[Gocamino] "pack weight" — a rant — addendum

[Robert Spenger]

Whoops! In my long-winded diatribe about the ambiguity of the term  
"pack weight," I forgot one major item — walking sticks. I have used  
the lightweight collapsible type that can be attached to a pack, but  
they have a tendency to to live up to their name — collapsible — just  
at crucial moments. I suppose that a strong, young man can tighten  
them up enough to that they do not collapse, but I am no longer able  
to do that. I have also seen a newer type of trekking pole that seems  
to have a much more secure locking mechanism, but that would be  
another expense. On my last trip, in the spring of 2007, I went back  
to the old standby, wooden walking sticks, which I bought at Saint  
Privat-d'Allier on the second day, just before the steep, hazardous  
descent to Monistrol-d'Allier. I still have these and I found that  
they are just short of a pound apiece. I often had one in each hand  
using them or having them ready for use. At other times, I would carry  
them nested together in one hand, shifting them back and forth once in  
a while to give each hand a rest. I also could tie the  cords together  
and sling them over a shoulder to give both hands a rest. These were  
never in a pack. They would not fit. Does this mean that they do not  
count as pack weight? Just wondering.

Bob S.