Take a Hiking Pole on Your Next Hike

It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winterOlympics. You watch a ski racer zoom down the slope manoeuvringthrough the ski gates. However, you notice that something ismissing. The skier has on skis, boots, and a giant slalom skintight racing suit. You realize what's missing when their armsflail about causing them to lose their balance on a patch ofice. They are missing their ski poles.

It is the cross country skiing competition of the winterOlympics. You cheer from the crowd as the skiers fly down thetrail. Each skier pushes hard with their ski poles. However,one skier is left far behind the pack because he does not haveany ski poles. His graceful cross country rhythm has beeninterrupted due to a lack of balance.

In both cases, the skiers lost the race because they weremissing their ski poles. Ski poles are vital because they helpmaintain balance, provide support, and relieve some of thepressure off your body. If the use of a ski pole is so crucial,then why is it that many hikers do not use a hiking pole duringtheir hikes?

You might not think of a hiking or trekking pole as a necessityuntil you compare hiking to cross country skiing. In hiking youtraverse across a terrain of varying degrees and obstacles. There is constant stress and strain on your muscles and jointsas you navigate through rocks, sandy areas, and elevatedterrain. Your knees and lower back are constantly adjusting tothe pressure placed on them. This can lead to soreness andpain. This is comparable to the demands of cross country skiing.

Hiking pain can be reduced by investing in a hiking or trekkingpole. Hiking poles have a wide range of benefits including: improved balance, endurance, and ward off knee injuries. Hikingpoles can enable you to successfully cross streams and workthrough steeper terrain. A mental side effect is that they canboost your confidence allowing you tackle the hiking trail withvigor.

There are different types of hiking and trekking polesavailable. There are long wooden poles, shorter aluminum poles,snow poles, and ice axes. Want to beef up your regular hikingpole? Hiking poles have various accessories to choose fromincluding: hand grips, shock absorbers, and camera mounts. Ifyou are going on a winter hike you can add a basket to yourpole. Another important aspect of your hiking pole is its tip. The common tip is made of carbide. However, rubber tips arealso available. Each tip has pros and cons which should beconsidered when purchasing a pole. Consult a hikingprofessional to assess which pole is best for you.

If you want more stability and less stress on your body considerinvesting in a hiking or trekking pole. The ability to navigatethrough difficult terrain will become a reality. Hiking polescan cost money, but they are worth every penny.

Monica Marty is a hiking fan and the webmaster of http://hikingtrailfinder.com/ where you will find a directory and information on Hiking