walking pole failure

[ULWalkingPhil]

Been doing some reading in regards to the tips on the Leki poles. My Leki Summit AS pole is regarded as the superstrong range of poles, It's one of the strongest if not the strongest pole that Leki make. I read online that it can withstand forces of 140kg. I would think the pole tips should be fine in holding up a shelter.

Scared me a bit, what I read on MLD website in regards to using Leki poles for his shelters.

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[Wolfix]

I use Pacerpole aluminium and the strap on those is just for retention as the handle is load bearing and ergonomic. I have had grief with the twist lock at the end of a hot day but temperature can help; if its hot weather I can put them in water or just wrap my wet Buff around the join to ease it up. I don't like flick lock systems as I find them difficult to release when adequately tensioned. I haven't tried the Z-Poles from BD and having used the Pacerpole now I am spoiled for standard handles. If there was a similar type with the same handle as PP I would buy them.

[Lizzy]

Another BD flick lock user here. Have had it for ages and occasionally I need to tightenen the screw or it slips after a bit. Unfortunately I bent one in Tassie when I slipped on duckboards and dislocated my shoulder Must look into a new set.
My friend had a new one from kathmandu that was twist lock and was rubbish from day 1....

[stepbystep]

I find them counter-intuitive, when moving through a landscape natural handholds feel safer and, well, more natural, but if you find the need to use these things please pick up the bits as they fall off.

I removed 1.5 poles from the Western Arthurs including a handle and track workers I have worked with tell me they find hundreds of the rubber thingies off the bottom from cracks in rocks etc and have also commented that they do significant damage to tracks in general.

Just another failure that should be noted.

[Strider]

I find them counter-intuitive, when moving through a landscape natural handholds feel safer and, well, more natural, but if you find the need to use these things please pick up the bits as they fall off.

I removed 1.5 poles from the Western Arthurs including a handle and track workers I have worked with tell me they find hundreds of the rubber thingies off the bottom from cracks in rocks etc and have also commented that they do significant damage to tracks in general.

Just another failure that should be noted.

Try finding natural handholds in an open landscape.

As for the rubber things, anyone using them anywhere other than paved surfaces really doesn't understand why poles have pointy tips!

[ILUVSWTAS]

Not to mention ignorant *&^%$#@! who stab them into cushion plants as they walk.

[Strider]

Not to mention ignorant *&^%$#@! who stab them into cushion plants as they walk.

If you think that's bad, I've heard of people digging holes under cushion plants to cool store their scotch fillets while they're out fishing!

[ILUVSWTAS]

Not to mention ignorant *&^%$#@! who stab them into cushion plants as they walk.

If you think that's bad, I've heard of people digging holes under cushion plants to cool store their scotch fillets while they're out fishing!

got any names or numbers?? I happen to know a few hard pipe hitting mo-fo's that could sort that *&%$#! out for you....

[north-north-west]

[That makes sense, The strap alleviates the need to grip the pole so tightly. This, because the handle is a straight extension of the pole. You have to either grip it, or use the strap to support the weight.

Another BD flick-lock fan. I almost always have my weight bearing on the strap.
Having tendonitis, I can't spend a whole day gripping a pole handle. Even an hour causes problems. But the strap makes that irrelevant. Fortunately.

[stepbystep]

I find them counter-intuitive, when moving through a landscape natural handholds feel safer and, well, more natural, but if you find the need to use these things please pick up the bits as they fall off.

I removed 1.5 poles from the Western Arthurs including a handle and track workers I have worked with tell me they find hundreds of the rubber thingies off the bottom from cracks in rocks etc and have also commented that they do significant damage to tracks in general.

Just another failure that should be noted.

Try finding natural handholds in an open landscape.

As for the rubber things, anyone using them anywhere other than paved surfaces really doesn't understand why poles have pointy tips!

Tassie, open landscape, interesting walk, lol.

Unfortunately many that start walking buy poles as a matter of course. I've watched them struggle along for no good reason and they leave damage to the tracks and bits as they go. Fact.

[Lindsay]

BD spire elliptic fan here. The flicklocks have never showed any sign of failing and after several years of use I have only snapped one pole, and bent another. On both occasions they took a really excessive strain and saved me from what could have been very nasty falls.

[Penguin]

Unfortunately many that start walking buy poles as a matter of course. I've watched them struggle along for no good reason and they leave damage to the tracks and bits as they go. Fact.

It is often about what people are advised to do and with experience they find what works for them. Unfortunately for some of us, no poles, no walking. Fact. Hopefully we learn to use the poles wisely and minimise the damage. That is why I like the Zpoles, I can stow them easily when not needed.

Also, those experienced in using poles can help others not be cavalier in their use. Just as you should be careful where you put your feet off track. How many bits of pack covers, waterproof trousers, muesli bar wrappers and assorted detritus have you found along the track. More often than not from novice walkers. Let em get out there and educate them.

Now back to sitting at a desk.

P

[ULWalkingPhil]

I always use rubber plugs over my pole ends to minimize damage. Most of the time I choose not to take poles with me, but now when tent hiking my shelters rely on poles.

I had a phase where I always carried poles, including climbing up mountains, I found they get in the way and ended up carrying them in my pack.

The occasion that they did come in very handy is when I did the Coastal walk at the royal national park back in the days I was carrying a Monster on my back, that was only a year or two ago. those poles kept me on my feet, if it was not for those poles, I don't think I would have gotten far.

Why is it when I plan to go hiking it pisses down raining and I have to cancel. My last two attempts have ended this way. Where getting some major weather up here, floods everywhere and more to come. Im stuck in my house, cant go anywhere.

[Strider]

It is often about what people are advised to do and with experience they find what works for them.

I bought one (cheap) pole to test its effectiveness in remedying a dodgy knee. I liked it, so I splashed out on a pair of BD Contour Elliptics. Looking at how I walk now, I actually prefer to walk with one pole but definitely appreciate having two when I really need them (STEEP climbs). I tend to now carry one pole on the pack, and use the other.

[stepbystep]

It is often about what people are advised to do and with experience they find what works for them. Unfortunately for some of us, no poles, no walking. Fact.

Fair enough too! If(when) my knees go I'll probably resort to them as well...

I guess what I was getting at is that newbies are probably advised by retailers that they are necessary, when in reality for most they are not. Just another way to make a dollar really and punters get sucked in and the more people using them, unfortunately the more damage is caused. None of us want to do any damage but unfortunately it's unavoidable, we just do what we can to keep it to a minimum, don't we?

I'm sure I accidentally drop stuff from time to time too, I know I've left a tent peg up near Diamond Peak somewhere, anyone?

[Strider]

I'm sure I accidentally drop stuff from time to time too

Accidental dropages I can handle. But what really gets on my goat is broken glass - I must have picked up about 6 stubbies and two wine bottles off South Wellington Track the other day

[sthughes]

What is all the damage that is being talked about? I really haven't seen any significant damage from them. Pics?

[Strider]

What is all the damage that is being talked about? I really haven't seen any significant damage from them. Pics?

Scratches on rocks, little holes alongside tracks, etc.

In all honesty, tracks are there to confine impact. So I see no issue provided it doesn't result in rapid track degradation or erosion.

[stepbystep]

What is all the damage that is being talked about? I really haven't seen any significant damage from them. Pics?

Damage to stonework, increasing and encouraging erosion, scratching on stonework. Not something I've noticed particularly but the trackies I've spoken too have complained about this. The rubber tips get ripped off in the craks in stonework and the metal tips chip at these cracks.

Also environmental damage to vegetation and soils, you are effectively doubling your impact on the environment, and often off the side of the tracks as opposed to confining it to the tracks.

[sthughes]

So basically inconsequential compared to boots.

[Nuts]

I'm sure I accidentally drop stuff from time to time too, I know I've left a tent peg up near Diamond Peak somewhere, anyone?

Detector??

We use (offer) cheap poles for tours, there is a bit of an art to keeping them working properly, i suspect many people would just give up on them (the twist lock/cheap stuff) quickly but they are adequate, some (still in use) have likely done the OLT & side walks 30/40 times. They usually die from bent lower sections rather than worn adjusters.

You do notice stabs and scratches. I'm not sure whether it is significant given that in lots of places people also use cushion plants for 'stepping stones'............... Iv'e found a few tips, they do help with rock scratches but yer, do pop off. I doubt any tracky has found 'hundreds'. It helps to buy the tips undersize and pound them on. They grip well enough, adjust the weight they bare according to placement.

Personally I use them whenever possible. I left one a Junction Creek which I thought cunning until morraine K.. I paid for that for 3/4 days. tbh i wish poles were more popular 20yrs ago, I might have taken more notice.

Just to add (for the OP) that these: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/komper ... essed=true ... are good if used mainly for a shelter. Komperdell are twist lock but have a good positive click that avoids over tightening. They have a large donger (&camera screw) top that is handy for shelter apex, monopod (&possum pushing)

[ILUVSWTAS]

As SBS has said in an an earlier post, it's the broken in half poles you find along the way that give me the *&^%$#@!. Do people just dump them when they break? Or do they not notice....
Opps now where did that other half of my pole get too...... Oh well nevermind.

[Nuts]

well, he didn't say 'this gives SWT the *&^%$#@!'... but yes, there are 'those' ones around.. its amazing how much stuff is lost, forgotten or just Dumped..
(Ironic perhaps, iv'e been lucky enough but i lost my spot beacon )

[ILUVSWTAS]

i lost my spot beacon )

Hmmm where abouts? I wouldnt mind one of them to replace my PLB.

[Nuts]

(abt 250k's n/e of Kalgoorlie? )

[ILUVSWTAS]

Hmm might be cheaper for me to buy one then?

[stepbystep]

well, he didn't say 'this gives SWT the *&^%$#@!'...

No only commenting on what gives me the *&^%$#@!

So basically inconsequential compared to boots.

Keep telling yourself that

[north-north-west]

So basically inconsequential compared to boots.

Ummmm, no. You can (carefully) tread on a cushion plaint without damaging it. A pole tip will puncture it and that's death.
I keep thinking how well they'd spread phytophthera, too.

[Nuts]

Perhaps if your 50kg A break along one boot edge would kill (a substantial part of) them quicker i'd say. I just can't watch people stand on them without saying something, they are a mess around so many popular tracks and 'campsites'.





C'mon Feds!!

[ILUVSWTAS]

Noooo go Muzza!! Hasn't the Fed won enough already?

Some Cushion plants are firmer than others. I dislike standing on them too, but in some places they are so common it is almost impossible not to. Oh and i'm a little bit over 50kg.