BevBeevers
Bevbee
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances Sept. 2014
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.......... walking down hill that they were most useful. I didn't start using them until later on in the Camino and my next one I using them the entire way.
but Jeff... does the pilgrim wonder stick collapse so it can be carried onto the airplane ? or is it just the satan poles that offer this modern convenience ??
Ha ha excellent!!! This was my original idea, a sturdy wooden staff, a lifelong friend and walking companion etc..I'm sorry, but as I've said before, any benefits that trekking poles give you are cancelled out by just how awesome a real wooden walking stick is. I received many compliments from both locals and other pilgrims on my stick. "Now THAT'S a pilgrim staff!" a friendly man in Burgos told me. He was so impressed I think he wanted me to marry his niece. No, I'm not kidding.
So let's recap...
Trekking poles
Pros:
They help you walk or something, supposedly.
Cons:
They make you look like a dork
They are cold and soulless. (The Beatles never wrote a song called "Norwegian Lightweight Aluminum")
There are no statues of St. James using trekking poles, so you're probably excommunicated if you use them.
Wooden staff
Pros:
Makes you instantly identifiable as a pilgrim
They can be personalized and customized. (Good luck carving your name or a bible verse into aluminum. Hope your packed a Dremel!)
Good for fending off stray dogs and the hordes of potential mates your walking stick will attract.
Makes a perfect monopod for your camera.
Good for the environment. They literally grow on trees! Unlike aluminum which must be ripped from Mother Earth, smelted and processed, probably in some God-forsaken, carbon-spewing factory by a five year old that works for 2 cents a day with no bathroom break.
Cons:
None
So let's recap. Trekking poles, awful tools of Satan that promote child labor. Wooden staff, makes you the coolest pilgrim ever, doesn't pollute, and is personally endorsed by Moses, Aaron, St. James, and millions of pilgrims.
The choice is clear!
And thanks Kanga... I´ve followed a lot of your sound advice from your many Caminos experience. Already changed the boots (never very comfy after almost 3 months of wearing in) for Asics Trail Runners.. suppose St. James didn´t have access to these beauties... I´m still not too sure about the poles though, read using a sturdy staff slightly taller than oneself was ideal, especially for the descents.. Running out of time, will have to try some poles, I have no flights to worry about packing so a staff wouldn´t be a problem, then again neither would poles... arghhh.. head does spin sometimes...An old fashioned mechanical typewriter can type letters beautifully, and it looks good too. Same with a treadle sewing machine. They have soul. Wonderfully neither use that substance of the devil - electricity.
I agree that to do a medieval pilgrimage you should carry a pilgrim staff. Probably also a felted woollen clock, oilskin trousers, wooden clogs, a sack made of hessian and a bow and arrow to catch your victuals. It would be very romantic.
I want something that saves my knees and my hips and is lightweight - so I use two trekking poles....
An old fashioned mechanical typewriter can type letters beautifully, and it looks good too. Same with a treadle sewing machine. They have soul. Wonderfully neither use that substance of the devil - electricity.
I agree that to do a medieval pilgrimage you should carry a pilgrim staff. Probably also a felted woollen clock, oilskin trousers, wooden clogs, a sack made of hessian and a bow and arrow to catch your victuals. It would be very romantic.
Starting my first Camino in Sept. and was planning on purchasing a staff in SJPdP as a walking aid (one hand free) and "souvenir"... having read so many comments on the successful use of trekking poles, also having a slightly dodgy knee, I´m having second thoughts about the staff... would poles be better?? what kind of poles??
Thank you Pilgrims for the advice and sharing your experiences..
One grateful future Peregrina..Xxx
I too have thought of taking my cloak along with wearing my underpants on top of my red and blue onesee with my initial on the chest. My thinking is that if I do the Camino will simply fly by.I'm actually packing a cape this time, LOL, in addition to the "purist" staff ; though I doubt I'll make any much use of it except as a pillow/slash/extra blanket before the autumn ..
I too have thought of taking my cloak along with wearing my underpants on top of my red and blue onesee with my initial on the chest. My thinking is that if I do the Camino will simply fly by.
Jabbapapa--we stopped in a store in Sarria that sells the entire Pilgrim "uniform"! It is on the Camino but I did not see anyone wearing one of their uniforms. They have them in different sizes.
I got my own staff from a simple peasant woodcutter in Italy. It's a piece of wood. But it's the exact right length, thickness, and weight for my walking. Sorry William, but just can't see the point of any kind of "special" pilgrim staff ...
Your staffs, art, and gardens are beautiful! Thank you for posting these photos. I like your style.It's a hobby.
Starting my first Camino in Sept. and was planning on purchasing a staff in SJPdP as a walking aid (one hand free) and "souvenir"... having read so many comments on the successful use of trekking poles, also having a slightly dodgy knee, I´m having second thoughts about the staff... would poles be better?? what kind of poles??
Thank you Pilgrims for the advice and sharing your experiences..
One grateful future Peregrina..Xxx
Is that a 3 section alloy then???Carbon does not save much weight. A metal pole will bend if stressed; a carbon pole will shatter. You can unbend the metal, and still have a usable pole. Damage is an unlikely event, but it can happen. Three section poles will fit inside most packs. I always check my pack, so I am most interested in a clean exterior that does not invite damage from baggage handling equipment. I have a nylon bag to cover my pack and its straps, and having the poles on the inside prevents any corners or snag points.
Thank you for sharing this, but be warned that there are inaccuracies and over simplifications in the first paragraphs and throughout the article.I've always been convinced that there is a difference in what pacer poles (for Nordic walking) provided, and trekking poles, but could not find any explanation for it. I've just found this and can now finally understand the difference. It's all there in the first sentence. http://www.nordicwalkingeastkent.co.../how-to-choose-the-right-nordic-walking-pole/
neither part of which is correct. Experienced trekking pole users will know that the strap is an integral part of the design to generate the push on the pole, and NOT simply there to stop it falling. My observation is that many novice pole users don't use the strap effectively, but that is another matter. By design, it is used for exactly the same purpose as the glove on a Nordic walking pole - to generate the push on the pole. And of course it is possible to fit a rubber tip of any shape to a trekking pole just as one can do that to a Nordic walking pole - that is not a real point of discrimination between the two pole types.while trekking poles have flat rubber pads and ergonomically shaped handles with a loose, band-like strap which exists simply to prevent you dropping the pole.
@pjlopey, I'm glad your thigh definition improved - if you had used poles consistently, you could also have improved your upper body toning at the same time. Your body does the work one way or the other - poles move where some of the work is done from your lower limbs to your arms.I have no knee problems and the 'taking 30%' of the load wasn't appealing to me as I wanted my body to do the work! But that's what I liked (pretty happy with my thigh definition post camino). But as I said I have no physical considerations and I guess this makes a difference
My husband has done both one pole and two and says two are much better (he had an injured shoulder on our first camino and could only use one). I can't imagine walking without trekking poles, on your first uphill you will thank them!Starting my first Camino in Sept. and was planning on purchasing a staff in SJPdP as a walking aid (one hand free) and "souvenir"... having read so many comments on the successful use of trekking poles, also having a slightly dodgy knee, I´m having second thoughts about the staff... would poles be better?? what kind of poles??
Thank you Pilgrims for the advice and sharing your experiences..
One grateful future Peregrina..Xxx
Thank you for sharing this, but be warned that there are inaccuracies and over simplifications in the first paragraphs and throughout the article.
The worst example is this statement neither part of which is correct. Experienced trekking pole users will know that the strap is an integral part of the design to generate the push on the pole, and NOT simply there to stop it falling. My observation is that many novice pole users don't use the strap effectively, but that is another matter. By design, it is used for exactly the same purpose as the glove on a Nordic walking pole - to generate the push on the pole. And of course it is possible to fit a rubber tip of any shape to a trekking pole just as one can do that to a Nordic walking pole - that is not a real point of discrimination between the two pole types.
I also reject the notion implied in the first sentence that trekking poles are not part of a useful exercise regime. That is just nonsense. If you are prepared to learn to use trekking poles properly, you will get significant upper body exercise with your walks, and for some of us that does great things for those tuck-shop arms.
NICE job on the poles/staffs. I have one my brother made me, but afraid I'd lose it on the Camino and I prefer trecking poles.You will see what I like below (all made by me):
I was told by some hikers that they lose feeling in their fingers if they do NOT use poles????? Guess they must elevate their hands for blood circulation?????
My husband brought a long, soft, zippered tube that we have for carrying a 6-pack of soda to the beach, which happens to be the perfect size for storing 2 sets of poles. We stored our poles in this when en route to and from the Camino and also when we weren't using all of our poles. .
Considering that weight is our biggest enemy when walking, do you suppose if a person reduced the weight of their pack and reduced the weight of their shoes, would this not reduce the strain and maybe make the use of poles on relatively level surfaces unnecessary? Especially since it requires more energy to use poles than not?
I am not sure what your thinking is here. Poles are a walking aid - they are beneficial, but not necessary (or essential). If you don't want to use them, don't, but you then forego the benefits.Considering that weight is our biggest enemy when walking, do you suppose if a person reduced the weight of their pack and reduced the weight of their shoes, would this not reduce the strain and maybe make the use of poles on relatively level surfaces unnecessary? Especially since it requires more energy to use poles than not?
Bev,Starting my first Camino in Sept. and was planning on purchasing a staff in SJPdP as a walking aid (one hand free) and "souvenir"... having read so many comments on the successful use of trekking poles, also having a slightly dodgy knee, I´m having second thoughts about the staff... would poles be better?? what kind of poles??
Thank you Pilgrims for the advice and sharing your experiences..
One grateful future Peregrina..Xxx
Watch the youtube vid of the guy "dancing" the Camino. He twirls a staff most of the time. Don't think you can dance with poles. Also, ever see the people that walk backwards up hills? They claim it's easier on legs. Met several of them and wondered where they ever heard of doing that. Odd how many people won't walk straight down hills either but go back and forth across the trail!
Thank you so much everyone for the input...
My "PacerPoles" are in the post..
After studying the how to use videos I´m looking forward to putting them to practise..
Thanks again..
Buen Camino (with poles) a todos!!!!!
An old fashioned mechanical typewriter can type letters beautifully, and it looks good too. Same with a treadle sewing machine. They have soul. Wonderfully neither use that substance of the devil - electricity.
I agree that to do a medieval pilgrimage you should carry a pilgrim staff. Probably also a felted woollen clock, oilskin trousers, wooden clogs, a sack made of hessian and a bow and arrow to catch your victuals. It would be very romantic.
I want something that saves my knees and my hips and is lightweight - so I use two trekking poles....
Really a matter of personal preference.. I used a staff, I thought poles silly and cumbersom. Both my wife and mother used two walking poles each and swore by them--although, in fairness, they were trading off carrying a 25 pound 15 month old, so they needed extra stabilityStarting my first Camino in Sept. and was planning on purchasing a staff in SJPdP as a walking aid (one hand free) and "souvenir"... having read so many comments on the successful use of trekking poles, also having a slightly dodgy knee, I´m having second thoughts about the staff... would poles be better?? what kind of poles??
Thank you Pilgrims for the advice and sharing your experiences..
One grateful future Peregrina..Xxx
Why "silly"? There is a lot of evidence that they provide benefit. Appearance over utility?I thought poles silly
Considering that my wife and mother used them, it certainly wasnt gratuitious insult. More just flippant attempt at humor not working in writing. I like the look of a single staff, that is subjective. I, personally, felt more comfortable and stable with a single staff, that isn't as subjective but it is person dependent. The overall point of my OP I think was fairly clear that it really depends on the person---and you should do what you feel most comfortable with. The word choice was a mistake, but truly just an attempt at being flip.Why "silly"? There is a lot of evidence that they provide benefit. Appearance over utility? Gratuitous insult to those who use them? ???
I don't use either...Starting my first Camino in Sept. and was planning on purchasing a staff in SJPdP as a walking aid (one hand free) and "souvenir"... having read so many comments on the successful use of trekking poles, also having a slightly dodgy knee, I´m having second thoughts about the staff... would poles be better?? what kind of poles??
Thank you Pilgrims for the advice and sharing your experiences..
One grateful future Peregrina..Xxx
I appreciated my poles (Black Diamond Ultra Distance) the most when climbing down (and up) the steps to the Roman Bridge ruins west of Cirauqui on the CF. Without them I would have probably done a header and broken something. I carefully/strategically planted each one before making my next step or two!!!
Yes.Do you use walking sticks when you are walking around in your own country?
@marbuck, your understanding of human evolution appears about as sound as your understanding of the benefits of pole use. Modern humans have not been around for millions of year - 50,000 to 100,000 years perhaps, and on the basis of your argument wouldn't travel anywhere by car, train or aeroplane - they are also modern inventions designed to assist people travel. If you travel by any of these, you should probably avoid mocking those that use poles!!People have been walking for millions of years with out walking sticks, but in the past decade walkers have been convinced that they must part with their hard earned cash and purchase designer poles. Do you use walking sticks when you are walking around in your own country? If your answer is NO, then you don't need them on the Camino. It's a con.
@Kanga, great points. Here in Canberra there is still the occasional attempt at a humourous comment, but I find most people in my neighbourhood no longer give it a second thought. There are still only a handful of regular pole users around - many more people carry them than really use them. There are some nordic walking enthusiasts appearing, but I hear about them rather than see them when I am out walking.@marbuck most mornings see me walking the suburban streets of Sydney and on the Great North Walk - with poles. So yes, I do use them all the time. Skiing injuries to both knees, age related arthritis in the hips and monocular vision. I could not manage the ups and particularly the downs of the Upper North Shore without them.
I agree that poles can be tricky when bushwalking - just as ponchos are not suitable - our bush is too prickly and poles get caught. But in open spaces or on wide paths or on streets - perfect.
I meet regularly with a group of friends my age. Out of nine of us, I and one other are the only ones who still walk for pleasure and or exercise. All the others have knee or hip or back problems which have stopped them. None use poles. I've tried to persuade a couple to try because I believe poles could give them back their mobility. Sometimes I feel a dork - and I am so sick of being told "no snow round here". But who cares, if they keep me striding along? And I really do power along.
I used to walk in Chad, Central Africa, with a Mauritanian friend. As a child, he & his entire family would walk for days across their country with their herd of camel so the children could then attend school - returning back when school finished for the year. He explained to me about the need to keep the circulation going.When I or my husband walk for a long time (3 or more hours) not using trekking sticks, we get swollen hands. I don't know if it is the change in position or the muscles in the hand being used, but trekking sticks definitely prevents and cures that problem.
many more people carry them than really use them
I am not against walking poles, I am against healthy fit people being told that they need walking poles.
Of course not. But I agree with @marbuck that it is a great pity that the stores that sell them (at least here in Australia) often do not have people with the skills to at least give elementary instruction on how to use them properly.Is the world going to end if a person uses or carries poles for any reason whether they need them or not??? Doubt it.
I am VERY late to this conversation, but I've benefited immensely from everyone's knowledge and I just want to say that Kanga made me truly laugh out loud with this reply!Actually, I quite like the idea of the Camino plus staff, but I'd want more than one. A porter, a laundress, a history teacher, a chef.....
I still recall that most people I saw with hiking sticks did not use them , but always had them sticking up on the sides of their packs. When asked if the poles on the packs were really antennas so they could communicate with their Mothership, they never denied it.
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