This essential piece of hiking gear goes by various names including hiking poles, walking sticks, trekking poles, walking poles to name a few. Have you ever been on an outdoor hike and casually wandered into the woods and picked up a stick where you then used as a walking stick? Most of us have and never really thought about it, but we are candidates for a hiking pole.
Why you need this piece of hiking gear?
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Like all hiking gear the purpose of to improve your safety or comfort. In the case of a hiking pole it does both
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Hiking poles improve your balance when crossing streams and walking on rough terrain and help prevent you from falling
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Hiking poles reduce the weight and relieve the stress hiking places on your knees, ankles and your back. In particular, when hiking down a steep hill there is a lot of stress placed on your knees and hiking poles help take off this pressure
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Hiking poles assist in pacing when climbing up or down a steep hill.
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They boost your confidence when on a hiking trails
How to use hiking poles?
Most hikers do not use the hiking poles correctly and therefore don’t always receive the advantages above. This piece of hiking gear has the look of ski poles and is thin and light weight so they don’t add weight to your hiking. First, always use two hiking poles for the best benefits, many hikers chose to only use one pole.
The wrist strap loop at the top should be snug around your hand with your thumb on top of the hiking pole. The hiking pole can telescopic to different lengths. When on level ground you should be able to stretch out your arms straight. When climbing a hills shorten the hiking pole and when descending lengthen the hiking poles. Many types of hiking poles also feature anti-shock springs to lessen impact with the ground.
When walking on the hiking trails remove the pole tip cap, it should only be used when in towns. If using this piece of hiking gear be careful around other walkers. Watch you do no hit their feet or swing the poles around and hit them.
A fun option is the traditional walking stick, see Walking Canes and Sticks
Whether you call them hiking poles, walking sticks or trekking poles this piece of hiking gear can greatly enhance your comfort and safety on your need walk.
Komperdell Trekking Poles – Anti-Shock, Pair
Price: $69.95
CLOSEOUTS . Anti-shock trekking poles from Komperdell of Austria give you the power of endurance in the palm of your hand. Lightweight, adjustable poles promote posture while carrying a pack and minimize swollen fingers by increasing circulation. Anti-shock Alloy shaft with shock absorber Steel tip Cork grip and handle Nylon wrist straps Adjustable 110-145 cm Collapsed: 68cm Length: 110-145cm Weight: 1 lb. 7 oz. pr. Sold as pair CLOSEOUTS . Austria.
Brand: Komperdell
Originally posted 2009-08-28 11:50:59.
Filed under Hiking gear by on Jan 11th, 2010. Comment. 
Experience a more active vacation together, by taking a family walking holiday. You can start with a walking holiday close to home in a National, state or Provincial Park which provides an inexpensive outdoor activity that is fun for everyone. Make it even more exciting, educational too, by vacationing in a foreign country or a different part of your own country. A walking holiday can easily be incorporated into your itinerary.
When taking a family walking holiday the following five tips can increase your enjoyment:
Tip 1 – Have the kids help with the planning
The whole family should discuss the choices for the walking holiday destination and hiking options. Older children can also help with a small part of the research. You may decide to purchase family walking holidays from a travel company so let everyone look at the brochures. By involving your kids in the planning their enjoyment will increase.
Create a hiking packing list including a first aid kit, sunscreen, sun hats, etc. Each child should have their own packsack as you will give them a few light items to carry during the walk. If taking young children dress them in bright colors so they can easily be seen along the hiking trail.
Tip 2 – The Distances
This will depend on the age the children, kids look at things on a smaller scale. When on a walking holiday with your family travel shorter distances and at a slower pace and progressing as they get more hiking experience. At first take it easy and do not push the kids too hard, let them enjoy the experience and appreciate what they have accomplished. You may even include backpacking trips as the kids get older and more experienced.
Tip 3 – Your Breaks
When family hiking take more frequent breaks of up to 15 minutes every hour. At break time enjoy a snack, observe the magnificent scenery or take a close look at nearby plants and natural wonders. Bring lots of snacks including energy bars, trail mix, chocolate bars, fruits and a drink. A picnic lunch can also be a fun experience for kids.
Tip 4 – Hike Safe
Take care when family hiking when climbing over rocks, walking along a slippery trail or when crossing a stream. Teach your kids to identify animals, poison ivy, mushrooms, and other potential dangers. Make sure your kids understand what to do if they get lost and give them a whistle for emergencies.
Tip 5 – Teach your kids
Family walking holidays are a great opportunity to teach your kids. Take a nature guide and have your kids identify the trees, birds, animals they are likely to encounter. You can even play some trail games for even more fun. Show them the blazes so they can even lead at times. And remember to teach your kids trail etiquette such as carrying out their own garbage.
Take the time during your family walking holiday to slow down and enjoy the great outdoors and your experience together.
Filed under Walking Holidays by on Jan 12th, 2010. 1 Comment.
The choice of hiking trails is an important consideration in getting the most enjoyment from your walking holiday. Are lakes, waterfalls, mountains, wildlife, wilderness, a foreign destination or gentle hiking trails what appeals to you?
First, is your walking holiday going to be on hiking trails close to where you live. If so, this should be easy to research by just checking the website of the local hiking or trail association. Also ask your friends about their experiences.
Who are you hiking with? If on a family walking holidays the hiking trails may need to be shorter with gentler terrain. If choosing the best hiking for a group of experienced friends they may be expecting a challenging hiking trail so ask them about their interests.
If planning your own walking holiday further from home ask friends, family or if you belong to a hiking club ask the other members about their favorite hiking trails. Because they enjoyed the hiking trail doesn’t mean it is suitable for you so ask about the distances walked, type of terrain, details about getting to the trailhead and what made this hiking trail so appealing.
Once you have narrowed down the destination check hiking trail guidebooks and the internet for more detailed information. Check the hiking seasons, for example, many trails in the Canadian Rockies don’t open until late June each year. If hiking in a location such as Auyuittuq National Park in the Nunavut, Canada or Milford Sound in New Zealand, not only are the seasons a consideration but transportation getting there may be very limited. An excellent guide is Joy Of Hiking: Hiking The Trailmaster Way
If choosing a hiking trail such as the famous West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island there are limits to the number of hikers at any time to protect the environment and you need to apply for a permit well in advance. There may also be fees associated with hiking in most state, provincial or National Parks.
Once you arrive in the destination the local tourist office can provide a wealth of information. Offices in destinations such as the English Lake District, Zermatt in Switzerland, Banff in the Canadian Rockies deal mostly with hikers and can provide sound advice about hiking trail conditions and any hazards. For example in Banff the location of recent bear sightings are posted.
If you plan to hike with a walking holidays company check their brochure listing the destinations offered and see what appeals to your considering the style of hiking offered. Some companies such as HF Holidays offer rotating itineraries for returning walkers along with three levels of hiking in each destination.
Learn how if there is signage along the hiking trail and what the blazes mean. In Swiss Alps for instance there are three types of blazes each indicating a different level of difficulty.
Choosing the best hiking trails so that you are talking about your walking holiday for years is important. If planned right everyone will be asking you about next years hiking now!
Hiking the Triple Crown : Appalachian Trail – Pacific Crest Trail – Continental Divide Trail – How to Hike America’s Longest Trails
Price: $0
Pages: 223, Edition: illustrated edition, Paperback, Mountaineers Books
The Hiking Companion
Price: $6.88
Drawing from his personal experience hiking major trails throughout North America, Robbins offers an overview of the hiking experience in various terrains. Illustrations.
Brand: Storey Books
Originally posted 2009-08-21 12:17:59.
Filed under Hiking Trails by on Jan 17th, 2010. Comment.
Known by different names including walking holidays in England, trekking in New Zealand and hiking in Canada or the U.S. this is the ultimate green vacation. A holiday of this type is where walking is the primary reason of the trip.
Many destinations are known for their excellent walking trails including south island of New Zealand, the Canadian Rockies, Appalachians in the U.S., Lake District in England, Swiss Alps, Patagonia in Argentina, Nepal base camp and many others.
No less popular are the many National, state and provincial parks closer to home for those people wishing to reduce carbon emissions, see their own country. This is a less costly option.
You may decide to use a tour company which offers walking holidays, each with its own style and requiring different levels of fitness. Different levels suitable for all ages including families from beginner to expert, from easy walking to hilltop scrambling are available.
Many of the tour operators offer different levels with many departures for families only. If you are single or your partner is not interested in a walking holiday most tour operators have single share programs to reduce costs and the very nature of a walking holiday encourages meeting like minded people
HF Holidays of England has been in business for over 100 years and has its own country homes as a base; Peregrine is based in Australia yet offers walking holidays worldwide and GAP includes more of an adventure travel style and is well known for its South America program.
You may also decide to purchase maps and guide books and along with information on the internet and the assistance of your travel agent create your own walking holiday. For further information see Joy Of Hiking: Hiking The Trailmaster Way
Walking holidays appeal to the person looking for a more active holiday.
Originally posted 2009-08-06 12:15:59.
Filed under Walking Holidays by on Jan 23rd, 2010. Comment.
For those hikers who are backpacking you have one accommodation option – camping. For a walking holiday your choice of accommodation changes the character of your trip and is not just a place to rest your head at night. The choices available also depend a lot on your destination.
When on a hiking or walking holiday you really have five options:
Camping – a natural fit with a walking holiday to further enjoy the great outdoor. It is inexpensive; you get to try your hand at cooking over the fire or camp stoves. Either go car camping with daily hikes or take your gear with you (back packing).
Rentals – consider renting a cabin or vacation home. This creates a really close group experience, you can cook you own meals over a stove to keep prices low and if you get really bad weather you have a warm and dry place to talk and relax. This is a great option if traveling on your walking holiday with a group of hikers, large or small.
Bed and Breakfasts – you get to stay in accommodation typical of the area, talk to local people and have a hearty breakfast each morning before you set off.
and Great Lodges of the Canadian Rockies
can help you with your planning.When returning to our hotel during a walking holiday in the Griendelwald area of Switzerland we went out on our patio for a drink a snack prior to dinner. Not surprisingly all the other patio’s were also occupied and we met other hikers from Texas and England.
On your next walking holiday consider carefully your accommodation options, it will change the character of your trip.
Filed under Walking Holidays by on Jan 26th, 2010. Comment.
