pole.

How to use poles

When walking on flat ground, you should adjust the poles so that when the bottom of the pole is in contact with the ground your arm makes a right angle at the elbow when you grip the pole. If you are going uphill it is better if the poles are a bit shorter and it is best to make them a bit longer if you are walking downhill. However, you don't want to be faffing about altering your poles all the time. So just stick with the flat ground setting, unless you are facing a sustained uphill or downhill section.

Most poles come with a rubber bung on the end or an option to change between carbide and rubber tips. The bung or the rubber tip is better on hard ground like tarmac. Otherwise I'd recommend going with the carbide tip.

Remember that the pole is there to help you balance. "Continue to use your legs and feet to balance without becoming over-reliant on the poles. They are an additional aid, not a substitute to sound foot placements – your legs are stronger than your arms!" - UK Hillwalking

Straps

With the strap sticking out at right angles, push your hand up through the loop and grab the pole and both sides of the loop. This way, you can push down on the loop with your wrist and hand without having to tightly clutch the pole all the time.

On difficult ground it is best to take your wrists out of the loops so that you can easily jettison the poles if you trip. Otherwise as you fall, you are attached to the poles and they may get trapped between your legs or underneath you. Thus destabilizing you even further.

Walking on flat ground

Plant the right pole in the ground just to the right of your right foot as you move your left leg forward. Then repeat with the left pole as you move your right foot. This way the pole will be angled backwards all the time and you will be using your upper body to propel you forwards. Sometimes you might come to something on the ground like a big puddle or rock and it's easier to plant both poles in front of you and swing through but this isn't generally very efficient because you aren't using the poles to push you forward.

Walking uphill

Consider making the poles a bit shorter but basically use the same technique as for walking on the flat. However, sometimes you might put a pole down in front of you if there is a step up and use it as a sort of handrail. Still stick to moving the right pole when you move your left leg and vice versa.

Walking downhill

Consider making the poles a bit longer. Reach forward and plant the right pole in front of and below you. Now move your left foot forward. Reach forward and plant the left pole in front of and below you. Now move your right foot forward. Not only does the pole act as a bit of a break and a support but the act of planting the pole makes you lean forward a bit and this makes you better balanced when facing downhill.

Most people lean back a bit on a steep slope because it is intimidating and consequently if they fall, they usually fall backwards. By leaning forward and downhill a bit you are better balanced and less likely to fall backwards. People rarely fall forwards down a slope but the pole is there to support you if you do.

One pole or two?

Two poles are best as you are then well balanced. However, I frequently do use one if I am navigating and need one hand free to hold the map.

Is it wrong to not follow the above advice?

Not really. This is just supposed to be the most efficient way of doing it. Personally, I tend to only use poles when going downhill or when carrying a heavy pack and I have a bit of a tendency to plant the poles in the ground every other pace. Like most things about walking there are no rules. That's the fun of it.