Hiking Pole Modifications

[Paintboy2]

I'm currently on my 4th Camino, this one The Way of St. Francis, LaVerna, Italy to Assisi to Rome.
Some people asked about my hiking poles. I have added a few things that I find very helpful on my walks, especially here in Italy where I have done some road walking.
1. I have mounted a 90° LED light so that I can see where I'm going when I leave early or get in late. This is a very bright light that runs off an AAA battery and lasts usually a whole trip. I also use it if I am road walking so that cars can see me. Also, I occasionally need a handy light at night. I only use it then if I'm not in a communal room. It's really bright.
2. I have an elastic mounted rechargeable flashing Red LED that I use all day long so that cars, motorcycles, bicycles, etc. can see me from a long way off. I'm sold on how well this works to warn others of my presence, and, it's rechargeable
3. I have a 1/4" gimble mount at the bottom for mounting my OSMO POCKET video camera. Great for vloging or action shots.
4. I have wrapped about 15' of 250lb. paracord around my pole for emergency use.
I've used everything but the paracord on all of my trips and I would add these simple items to any poles I used. They no weight but are extremely helpful.

I know, I have a problem.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Looks like you still have a bit of room for a few meters of duct tape covered with reflective material. And where's the compass and whistle?

 

[Moorwalker]

I'm puzzled about how the light works since you are swinging a pole all the time. I'd rather have a lightweight head lamp for seeing where I'm going. And a piece of reflective tape goes a long way to making you visible without using an extra light and doesn't need to be recharged. Just personal opinion of course.

 

[Ivan_Prada]

I'm currently on my 4th Camino, this one The Way of St. Francis, LaVerna, Italy to Assisi to Rome.
Some people asked about my hiking poles. I have added a few things that I find very helpful on my walks, especially here in Italy where I have done some road walking.
1. I have mounted a 90° LED light so that I can see where I'm going when I leave early or get in late. This is a very bright light that runs off an AAA battery and lasts usually a whole trip. I also use it if I am road walking so that cars can see me. Also, I occasionally need a handy light at night. I only use it then if I'm not in a communal room. It's really bright.
2. I have an elastic mounted rechargeable flashing Red LED that I use all day long so that cars, motorcycles, bicycles, etc. can see me from a long way off. I'm sold on how well this works to warn others of my presence, and, it's rechargeable
3. I have a 1/4" gimble mount at the bottom for mounting my OSMO POCKET video camera. Great for vloging or action shots.
4. I have wrapped about 15' of 250lb. paracord around my pole for emergency use.
I've used everything but the paracord on all of my trips and I would add these simple items to any poles I used. They no weight but are extremely helpful.

I know, I have a problem.View attachment 61397View attachment 61398View attachment 61399

Hi Paintboy2:

I did kind the same with my poles. Added frontal lights to see where I was going and to be noticed by moving vehicles. My motives were more concerned with my safety as, I began walking early in the morning with very low lights at the time.

Keep on going!

 

[Paintboy2]

I'm puzzled about how the light works since you are swinging a pole all the time. I'd rather have a lightweight head lamp for seeing where I'm going. And a piece of reflective tape goes a long way to making you visible without using an extra light and doesn't need to be recharged. Just personal opinion of course.
Reflective tape doesnt reflect anything in daylight. The flashing red LED has been very effective during daytime road walking and the 90° pole light allows one to look at a person without blinding them. Just my experience of course but I've been very happy with them.

 

[RumAndChupacabras]

@Paintboy2, thank you so much for sharing the photos and information. we're getting ready to leave in just about 10 days and are considering buying our poles in Spain. Excellent ideas you have!

 

[Deleted member 73526]

I have bells on my poles to hide the noise of the tips hitting the road. And I have a horn to hide the noise of the bells.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

I wrap a few meters of LeukoTape P around the shaft of one pole for blister or first aid use.

 

[Former member 49149]

I found a nice patterned sticky tape to personalise them and thus help me find them in the mornings.

 

[Mary Doll]

I found a nice patterned sticky tape to personalise them and thus help me find them in the mornings.

Great minds think alike Kirkie. I have patterned duct tape to wrap around my poles. What I really need is an alarm to remind me to pick them up after stopping at a bar.

 

[Lindsay53]

I simply strapped my head torch to my outside (road side) wrist when pre-dawn walking.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I have bells on my poles to hide the noise of the tips hitting the road. And I have a horn to hide the noise of the bells.

No indicators or brake lights? Shame!

Before I became converted to PacerPoles I used this:



The action-cam is mounted on a standard hiking pole rubber and can be pushed on in an instant (useful for getting shots over people's heads). The poles are personalised with StiXskins which are OK but, I found, don't last without a clear tape on top.

I've used these bike lights in the past



which can be set to dim/bright/flash at various rates but can be intensely annoying for anybody walking behind you - they are LEZYNE cycle lamps

 

[Deleted member 73526]

No indicators or brake lights? Shame!

I'm old school. Hand signals only.

 

[andywild]

I have bells on my poles to hide the noise of the tips hitting the road. And I have a horn to hide the noise of the bells.

Truly awesome image!!
Maybe knee cymbals would help drown out the horn?

 

[Mike Blackard]

@Paintboy2, thank you so much for sharing the photos and information. we're getting ready to leave in just about 10 days and are considering buying our poles in Spain. Excellent ideas you have!

If you are going over the Pyrenees from St
Jean, you should buy the poles there. You will find them very useful on both uphill and downhill.