trekking poles

[Reynolds, Laurie]

I have one poles-related suggestion.  If you are going to bring them, and if
you're travelling by air to get to your starting point, remember that you
can't carry the poles on the plane because of post 9-11 security.  On my
walks, I have bought sturdy tubes in a package store and checked the tube
with the poles inside as checked luggage.  Upon arrival, I then used the
tubes to stuff in some clothes to send ahead to my final destination so
there would be some clean (admittedly wrinkled) clothing waiting for me.
And then when I'm done I've got the tubes to pack up the poles for the
return trip on the plane.
Buen camino, Laurie

-----Original Message-----
From: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage [mailto:GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU] On Behalf
Of Robert Spenger
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 1:35 PM
To: GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
Subject: Re: trekking poles


My poles have spikes, but I bought inexpensive rubber caps that fit over the
spikes. It was easy enough to take them on or off when the surface changed.
The only problem was the loss of one of the tips on one trip. For the next
trip, I carried a couple of spare tips, but didn't need them. I had
backpacked for years in the mountains with never a thought of carrying any
kind of a walking stick other than an ice axe when there was snow, but I was
75 when I started this crazy camino business and I found walking sticks to
be indispensable - roadside pickups on the first trip and store-bought
trekkers on the next two.

regards,

Bob S.

On Jul 28, 2004, at 8:00 AM, Tom Priestly wrote:

> I took two trekking poles with me the whole way and found them a great
> help, especially going downhill or when I was tired. (Maybe this is
> only applies to wrinklies? I was 66 at the time.) They reduce noise
> and give a better grip than spiked ends on roadways and rocky paths,
> and are no worse than spikes on mud or gravel.
>
> Tom
>