| Most people who take hiking seriously know that | | | | straps. They are thin and light-weight, which means |
| some sort of aid like a hiking pole is not only helpful, | | | | they don't add any additional weight to your trek. |
| it should be required. Why? Because something like | | | | You don't want to burn energy on lugging something |
| that can save your life when you're hiking in the | | | | heavy up a mountain. They also tend to be strong. |
| backcountry, making your way over rough and rocky | | | | They're retractable, which means you can shrink |
| terrain, fording deep rivers, or fighting off critters. But | | | | them down to something that fits in a bag, or you |
| even if you go hiking in relatively sedate and safe | | | | can extend them to something that is almost as tall |
| areas, a hiking stick is good for other things. The | | | | as you are! |
| most important is that it relieves the burden on your | | | | But despite the benefits of a trekking pole, it might |
| back, your calves, your ankles, and your knees. For | | | | not be the best answer to your problem. For one |
| many people, that is absolutely critical. Especially if | | | | thing, they do cause ecological damage. That's |
| they have weakened muscle strength, if they're not | | | | because the bottoms are sharp points, and they dig |
| in the best shape, or they have some sort of nerve | | | | into the ground, putting holes in the ground and in |
| damage. | | | | vegetation and disturbing the natural ecology. |
| But if you are going to purchase a hiking stick, you | | | | Another problem is that they are not heavy enough |
| might be wondering what's the best. A brief Internet | | | | to be used in self-defense. It is not always likely that |
| search reveals that there are a lot of options, a lot | | | | you'll be on the wrong side of a wild animal, but it |
| of discussions, and a lot of points to consider. The | | | | could happen, and if it does, you must be prepared |
| first thing you need to do is understand the | | | | to defend yourself and other people in your party. A |
| difference between a trekking pole and a walking | | | | large, heavy stick made from thick, strong wood is |
| stick. Trekking poles look a lot like ski poles, because | | | | always a better weapon that a light-weight aluminum |
| that's basically what they are. They have the baskets | | | | pole. |
| at the bottom, rubber padded handles, and wrist | | | | |