- Time of past OR future Camino
- Partial Frances (2018)
Full Frances 2022 (May-Jun)
I've been using trekking poles for years but use them differently than recommended. I swing the pole out in front of me when placing it so that the pole is angled away from me when planted. I then walk past it and pick it up when it is behind me. This results in a number of differences from the standard technique.
Does anyone else use the poles like this?
- I take 2 steps instead of one for every cycle of the pole.
- My arms are more at my side rather than out in front of me.
- Swinging the pole forward is more of a wrist movement rather than a whole arm movement.
- I use the poles at a shorter length so that they are at comfortable height in my hand as I walk past the pole.
- I don't really push on the pole to propel myself forward. It's more like I'm resting the weight of my arm on it which takes that weight off my legs.
Does anyone else use the poles like this?