For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
You are in for such a treat! Welcome! Poles are definitely a personal choice, but I was soooooo grateful that my daughter bought me mine. It was more important than I ever thought it would be! Especially trekking uphill!G'day - I'm 65 and slowly preparing for my first official camino (Camino Frances) Spring 2016. I have hiked most of my adult life without the aid of a walking stick or poles and they would probably feel very foreign in my hands now. Almost without exception every pilgrim photo i've seen has this ever present walking aid somewhere in it. Is the terrain on the Camino Frances such that i should consider using what seems to be a very popular piece of equipment? Cheers!
Thank you - I will check to see if they are available in Canada - are they telescopic?
You are in for such a treat! Welcome! Poles are definitely a personal choice, but I was soooooo grateful that my daughter bought me mine. It was more important than I ever thought it would be! Especially trekking uphill!
iBuen Camino!
Definitely get some poles. The choice of type however is worth a PhD dissertation! Walking sure is an accessory sport. Trekking poles and Pacer poles are two different beasts with two different techniques. Just as well you have some time before your Camino. My suggestion would be to go to a good outdoor store and discuss your needs and then try out several different types. The main criteria, whichever you choose, is that you learn to use them properly. Here are a couple of links to some good information on both types: Trekking Poles and Pacer Poles. There are many more useful websites but this will give you an good initial overview.Thank you - I'm very familiar with the knee thing (too many times playing hockey on frozen outdoor ponds in days long gone) - I never realized but yes i guess going downhill would be harder on the knees - Cheers
It is the same risk as any poles. Ski poles are prohibited, but the TSA regulations on trekking poles are silent, and they ignore specific questions about them. It will be up to the discretion of the agent on the day you travel. Pacer Poles can be disassembled into their three sections. It makes them short enough to fit in almost any pack, and the scattered pieces look a lot less like a potential weapon. It is safest to check them.Can pacer poles be carried on plane?
G'day - I'm 65 and slowly preparing for my first official camino (Camino Frances) Spring 2016. I have hiked most of my adult life without the aid of a walking stick or poles and they would probably feel very foreign in my hands now. Almost without exception every pilgrim photo i've seen has this ever present walking aid somewhere in it. Is the terrain on the Camino Frances such that i should consider using what seems to be a very popular piece of equipment? Cheers!
Hi, I never use poles. I find it not handy to use. But when my wife walked her Camino Frances in 2013, she used 2 poles. The reason that she used them was, she is only 1,59 mtr. tall and than is it handy to use them.G'day - I'm 65 and slowly preparing for my first official camino (Camino Frances) Spring 2016. I have hiked most of my adult life without the aid of a walking stick or poles and they would probably feel very foreign in my hands now. Almost without exception every pilgrim photo i've seen has this ever present walking aid somewhere in it. Is the terrain on the Camino Frances such that i should consider using what seems to be a very popular piece of equipment? Cheers!
Make them the right length and they are handy to use for any height person.The reason that she used them was, she is only 1,59 mtr. tall and than is it handy to use them.
G'day - I'm 65 and slowly preparing for my first official camino (Camino Frances) Spring 2016. I have hiked most of my adult life without the aid of a walking stick or poles and they would probably feel very foreign in my hands now. Almost without exception every pilgrim photo i've seen has this ever present walking aid somewhere in it. Is the terrain on the Camino Frances such that i should consider using what seems to be a very popular piece of equipment? Cheers![/QU
wouldn't be here without my sticks. You don't need them everywhere, but I've found them invaluable for steep downhills.
Pacer poles can be ordered online at pacerpoles.com and yes they are telescopic ... (3 sections ... which can be replaced independently if needed) They aren't sold in stores. They are comparable in price to the nordic style poles sold in stores BUT they are far superior. There is no learning curve, the angled handle is ergonomically designed and pretty much becomes an extension of your arm without even trying. My poles came from the UK to the west coast of Canada in less than a week from ordering and came with free shipping and the Pacer Pole folks offer excellent customer service. There are many videos demonstrating the design and use of their poles on their website. I chose the aluminum over the carbon fiber because even tho they are slightly heavier ( not an issue as long as you are using them and not carrying them in your pack) they can be mended in an emergency if you accidentally bend a pole (not likely to happen by the way) whereas the carbon fiber snap if they fail (probably also not something to worry overmuch about) You'll find Pacer Poles are very popular on this forum and there is a good reason for that
Oh yes, frequently. See various threads and comments in regard to transporting poles / airport security. Airport Security across most of the globe do not admit long sticks with nasty pointed ends into airplane cabins. Covering nasty pointy ends with removable rubber tips has the same merit as keeping a flick-knife folded. Dividing long sticks with nasty pointed ends into three shorter sections still involves taking a, now, short stick with a nasty pointy end into an airplane cabin. Unless you want to run the high risk of having poles confiscated, check them.Flying IBERIA into Spain from Boston .
Anyone ever heard of poles being confiscated at security
I had thought about taking my pack (and poles) as carry-on but ultimately decided to put my poles in my pack (along with my swiss army knife), put my pack in a plastic garbage bag and used duct tape to create a solid package. At the airports I then obtained durable plastic bags at checkin and rewrapped the package with the airline tape. Overall, the package was probably much more secure than my regular suitcase would have been.
On other trips when I have used my suitcase, I have carried the PacerPoles in my suitcase. I have never tried to carry my PacerPoles as carry-on, but I have taken long wooden poles with rubber tips with my carry-on on domestic flights where I have also checked luggage. Despite that "success," carrying my swiss army knife would remain a problem, so I am generally resigned to having to check something. Security at airports varies airport to airport and guard to guard, particularly on international flights. Additionally, given the long lines and the time required to check something that security will not let pass, I would probably not try to carry my poles as carry-on.
When you do check a suitcase with poles/knives/whatever, what do you do with the suitcase after you arrive. I was thinking of maybe a really cheap duffle bag I could just donate somewhere, is that possible? I'm too nervous about the idea of checking my backpack.
G'day - I'm 65 and slowly preparing for my first official camino (Camino Frances) Spring 2016. I have hiked most of my adult life without the aid of a walking stick or poles and they would probably feel very foreign in my hands now. Almost without exception every pilgrim photo i've seen has this ever present walking aid somewhere in it. Is the terrain on the Camino Frances such that i should consider using what seems to be a very popular piece of equipment? Cheers!
If you do choose poles PLEASE take rubber "silencers" for the on road sections. They don't alter the performance but do eliminate the awful racket poles make otherwise. Off road just slip them off into your pocket; and you will need spares. Good Luck.
Thank you all and......I want to put what may be a dumb question out there - do you have to adjust your stride in any way when you use poles?
You may also want to bring a replacement set. I'm glad I did as I wore a hole through the bottom of my first pair.Very good point! I carried them in my pocket and they are easy to pop on and off with out even breaking stride... The other point of using them of course is that the metal tips can slide on some hard/rock surfaces.
You may also want to bring a replacement set. I'm glad I did as I wore a hole through the bottom of my first pair.
I agree that most people I saw with poles weren't using them very well, which is a pity, because the are carrying a little unnecessary weight if nothing else.I am 63 and presently on the Camino. Have used poles in the past. I personally haven't found any reason to use poles on the Camino. But that is your choice of course. Most people I have seen to date clearly do not how to use them-just a fashion accessory
I agree that most people I saw with poles weren't using them very well, which is a pity, because the are carrying a little unnecessary weight if nothing else.
My general take on poles are that they are completely optional, but beneficial particularly if they are used properly. Less so otherwise. There are only a couple of things poles can do:
None of this is terrain dependent, although some people choose to only use poles in certain types of terrain. My view is that if I am going to carry poles, the might as well be in use, irrespective of the terrain.
- Take some weight off your lower joints. The more vertical the pole, the greater percentage of you effort that goes into this.
- Assist in forward propulsion or braking, depending on whether you plant the tip ahead of or behind of your centre line. The greater the angle of the pole away from the vertical, the greater the percentage of effort that goes into this.
- Assist in maintaining stability by having a larger 'footprint', ie by being able to reach further forward, back or to the sides.
If you don't use them or like them, none whatsoever!what's really the point of them?
Hi ,
Now about third the way through my Camino with no poles. Despite having balance problems I have had no falls. People I started with who had poles are no further ahead and certainly not in better condition. So someone please tell what's really the point of them?
I'm wondering how you can tell that they are in no better condition than if they hadn't used poles. When the evidence is collected objectively, the results are positive. Observational anecdotes are great for some things, but really don't make for informed debate here. At the risk of being really boring, poles are clearly beneficial when used properly, less so otherwise and completely optional.People I started with who had poles are no further ahead and certainly not in better condition. So someone please tell what's really the point of them?
Hi ,
Now about third the way through my Camino with no poles. Despite having balance problems I have had no falls. People I started with who had poles are no further ahead and certainly not in better condition. So someone please tell what's really the point of them?
I am 63 and presently on the Camino. Have used poles in the past. I personally haven't found any reason to use poles on the Camino. But that is your choice of course. Most people I have seen to date clearly do not how to use them-just a fashion accessory
When the trail is smooth and not carrying much weight, I find I don't need my sticks. But at 63 yrs old I sure have been thankful for my sticks when I walk longer distances and start to get careless in my foot placement as what happens when one starts getting a little weary. My knees are good so far but I am aware that my strength isn't what it used to be.You are in for such a treat! Welcome! Poles are definitely a personal choice, but I was soooooo grateful that my daughter bought me mine. It was more important than I ever thought it would be! Especially trekking uphill!
iBuen Camino!
Thank you Heather eh! It's still Mosquitopeg here but i think i still know where my snowshoes are in case we suddenly get one of those Colorado lows coming our way - and as there's a Tim's almost on every corner one will not be hard to find in case of a whiteout. Meethinks you'd be very entertaining on the long path to Santiago. PS: I still have a large jar of pennies if you need some in the future.
Sorry but I found a better use for them (pennies) - taking them on my camino and using them like breadcrumbs so i can find my way back if i get lost - we have lobsters in Manitoba (a little on the small side tho) we call them crayfish. You write very edible messages. Cheers!
Bon bon appetit!I'm off to Tim's - double double and a choc glazed or deux - Later
YES! - I would describe many parts of the CF as "rolling terrain" meaning the numerous rocks & boulders want to roll underfoot and cause hikers to lose balance. Trekking poles help reduce theG'day - I'm 65 and slowly preparing for my first official camino (Camino Frances) Spring 2016. I have hiked most of my adult life without the aid of a walking stick or poles and they would probably feel very foreign in my hands now. Almost without exception every pilgrim photo i've seen has this ever present walking aid somewhere in it. Is the terrain on the Camino Frances such that i should consider using what seems to be a very popular piece of equipment? Cheers!
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?