Okay, I have to admit that storing a stake inside your trekking pole is just plain brilliant. I will definitely start doing that myself. In return, I'll share my favorite trekking pole hack with you. I came up with this idea because the 'water bottle level' only gives you 12" or shorter 'level' to work with. What I do to create a 4' level is: I buy a $2 line level from one of the big box stores. I found the IRWIN 1794484 Aluminum Line Level works best due to the aluminum body, but other may work as well. I then drill 2 small ty-wrap sized holes in each side near the plastic end. Don't drill too close to the vial - you may ruin it. Run a ty-wrap through the 2 holes at each end and secure it to your trekking pole ABOVE a joint, so the pole will remain adjustable. I also add a couple drops of super glue to secure it tightly. Since I have 2-piece carbon fiber poles, above the only joint on the pole is about the center of the pole. With a mud basket on the pole, the offset on that end is about equal to the offset of the handle when you lay the pole flat on the ground. Now when you're looking for a level spot to pitch your tent, you have a 4' level you can use - since eye-balling it never seems to work like we'd want it to. Even laying down on the spot never works. Using the trekking pole level works 100% of the time. Try it!
speaking of replacing tips, I have Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork and I have walked with them for over 1000 km on the rough rocky terrain of Iceland and Scandinavia - no sign of wear on the carbide tips at all. quality poles really go a long way
I have a pair of hiking poles that have a few thousand miles on them, including a few hundred in the Sierra, a couple traverses of the Grand Canyon, and a bunch of AT miles. They still have the lip and indentation at the tip. I’ve always wondered where I have to hike, and how many miles do I need to put in, before I’d need to replace them. After watching your video, I wonder how different my style of using them is from yours. Or if the material is different (my tips are Leki). I’m talking poles that are 20+ years old. I don’t use poles a lot these days. I’ve graduated to a single pole - the five foot long carbon fiber trekking pole that Zpacks sells. I find poles to be most handy for me when I’m going downhill - that’s when my knees take the abuse. A longer pole allows me a lot more reach and thus options for where I want to place my pole, and I find this allows me to routes that are easier and safer to take downhill.
Interesting. Must be my cheap poles. I never get more than 6 to 8 hundred miles out of mine. Perhaps I'm a hiking pole abuser! It will be interesting to hear from others on pole longevity. I hate buying expensive poles. Besides wearing them out, I tend to bend and break them also. Keep Smilin'
Okay, I have to admit that storing a stake inside your trekking pole is just plain brilliant. I will definitely start doing that myself.
In return, I'll share my favorite trekking pole hack with you. I came up with this idea because the 'water bottle level' only gives you 12" or shorter 'level' to work with.
What I do to create a 4' level is: I buy a $2 line level from one of the big box stores. I found the IRWIN 1794484 Aluminum Line Level works best due to the aluminum body, but other may work as well. I then drill 2 small ty-wrap sized holes in each side near the plastic end. Don't drill too close to the vial - you may ruin it. Run a ty-wrap through the 2 holes at each end and secure it to your trekking pole ABOVE a joint, so the pole will remain adjustable. I also add a couple drops of super glue to secure it tightly. Since I have 2-piece carbon fiber poles, above the only joint on the pole is about the center of the pole. With a mud basket on the pole, the offset on that end is about equal to the offset of the handle when you lay the pole flat on the ground. Now when you're looking for a level spot to pitch your tent, you have a 4' level you can use - since eye-balling it never seems to work like we'd want it to. Even laying down on the spot never works. Using the trekking pole level works 100% of the time. Try it!
Thank you for my laugh of the day. Another Princess Bride fan. Kat.
I have to watch it at least once a year. Keep Smilin'
Great video, great reference to a great movie, and a great way to put on a backpack. I started doing it that way with my scuba gear.
Yes. Started in the Marine Corps, I was in a dive group. Always seemed natural with a pack. Much lighter than tanks. Keep Smilin'
speaking of replacing tips, I have Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork and I have walked with them for over 1000 km on the rough rocky terrain of Iceland and Scandinavia - no sign of wear on the carbide tips at all. quality poles really go a long way
I'm wondering if the replacement tips I bought are high quality. Will find out. Keep Smilin'
I have a pair of hiking poles that have a few thousand miles on them, including a few hundred in the Sierra, a couple traverses of the Grand Canyon, and a bunch of AT miles. They still have the lip and indentation at the tip. I’ve always wondered where I have to hike, and how many miles do I need to put in, before I’d need to replace them. After watching your video, I wonder how different my style of using them is from yours. Or if the material is different (my tips are Leki).
I’m talking poles that are 20+ years old.
I don’t use poles a lot these days. I’ve graduated to a single pole - the five foot long carbon fiber trekking pole that Zpacks sells. I find poles to be most handy for me when I’m going downhill - that’s when my knees take the abuse. A longer pole allows me a lot more reach and thus options for where I want to place my pole, and I find this allows me to routes that are easier and safer to take downhill.
Interesting. Must be my cheap poles. I never get more than 6 to 8 hundred miles out of mine. Perhaps I'm a hiking pole abuser! It will be interesting to hear from others on pole longevity. I hate buying expensive poles. Besides wearing them out, I tend to bend and break them also. Keep Smilin'
Sword fighting a bear? Inconceivable!
A bear walks into a bar. "I'm looking for the man who shot my paw"
You could say that people who use hiking poles are hacks (slang). But don't because that would be unkind.