I have had two scopes to my left knee. The most recent this past April. Training was going great until this past Saturday. I won't bore you with the details, but let's just say I had a set back...

My question - is one trekking pole more trouble than it is worth? I have read much on the merits (and the cons) of two poles, but what about one? I will have my bow in the other hand. It would seem that even using just one would take some of the pressure off my "bad" knee.

Anybody have any experience in this department?

Nimrod,

I usually use just a singe trekking pole when hunting. Works great!

Ed T, got a brand you recommend? Or do you just wanna give me the one you're not using

I used a hiking staff when getting into rough vertical country. I've never used trecking poles, but find that one hiking staff makes a huge difference on the steep decents.

Mike.

I used one last year in Co. I had never had problems with my knees before. I had to borrow a friends set of Black Diamond poles and they made a world of difference. I used just one mainly but at times used them both. I have since bought a set of the Black Diamonds for myself for this years trip. Lightening my pack weight by about 15 lbs should help also.

Thanks guys.

One "expert" commented that poles take 10-12% of the weight off your knee. Of course, that is transfered to your upper body and you subsequently use more energy. With the shape that my knee is in, I think I'm willing to transfer what ever weight I can to my upper body. I've got to baby this thing if I'm going to continue our anual pilgrimige to the mountains for the next 30 years.

Time to start shopping for another piece of gear. When will it end....

I think poles help a ton while packing weight up hill. I started out using just one now I use two when I use them. Otherwise I have them strapped to my pack.

I think Black Diamond make the best ones with the flick lock system. Way better then the twist lock. And stay away from anti shock. They make a lot of noise.

I've had 5 knee surgeries in the last decade so I can certainly feel your pain.

I typically use one pole when packing a gun, unless it's really ugly steep then I'll use two.

I always use two poles when packing game and not packing a gun.

I do like the ones that you can adjust for height and I've used the Leki brand and liked them and have had them from Cabela's (blue in color) and have liked them.

Either way it's one of the things I won't leave camp without anymore.

Best of luck to ya!

Dober

Through injury, my left leg is weak. I purchased a pair of Black Diamond Spires. They work great. I collapse the lower leg extension, loop the straps and it's the perfect height for shooting sticks from the sitting position.

A single full length trecking pole then might be the best option.

I use a Kifaru Gun bearer so both my hands are free. I can then use two poles. Two poles really help me in steep country for going up hill and down. My knees aren't in the best shape, and either are my feet. Poles really help take the weight off. They do require more energy though, so it's a trade off. But in steep country, carrying heavy loads, I'm a big believer.

If you use a floorless tent or tarp for a shelter, you might be able to use trekking poles to replace your tent supports. If so, you've just shaved several ounces from your pack. Win-win.

What tuf and 222 rem said.
I use tyhe kifaru longhunter and 2 poles, makes a big difference. Then the poles get used in my kifaru para tipi or floorless golite tent when I get to base camp. If my day hunts are still hunting or not to taxing I dont use them from base camp each day. If I do use them and keep base camp set up some temporary sticks cut to aprox length work to hold the tent up while the poles are being used. I would never pack meat up or down hill without them. Good luck. Dean

I only use one trekking pole. My wife and I share a set basically. I find they get in the way when beating the brush even uphill with a heavy pack they are more trouble than they are worth in the brush. But once I break out of the brushline I unstrap them from my pack and we each use one while uphill. On flat or moderate hiking I don't use one as I only use it for the 3 points of contact on the hills. I don't see much value in 2 myself as I just switch the pole to the hand that needs that point of contact the most. I tried two before, but on the hills and climbing in the rocks I still like having that other hand free so I can him pull myself up by grabbing onto the rocks.

I like using just one pole for hunting. Keeps one hand free for quick glassing, eating, drinking etc on the move.

Black Diamonds are very good and my new recent favorites are the Gossemer Gear Litetrek 4's. The GG's are really spendy though, a bit over $150 a pair.

I do have a Komperdel 3 section Guide Staff thats like new. It doesn't get used so if you are interested you can have it for $30.
http://www.rei.com/REI-Outlet/product/749463

I also use 1 trekking pole when mountain hunting, wished I'd have started sooner in my hunting life. I bought a pair of the Leki Makalu Titanium poles and gave one to the wife, best hiking investment I ever made.

I need two poles as i tarp camp.
They are a great investment.

I never leave home w/o at least one trekking pole whenever I'm hunting big game or scouting for same.
If I'm back packing or carrying a heavy load, I carry two.
"Carrying" doesn't necessarily mean I'm using it. Often it/they are simply attached for those areas where I'll need it. But "areas where I'll need it can mean any steep climb and always a steep downhill. Snow and ice are other conditions where they are needed.
With a bad knee, I would not just carry at least one, I'd probably use two. E

Thanks for the offer Ed T, but you guys are making a pretty strong case for going with two. The ability to use them for the tarp is another advantage.

So if I'm going to go with two, what to do with my bow? I'm comfortable with the scabards/gunbearers for a rifle. But for some reason I just insist on having my bow in my hand.

I use a Granite Gear Flatbed and typically lash my tent and sleeping bag to the outside of it. Doesn't leave a lot of room for lashing a bow. I guess I could move the tent and bag into the load sling...

Anybody try the bow holster from Eberlestock? Looks like Kifaru discontinued their bow bearer.

Thanks again!

Why don't you strap the trekking pole to the side of your pack where it's easy to get too? I've never had the use for 2 poles but I always camp in a free standing tent, not a tarp.

I've done staff's, trekking poles, ski poles etc., over the years. Some years back I tried a cane as was amazed at what an outstanding hiking aid it is... I far and away prefer it over anything else I've used. My modest goal is to convert the entire hiking world to THE CANE!

Brad, you get an "A" for originality. E

Brad,
So, when are you going to show a pic of Dober using his walker?

Get an AT tent... only needs one trekking pole. And one pole is a great help. Just use it on the opposite side from your bad knee.

If you want to try it, visit the Boy Scout store. They sell a pair of decent trekking poles for $20.00. With shock absorption. By the way, if your shock absorption makes noise, take the pole apart and oil it.

Be very carefull about oiling a trekking pole. If it is a twist lock, you may never get it to lock again.

The Black Diamond Flicklocks are the most fool proof there is, although Leki is coming out with their Speedlock, an external locking pole.

Even though I usually only use one pole hunting, Like others have said, I often have a second on or in my pack for extra stability when carrying heavy loads of meat.

As far as Brad's cane, I'll have to wait until I'm as old as he is, oh wait, I guess I'm already older

After pretty much destroying 2 cheaper pair of trekking poles in 2 years, I stepped up the quality today (and price!!)

I boughht these, hope they work out http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/trekking-poles/contour-elliptic-shock

I am normally a fan of two poles but last weekend I thought I would give just one a try. Big mistake as I found myself getting jacked by a midget and I was left with none. The good news is that I was told I could order myself a new set when we got home because the first pair were staying with the midget. All five year olds need a set of Komperdell's.

Five year olds need a basic walking stick so they've got the opportunity to whack at stuff while they hike.


Cute photo BTW. You can tell he's really giving a good effort in that downed lodge pole.

Wife was scoped last Summer. I guess she's feelin' OK because she wants to do a 4-day slog on the Olympic Coast. Here I've got a bigass outrigger canoe where we can pack in a grand camp and sail and fish all over the place, have steaks every night, and she wants to hump in and walk for vacation. Eat dried [bleep] for several days. OK. We've got Ti Goat goat poles, very nice and light, twist lock can be ornery. Leki's, two twist locks per pole to malfunction, but also nice. But I still use my Ramer pushbutton poles from '85. Anybody remember those? Still going strong. I'm leaving on the self-arrest grips, which I think Black Diamond has taken over? Or maybe Life Link? I forget. But my point is that those things, reasonably padded w/ some spare clothes and duct tape, become very functional crutches. If wife blows out her knee, she can hobble out, rather than pay for an airlift.

Son and I hope to catch some surf perch.

If I'm really needing to cover some country I use two poles. I find them more helpful on steep downhills than the up hills. At least that's where it sms to help my knees the most. I have a pair of Leki's which have been through the ringer a few times, but they do work. However, I will be going with the external flip lock style next time.

PS- Don't let a horse step in one, it makes a bit harder to adjust...

I tried some Ti Goat poles last year. Both my brother and I had them. I got them because they were the lightest collapsible pole.

We each ended up breaking one pole. They are freakin' light, but don't hold up to much abuse. My bro and I aren't small by any means (I'm 6'1" 220 and my bro a little bigger) and with weight on our back, had to be careful not to put a ton of pressure on those little poles. I think the poles would be good for getting in shape, fast paced, lightweight hikes.....not for week long trips, bruital terrain, and heavy loads. I ended up ditching them at base camp on a trip down, then used a large stick the rest of the time when I had big loads.

My buddy had a single pole (with the "V" on top to hold a gun). That is what I am going with this year.

my $.02.

I, too, have a well used set of poles. Mine happen to be Leki Ti's. When I get around to buying another set, which will be before I finally wreck one of these Lekis, I'm going to ask Ed T for his opinion of the toughest, non shock absorbing models out there. They are on my "never leave home w/o at least one" list. E

E,

IMO, the black Diamond Flicklock poles are the toughest around.
Specifically the Contour Elliptic Carbon.

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/trekking-poles/contour-elliptic-carbon

I have been using and using hard the Gossamer Gear LiteTrek 4 poles and love them. They are the lightest adjustable poles available. I have had no problems with the twist lock and they are unbelivably light. I plan on using them this year for hunting, but will hang onto my Black Diamonds just in case.

The Litetreks might not be durable enough for packing heavy loads on meat in off trail, rugged terrain.

Cane... try it.

Brad, please don't take offense, but I think I'm going to give the BD elliptical a go. I'm 5'8", so I think I can get by with the compact version.

Then I got to thinking... If I have poles, I'd be a damn fool not to have a tarp tent. Been kicking around the Granite Gear White Lightning.

http://www.basegear.com/whitelightnin.html

What'ya guys think?

The White Lightning is a nice tarp, but you might also want to consider the GoLite ShangriLa 2.

Thanks, Ed. E

Just found this old thread. I am most curious about the cane idea. What are the benefits of a cane over trekking poles and walking staffs?

young chicks don't bother you so much at the trailhead.

Dober says that's why Brad uses them.

he used to take off to go hiking, be back at his house much, much later all sweaty and bedraggled, but with no pix of high country!

think Dober was worried that Brad's wife would put two and two together eventually so he gifted him that cane.....problem solved

if you notice Brad never has pix of himself using a pole in high country, just the cane.

lots of exuberant college girls that like to hike or use up energy in other ways in Brads AO

am pretty sure the cane has saved Brad's life, well at least his back and marriage.

how do you think he got the name flatlander?

I got it. I went walking today with a full backpack and forgot my trekking poles. I picked up a stick that what was something like a cane. After using the stick today, I realized the great advantage a cane can give you and that is a much greater ability to transfer weight to the cane which is nice going up and down steep hills. Trekking poles are definitely better for stabilizing and walking over fairly level ground. But I now want to go out and get a cane for moving through the hills.

Yep, after mountain goat hunting here last week in the snow and ice I'm swapping to a 90 cm ice axe instead of trekking poles. Similar concept to the cane as far as weight transfer and stability goes, but with more tools in one piece of equipment which is always a plus in my book. After a couple trekking poles break while carrying 100+ loads on mountain sides as very unopportune times I am ready to swap to something a little more substantial. Also the ability to self arrest in the snow is much easier when sliding down the snow fields with a load of camp and goat meat on your back with an ice axe vs. a trekking pole. And if I break an ice axe I have better fish to fry.

So the 90 cm ice axe is on Alaska Lanche's wish list to santa this year.

That makes sense. Not much use for ice axes in these parts though.