Bushwalk Australia

Hi all ,just one final question hopefully before we head of next week. Do we really need walking poles on the OT? Our group has done a reasonable amount of hiking prep, here in SA and none of us use poles. Any thoughts most helpful .

There are a few sections where the track is made up of tree roots, rock etc and they could be helpful for balance but personally I wouldn't bother taking them if I was to do that track again.

No they are not essential. Don't buy them just for this walk.
If you want to get into using poles( a whole different discussion)then go for it.
I think and have had many arguments with a walking partner ( who uses two poles on all walks) that this one of the few multi day walks in Tassie where you can use two poles effectively.

Disclaimer - I mainly use one pole- a walking staff but on occasion use two poles

Roger

The boards and chicken wires on the OLT have a habit of trapping pole tips. Just need to be mindful of their placement or it's possible to bend or snap the pole. Otherwise I like having one pole for balance on rough grounds.

I find one pole handy on rock scree and for crossing creeks etc.

On boardwalks they are probably unnecessary, so I have never got mine stuck.

But whatever floats your boat,they are an advantage.

FF

Madfish wrote:Our group has done a reasonable amount of hiking prep, here in SA and none of us use poles.

If you are not already using poles, don't get conned into taking some for the OT. Unnecessary.

I use poles and would take them on the OT, but that is a different discussion.

i'll take one pole on any overnight walk, especially one that length, even for a well maintained track

Two poles on the OT for me. Last time and definitely again next time.

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If you don't already use them, don't bother for the OT.

north-north-west wrote:If you don't already use them, don't bother for the OT.

Subject to one's desire for experimentation. But yes, only if the OP wants to.

Thanks to you all re poles, we will go wth the general consensus and not take them, just one of those things that we were just not 100 % sure about prior to the post. Cheers

Strider wrote:Two poles on the OT for me. Last time and definitely again next time.

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Me too - I wouldn't go on any walk without my poles.

Personally, poles are love, poles are life.

But if you don't use them properly they make the walk harder and they can get in the way on duckboard.

They are, however, a monumental pain in scrub.

north-north-west wrote:They are, however, a monumental pain in scrub.

Thats why you get foldable models and pack them away.


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There really isn't enough boardwalk on the OT to justify not taking poles. It's no hassle to carry them for a few minutes when not required, but they are a definite advantage just about everywhere else along the track. When I walked the track about 6 weeks ago I didn't see many people without poles - perhaps they all purchased under the impression they were essential? Either way I doubt many would have regretted taking them.

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north-north-west wrote:They are, however, a monumental pain in scrub.

Best scrub-pole is 3-4 cm thick and really hard wood. It's a great all-rounder. You can balance with it, bash away branches and vines, make a mud-bridge.

and when the scrub gets really bad you can use it like a short stepping stone.