AuldCamino
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- April (2014)
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A song that I stop for, and let pass. It can be as irritating as trekking poles without rubber tips. To each his own; I often need to take a break and don't, so the wooden poles may be a blessing in disguise. Adding metal tips makes them like trekking poles with a sound board to magnify the click. Rubber tips that may fit the end of the pole can be found in hardware stores and some China stores. They are replacements for cane tips, in general.And the sound of the wood against paving stone and gravel sings a song all its own.
wayfarer said:I would also agree with Scruffy and jastrace on the staff/poles issue. For years I used a 6ft staff while hillwalking in Ireland and I fully intended to bring one on the camino but my brother persuaded me to use walking poles and after a bit of instruction on how to set the correct length and how to use them properly I found them invaluable and would never go back to the staff. I know the staff looks nice and pilgrimy but they are not practical and the poles really help take the load of your legs and back.
AuldCamino said:Thanks everyone for your responses. I really do appreciate the feedback. To answer some really good points and questions, I want to use a wooden pole because I only really need a third point of balance and an agressive dog deterrent. To counteract the slipperiness factor, I was planning on using a wrist lanyard.
I am also thinking that I want to keep one hand free just in case I do lose my balance. I tend to instinctively flail about trying to catch my balance so having two sticks in my hands wouldn't be all that useful.
falcon269 said:My hiking partner, who is expert in epee and saber, preferred trekking poles for dogs!!
falcon269 said:A song that I stop for, and let pass. It can be as irritating as trekking poles without rubber tips. To each his own; I often need to take a break and don't, so the wooden poles may be a blessing in disguise. Adding metal tips makes them like trekking poles with a sound board to magnify the click. Rubber tips that may fit the end of the pole can be found in hardware stores and some China stores. They are replacements for cane tips, in general.And the sound of the wood against paving stone and gravel sings a song all its own.
lbpierce said:I will be flying from Mexico City to Madrid for my Camino and will be bringing my aluminum Pacer Poles (with rubber tips to avoid any irritating clicking noises on pavement). Has anyone had experiences with flights originating from Mexico to know if they will let you bring them on in your carry-on backpack? I suppose I could pack them in a separate package and check them as baggage, but I don't know what the odds of their not making it would be. The flight is a direct, non-stop flight.
I usually have to check mine due to size rather than weight. If someone at Ryanair is being a bit bloshy they can make your life difficult even at the point where you're about to board. Strictly speaking it shouldn't be bigger than one of those small wheely suitcases. Buen Camino!Al the optimist said:I could not be brave enough to check my pack! Anyway if it won't qualify for overhead baggage it's too much surely?
allan
Freedrik said:And the sound of the wood against paving stone and gravel sings a song all its own.
falcon269 said:A song I stop for, and let pass.
Dauntdeb said:I bought one of those "noodles" you use in the swimming pool to help float. I cut the noodle into six pieces across and then one cut vertically on one side to protect all the parts and used duct tape to connect all the pieces.
When returning from Santiago earlier this year they put my pole through separately as 'outsize baggage' or similar. Unusually for Ryanair they didn't demand extra money, but I guess they're used to (and forgive) pilgs in Santiago Airport. Buen Camino!Al the optimist said:I have some that collapse small enough to go in my pack. Having said that would I have trouble getting them through security?
allan
Jackflap said:Fairly simple answer. A stick finds you on the camino, you dont need to bring one. And definitely not plastic ones. A wooden stick will do just fine. Use and enjoi what nature has to offer.
Flatcat said:I just Spent over $250 on some carbon light weight poles 200 grams per set!!
Our you saying that there's a possibility that they may be taken?
There colapseable and would be checked in with luggage!
Flatcat said:I just Spent over $250 on some carbon light weight poles 200 grams per set!!
Our you saying that there's a possibility that they may be taken?
There colapseable and would be checked in with luggage!
C clearly said:I took Black Diamond collapsible poles (from MEC) a few months ago and loved them for their light weight and compactness. If they fit in your checked bag there would be no problem. I did that but am thinking I'd try to take them in my carry-on bag next time.
Thxnreyn12 said:Flatcat said:I just Spent over $250 on some carbon light weight poles 200 grams per set!!
Our you saying that there's a possibility that they may be taken?
There colapseable and would be checked in with luggage!
If your poles are in your checked bag, they are as safe as anything else in the bag. My poles always get collapsed and put in a checked bag. Eight successful trips to Spain and counting!
Put them in a mailing tube you can get from UPS or elsewhere...I will be flying from Mexico City to Madrid for my Camino and will be bringing my aluminum Pacer Poles (with rubber tips to avoid any irritating clicking noises on pavement). Has anyone had experiences with flights originating from Mexico to know if they will let you bring them on in your carry-on backpack? I suppose I could pack them in a separate package and check them as baggage, but I don't know what the odds of their not making it would be. The flight is a direct, non-stop flight.
I would really like to take a wood hiking pole/stick but I am a little concerned with transport from the USA. I am planning on flying into Madrid then taking the train to Pamplona and starting the Camino from there. Anyone fly recently from the states with this type of situation? Any advice?
Dear Auld:
Although I love my 8-euro stick bought at the Samos Monastery in Sarria, and use it on urban treks back here in the States, this stick, that unscrews into portable sections for ease of transport, is very tempting...
http://www.brazos-walking-sticks.com/travelers-walking-stick-55
[ETA: Of course, now I see that Auld asked about this a year and a half ago or so. I didn't notice this from the Forum's tweet link accessed on my mobile...sorry.
But for those interested in this Traveler Stick that I posted about above, the company has one available for $6 off in its "bargains" section. Here's the link:
http://www.brazos-walking-sticks.com/oak-travelers-stick-with-combi-spike-55
Hmmm, I sense another carpentry project for my beloved husband.
When I was last in O Cebreiro, I think I saw staffs for sale there in some of the shops (actually out front). Anyone that is currently walking or just finished have an idea?where can we get similar sticks in Spain for my niece and her family near La Coruna, where we will be landing?
Thank you.
Thanks for your quick reply. Did you notice whether they were sturdy and meant for real use, or perhaps they were meant for souvenirs?When I was last in O Cebreiro, I think I saw staffs for sale there in some of the shops (actually out front). Anyone that is currently walking or just finished have an idea?where can we get similar sticks in Spain for my niece and her family near La Coruna, where we will be landing?
Thank you.
Rambler
View attachment 10108I found this old school companion in the forest south of Tours. 62 days later, adorned with duct tape and other assorted bling it escorted me into SdC. I loved that stick like a pet. But at the end of the day it's a stick.
Well Ceci I wasn't being completely honest. It became more than a stick - to the extent that I took the train to Madrid from SdC because I didn't think they'd let me take it on the plane without a hassle.
My sister lives in Madrid and hosts that stick, my Uncle Bob's Camino stick (from the mid 90's) and my other stick from the Le Puy route. (Picture attached). My sister Jill keeps them on her terrace, displayed prominently. When I talk to her I always ask "How are you?" "How is Sandi?" (my niece) and "how are the sticks?"
I'm sorry if I came across as minimizing the importance of the walking stick. I think we're kindred spirits though in considering their importance as emotional over practical.
Costco has some very nice carbon fiber poles for $29.95. I prefer them to my Black Diamond poles.
I have consistently found that longevity is pretty directly related to price. The cheaper sprung poles just do not last long in regular use compared to their more expensive counterparts.Hard to argue with that price!
I have consistently found that longevity is pretty directly related to price.
Thanks for your quick reply. Did you notice whether they were sturdy and meant for real use, or perhaps they were meant for souvenirs?
Has anyone else seen wood walking sticks/staffs in O Cebreiro?
Thanks again.
Ceci
Unsprung poles are a quite different proposition when it comes to longevity. Apart from replacing the rubber tips when they wear through and an even less frequent prospect of having to replace the whole bottom tip, there is no reason they shouldn't last forever. I still have a pair of Leki Enzian poles - the first technical walking poles that I purchased over a decade ago. They were recently joined by a pair of carbon fibre poles from Komperdell..The Costco poles are not spring loaded. I know some people like those, and I have a pair of Swix with springs, but they don't see much use. I will say I know my poles, in that we have every type of alpine ski, xc ski, snowshoe and hiking pole known to man, and we find those Costco poles very well made. They would not be here with me in France if they weren't. I have some Black Diamonds hanging in the garage at home.
Ceci,
I have definitely seen sturdy wooden hiking poles for sale at O Cebreiro! Why not write the hosts at your first planned stop for info on price and availability? Perhaps they might send a photo or two ?
MM
I would really like to take a wood hiking pole/stick but I am a little concerned with transport from the USA. I am planning on flying into Madrid then taking the train to Pamplona and starting the Camino from there. Anyone fly recently from the states with this type of situation? Any advice?
Bought a wooden stick in one of the souvenir shops in SJPP. Took ages to choose just the right height, color, design etc but then left it behind in my room when I left on my first day!! lol. Never mind! Hope someone else got good use out of it
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