allysonstonge7
New Member
- Jul 28, 2016
- 3
- 1
- Time of past OR future Camino
- My Camino will start from Sarria on September 21, 2016
Doug do you have a resource showing proper use? I see this a lot on the topic just have never seen the proper use explained. I personally have never taken a course on how to walk with a stick or sticks just seems natural...Whether or not to use walking poles is a personal choice, but properly used, they will always be beneficial. It is not about terrain or any of the creative uses of the poles, or whether you have dodgy knees, but about the basic physics of reducing the weight carried on your lower joints. They need to be used properly to gain these benefits, and if you are not already using poles, learning on the way isn't optimal. You would be less likely to get the techniques right, and gain the benefits.
Do you really need them? Maybe not. Will you get benefits from using them properly, even for five days? Definitely.
I can't resist.. Thank goodness that is a good face!I used my poles a lot from Sarria to Santiago. It rained a bunch, so there were sections of the trail that were very muddy. Poles helped me navigate the muddy parts very well. Without them, I am sure I would have been face-first in the mud at least a couple times.
Whether you need them is hard to know - are you 17 or are you 77, and how are your knees? I would recommend them to almost anyone.Do I really need sticks for that 5 day path ?
Generally the LEKI sponsored stuff on YouTube is good. TryDoug do you have a resource showing proper use? I see this a lot on the topic just have never seen the proper use explained. I personally have never taken a course on how to walk with a stick or sticks just seems natural...
So now that I have watched these videos by the experts... The second one is identical to the geography I live in & the downhill method is exactly the same as how I use my poles, the reason for it is the constant uneven ground from rocks to blow down timber Using the top in your palm gives quick reaction time for placement if your feet slip. In elevations like this you can fall very far. The first video is more for geography like the Camino. My only critique is that some folks use the "proper use" as a tool to berate others. Simply put it is their sticks to use in any manner they seem fit. Even if it goes against what the self promoted experts publish.Generally the LEKI sponsored stuff on YouTube is good. Trynoting that there is some LEKI specific stuff in this that might not apply to other brands.
Another good resource is http://www.helinox.com.au/walking-poles/how-to-use-walking-poles, although that booklet now appears to be a mail-out rather than distribution as a pdf document.
A relatively quick YouTube guide is atalthough I would not use the technique demonstrated in this video for going downhill. I lengthen my pole instead.
They make pretty shoulder and back muscles...also useful for hanging laundry, jamming under door knobs in sketchy hotels, keeping pack off wet grass and tapping ground in snake territory. Maybe there should be a new thread on creative uses for hiking poles?
If you do decide to take them please may I offer this tip-also buy fingerless cycling gloves with pads on the palms or you might get hand blisters.
I too walked the same section in May this year, I have to say I took one pole with me and found very useful on muddy sections and also on the hills, and it helped my 'dodgy' knees and back. But mostly I did not use the pole, only when I found it would help me, a 70 year old man on the way. I am now in the process of planning the full Camino next August and I will receive training in how to properly us the poles before then.I used my poles a lot from Sarria to Santiago. It rained a bunch, so there were sections of the trail that were very muddy. Poles helped me navigate the muddy parts very well. Without them, I am sure I would have been face-first in the mud at least a couple times.
I found that I was sticking the tape that I'd bought for my feet on my hands to prevent blisters. Good thinking Batwoman.If you do decide to take them please may I offer this tip-also buy fingerless cycling gloves with pads on the palms or you might get hand blisters.
Whether or not to use walking poles is a personal choice, but properly used, they will always be beneficial. It is not about terrain or any of the creative uses of the poles, or whether you have dodgy knees, but about the basic physics of reducing the weight carried on your lower joints. They need to be used properly to gain these benefits, and if you are not already using poles, learning on the way isn't optimal. You would be less likely to get the techniques right, and gain the benefits.
Do you really need them? Maybe not. Will you get benefits from using them properly, even for five days? Definitely.
This is really a loaded question. Walking sticks or not, one pair of socks or two, hiking boots or tennis shoes, Vasaline or no? These questions don't have one answer. Listen to opinions, analyze and then do what works for you!! Me: Definately always use the poles, hiking boots, one thin pair of socks and never Vasaline. We are all so different (which is what makes this so fun!). Play around with sticks before you go, see if you feel comfortable using them, if not leave them at home.I will leave for my first camino on September 18th. I will start walking in Sarria and end in Santiago.
I've never used walking sticks and never walked such as long distance.
Do I really need sticks for that 5 day path ?
The left foot, right arm cadence is the same natural movement you do when walking without poles. You right arm will move forward as your left foot moves forward naturally. You just do the same movement with the poles.
No rocket science involved
All things considered ,the question brought fewer responses than usual (wink!)
I do that on the downhills. I plant pole ahead of me and do two steps for each plant. It acts as a brake, without it I feel like I could careen down the hill (that would not be a pretty picture) On the flats and going up hills I do one plant per step. I have never shortened or lengthened my poles going up or down. If I did that in rolling hills, I would be forever stopping to readjust.I actually do a double pole plant ahead of me and then step up to the poles, especially good when on steep hills.
I need poles to walk from the bathroom to get my morning coffee, nuf said!
Hello All: Is there any incremental benefit or detriment to user just one pole, as opposed to no poles? More out of habit than anything, I too use just one pole. I like having one hand free to grab my camera out of my pocket or whatever. Thanks for all of your advice on this and all threads![/Q
I agree ,,,,, I too
I will leave for my first camino on September 18th. I will start walking in Sarria and end in Santiago.
I've never used walking sticks and never walked such as long distance.
Do I really need sticks for that 5 day path ?
I will leave for my first camino on September 18th. I will start walking in Sarria and end in Santiago.
I've never used walking sticks and never walked such as long distance.
Do I really need sticks for that 5 day path ?
Yup. Great point.... I was surprised to see so many people incorrectly using their poles....
See the link and instructions here: http://www.skixc.com/survival-1-2.html
Over the communal dinner in Estella we were discussing the snow and torrential rain we'd all been experiencing. An Italian comedian (really, said it was his day job...also made great pasta for our meal) told how he'd walked a stretch of road single file through deep and deeper patches of mud, ahead of a girl who was driving him crazy the whole way. He mimicked her telling him she led hikes, luckily she knew how to navigate through this, he was holding his poles wrong, etc. Then she fell suddenly silent. He turned around to see her face down in the mud. He silently said a prayer of thanks and continued on.I used my poles a lot from Sarria to Santiago. It rained a bunch, so there were sections of the trail that were very muddy. Poles helped me navigate the muddy parts very well. Without them, I am sure I would have been face-first in the mud at least a couple times.
See my post, it might give you a hintHello All: Is there any incremental benefit or detriment to user just one pole, as opposed to no poles? More out of habit than anything, I too use just one pole. I like having one hand free to grab my camera out of my pocket or whatever. Thanks for all of your advice on this and all threads!