Calirunner
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Yes, if you are a believer in science and tests/studies.is there a real benefit to using walking poles?
There is nothing technical about it. The first few kilometers are gently sloping road. Then there are some steeper shortcuts across switchbacks in the toad (stay on the road, and nothing gets very steep). Then there is more gentle dirt track. Then there is road. Then there is downhill with some rocks that can be slippery in wet conditions. There is nothing that would require hands or climbing boots.the only truly technical "hike" would be from St. Jean to Roncesvalles via the Napoleon route.
I have walked in the Alps and the Pyrenees over the years without poles. However, I started Nordic walking a couple of years ago and now I love using the poles in the mountains. I found them very useful on the descents particularly and I have heard they take up to 30% of the pressure off the knees. If you don't already use poles, it might be an idea to just get trekking poles over there. I took lightweight carbon Nordic walking travel poles, but you can get trekking poles that are much less expensive.As we begin to assemble our Camino gear, I'm wondering about the pole thing -- is there a real benefit to using walking poles? We've hiked Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon quite successfully without them, as well as Marin/Mt. Tam and other NorCal trail systems, and it seems the only truly technical "hike" would be from St. Jean to Roncesvalles via the Napoleon route. Is it worth the purchase for other reasons (like fending off the hordes of slavering, rabid wild dogs of Camino lore, for example...j/k)? In the interest of keeping things streamlined and light, we're wondering if they're really necessary.
Sad to hear that. Were you given any instruction or hints on how to use them? I regularly find that people aren't given any, and expected to somehow learn by themselves the couple of simple things that make the difference between them being really useful, and as you seem to have found, a liability.Now granted I walked the camino when I was 22- I wouldn't say trekking poles are necessary if you've done a comfortable amount of hiking without them. When I arrived in SJPDP I didn't own poles, but other pilgrims strongly recommended I purchase them before starting in the Pyrenese. For me, they felt more like a liability. I left them in a albergue after a couple hundred kilometers.
These gloves work very well using poles.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MUGTMJP/?tag=casaivar02-20
Yes, it seems that even telescoping poles are a no-no onboard, so we'll have to purchase in St. JPDP (we're pushing thru from California to St. Jean in a pretty tight schedule, so will have to wait until we get there).
My husband suggested borrowing a pair and watching some tutorials online and practicing here. Even though we're both pretty fit walkers/hikers/runners, we have done one 14.5 mile practice walk this month, will do another with packs in July, and perhaps after some practice, will do the third practice walk with packs and poles in August.
I get that they're good for some, others may find them merely extra baggage, which is cool. My husband even suggested purchasing one pair in St. Jean, sharing them on and off for the first leg of the journey, and if we both love them, purchasing a second pair next town down the line.
I was 22 fifty years ago. Things change!Now granted I walked the camino when I was 22- I wouldn't say trekking poles are necessary if you've done a comfortable amount of hiking without them. When I arrived in SJPDP I didn't own poles, but other pilgrims strongly recommended I purchase them before starting in the Pyrenese. For me, they felt more like a liability. I left them in a albergue after a couple hundred kilometers.
Will it be easy to find walking poles in Leon?There is certainly a store or two with pilgrim equipment in SJPdP ;-) It is a major starting point and the Camino is one of the main 'business opportunities' in the little town. Buen Camino, SY
The easiest to find store is for example in the same street as the pilgrims office.
Google maps brings up a couple of stores when queried using the term 'outdoor sports store leon'. At least one of them appears to stock walking poles.Will it be easy to find walking poles in Leon?
Thanks
Poles may work for some people but I find them a real hassle and unnecessary (for me). Two more things to forget or lose and there is always something in your hands when you need your hands free. I tried poles and I prefer life without!As we begin to assemble our Camino gear, I'm wondering about the pole thing -- is there a real benefit to using walking poles? We've hiked Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon quite successfully without them, as well as Marin/Mt. Tam and other NorCal trail systems, and it seems the only truly technical "hike" would be from St. Jean to Roncesvalles via the Napoleon route. Is it worth the purchase for other reasons (like fending off the hordes of slavering, rabid wild dogs of Camino lore, for example...j/k)? In the interest of keeping things streamlined and light, we're wondering if they're really necessary.
So it is......
Poles will be useful for reducing stresses on ankles, knees, and hips, and for any slippery parts. The older you get, the more they help! ....
About eighteen years ago I was extolling trekking poles to another adult Scout leader on a training hike, and he was opining how unnecessary they were. Within a minute, he caught a foot on a root and did a full face plant with a loaded pack. I spent a half-hour cleaning the dirt from his wounds. Neither of us changed our opinion on trekking poles...I was lost in the moment looking around and not looking at the trail. It was and accident ... would the poles have prevented it? No se,
I bought my poles there last year 35€ and was glad I did, made my Camino easier.Now I'm trying to sort out the carry on situation, ugh. So many conflicting reports regarding whether or not bringing telescoping trekking/walking poles in a carry-on is permissible. Is there a good store in St. JPDP for such items? I would probably prefer the telescoping ones rather than solid poles -- can always mail them home from Barcelona afterwards.
You have to learn how to use them in a proper way.Now granted I walked the camino when I was 22- I wouldn't say trekking poles are necessary if you've done a comfortable amount of hiking without them. When I arrived in SJPDP I didn't own poles, but other pilgrims strongly recommended I purchase them before starting in the Pyrenese. For me, they felt more like a liability. I left them in a albergue after a couple hundred kilometers.
They might help with plantar fasciitis but you will have to do more than use poles to prevent that problem. I used poles and that helped only after I developed the condition. Stretching A LOT prior to walking (calves, feet and ankles) and a proper pair of orthotics and proper shoes are the way to deal with PF. My podiatrist scolded me for using hiking shoes and not sticking with boots as the lack of lateral support was a major contributing factor. I also left my custom orthotics at home (I didn't want to get them wet) and bought super feet. Major mistake. So if you do struggle with PF, I recommend seeing your podiatrist and getting their advice for your particular case. I'd never had this issue in 20 years of long distance hiking. The only 2 things I changed was to switch to shoes and not wearing my custom orthotics. Blisters and knee issues were never a problem for me but I credit the poles for not having knee issues. Blisters have never been an issue since I wear footwear that fits and Darn Tough socksThanks for your advice!
It seems like they're a good addition -- having suffered from plantar fasciitis for over a year, that's definitely something I don't want to revisit. Also, the upper body workout and correct posture/form aspect is probably going to be very beneficial over the course of 30+ days.
It's the worst pain ever, isn't it? Glad to hear of someone recovering. I stopped walking exactly one month ago yesterday and I'm already feeling a huge relief. The cortisone shots helped as did going back to using my orthotics and structured shoes at work. Good luck on your Camino. Buen Camino.Ya, mine were the result of experimenting with minimalist running shoes. Ended up wearing pretty heavy, structured running shoes for a year before I could switch to something a little faster and more flexible again. So far, so good!
Would not have been able to complete my camino without them. I am hopeless on inclines and really need them. Use them to rest on by leaning forward when stopped. I also found them invaluable as an extra stabilising leg on some really steep rocky down hillsAs we begin to assemble our Camino gear, I'm wondering about the pole thing -- is there a real benefit to using walking poles? We've hiked Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon quite successfully without them, as well as Marin/Mt. Tam and other NorCal trail systems, and it seems the only truly technical "hike" would be from St. Jean to Roncesvalles via the Napoleon route. Is it worth the purchase for other reasons (like fending off the hordes of slavering, rabid wild dogs of Camino lore, for example...j/k)? In the interest of keeping things streamlined and light, we're wondering if they're really necessary.
You have made a few statements that I question, but this one is definitely not true for me. When walking with poles, planting every step on the opposite side, my stride shortens. The regular rythym and symmetry help my posture and endurance.Pole tend to lengthen the stride which should be shortened when walking longer distances
Greetings from Sacramento neighbor. Yes I've hiked Mt. Tam many times, sometimes to escape the Sacramento heat which I'm sure you are aware of. I've already started hiking locally with my fully loaded Camino pack but only for about 6 miles sometimes in 100F heat or more after work. Haven't collapsed yet. Thinking of going for a 15 miler at Point Reyes to escape the "Big Sack" heat. Looks like I'm doing the Camino this Sept/Oct if I can get all my ducks in a row. I was born in Upstate N.Y. and moved here shortly after high school, but I like it out here better. The things they call mountains in N.Y. would be foothills out here. I ALWAYS use poles now.Born and raised on Mt Tam, graduated from Tam High. Like you, I've hiked all my life. Walking the Camino is different. I never used poles until I started training to do it. Do three or four 15 milers back-to-back with a loaded pack and you'll feel the difference in your body that using poles will facilitate... or maybe you won't. Then you'll know.
Feel free to contact me if you find yourself in the west Sonoma area, Sacramento. It's delightful here in the redwoods and I always love chatting about the Camino while following a trail.Greetings from Sacramento neighbor. Yes I've hiked Mt. Tam many times, sometimes to escape the Sacramento heat which I'm sure you are aware of. I've already started hiking locally with my fully loaded Camino pack but only for about 6 miles sometimes in 100F heat or more after work. Haven't collapsed yet. Thinking of going for a 15 miler at Point Reyes to escape the "Big Sack" heat. Looks like I'm doing the Camino this Sept/Oct if I can get all my ducks in a row. I was born in Upstate N.Y. and moved here shortly after high school, but I like it out here better. The things they call mountains in N.Y. would be foothills out here. I ALWAYS use poles now.
@Terry Callery, I don't know where you are getting some of this from, but in Australia the colloquial question that would be put to you is whether you are prepared to share the name of your supplier. The comparisons that you make seem to me completely inappropriate, eg no pole user I have seen is trying to be a cross country skier. As for golfers hitting the ball with their hips, well the image that generated in my mind was truly marvelous.Yes, walking poles take a percentage weight off the legs and knees, but at what cost to the rest of the body ie the cardio-vascular system?
What sport in the Olympics do athletes burn the most energy per minute?
It is cross-country skiing. Takes the most energy per minute to do. Using arms and legs. Total burn for the body.
Hey it is a walking silent meditation...not a cross-country burn-out ski race.
So when you adopt poles, you become a bit like a cross-country skier...no longer a slow walk in the woods...the energy use goes way up
If you go without poles and walk in a mindful, aligned and balanced way (Chi Walk) with your upper extremities
light as a feather and your arms and hands making the micro movements that help to balance you, then
at the end of the day only your legs are tired...not you upper body. Take poles and the whole body is tired.
Stabbing the ground with poles is aggressive walking, micro-movements with the arms and hand is ZEN.
The real power comes from the lower body, not the arms. The best golfers hit the ball with their hips.
Great skeet shooters are "lower body" shooters...the top of the body is fixed and it all comes from the lower body.
Why is it you never see a picture of an inuit/eskimo walking through the artic with walking poles?
But hey "one man,,,one Camino" For me the most important thing is conserving energy so poles just do not work for me.
Plus I like to have my hands free.
There are shorter folks, with shorter legs and with pelvic girdles that are closer to the the surface of the earth. Seriously! Think about this. I have long-observed and watched who seemed to be making the best progress without poles.
It occurs to me that there is a geometric relationship between the distance, or height of one's pelvis & waist above the ground and one's relative stability over varied terrain. Year after year, I am in wonder over shorter pilgrims who can proceed like mountain goats even with heavy rucksacks, while I struggle to make way.
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