What's your opinion on dual wielding hiking sticks? Useful strategy or just a meme for tryhards?
>>2806955nigga they're $30 just try them and decide for yourself god damn
you should use them if you like to use them
>>2806955Single wielding is retarded because you only use one side of your body. Single wielding is only viable if you have some kind of disability. I like using poles because that way I my upper body while hiking and can go further and faster. Also they are good for trail running too.
is there a shortage of sticks in the area?
>>2806955Single pole only slows you down when walking downhill. Two poles alow you to send it downhill.
>>2806955hiking poles are most useful tool for hiking in mountains. i don't understand how everyone (including me) got memed they were for old ladies
>>2806955I like to just use one because it helps me go down slopes easier and so I can poke shit with it
>is nearly everyone who goes hiking right about trekking poles, or should I listen to the autistic Larpers on /out/?Quite a conundrum
Three poles is the optimum amount, but women can utilize it most effectively by shoving the third up their vagoo and since women don't go outdoors, you will never see the strategy. Men can imitate it to a lesser degree by using a zip tie to fix the pole to their "pole" but unless you're hard the entire time it's nowhere near as effective
>>2806991>he doesn't cram a pogostickngmi
>>2806955However fast and far you can go without them, you can go faster and farther with them.
>>2806955One of the best pieces of gear you can buy. I was a skeptic but after getting some cheap ones I used them enough to wear off the carbide tips and completely destroy them. The most important uses for me are crossing rivers and creeks, providing more points of contact when walking on slippery rocks and while descending to take much of the weight off my knees.
>>2806983When I first started hiking in local state parks that were mostly flat and with well maintained trails and easy terrain, the only people using them are old ladies. It wasn't until I moved closer to the mountains and started dealing with steeper terrain, crossing rivers, and "trails" that were actually just muddy creek beds that I saw their value. Even then, took me about 5-10 hikes to get used to using them.
>>2806972>Single wielding is only viable if you have some kind of disability.true. I have a sorta bum leg which gives me crappy balance and I only use one when I am just trapsing about in a more leisurely fashion but if I am going far or carrying any wieght at all I will use two. But one is way better than none
>>2807019You’re an idiot.>hike in local parks>its all flat, mild terrain>see old ladies using poles>doesn’t occur to you that other places have more difficult terrain>are told that poles are good for steep terrain >”nah they’re just for old ladies lol fr fr no cap”11° retarded
>>2807039Nobody "told" me anything, I simply observed only old ladies using poles and figured that's who mainly used them. I wasn't scrounging the internet for the optimal way to do a 4 mile loop in my local state park on a sunday morning lmao
Why don't you stop being a fatherless retard for one moment and source your own hazel stick, Shaquan? They are free and there are millions of them innaforest, a lot of them perfectly straight with beautiful colours and gradients. Of course this would require you to go out, Shaquan, which we both know you have never been and will never be.
>>2807042>I just discovered /out/ last weekendWe have this thread every week, newfag
>>2807047>when I first started hiking10 years ago dumbass
>>2807091Yeah, I bet your daily hike from your car to McDonald's definitely warrants poles
>>2806955Single sticks are superior.They make me feel like a wizard and wanderer.
>>2806991How are you not constantly hard when /out/
>>2807435Who says I'm not?
Eh, i have a pair, just cheap ones, and sometimes i think about getting some nice new ones because i really like having them for tarp camping.but then i remember i never end up bringing them anyway...
You're gonna look super dorky but I swear they're the best things I've ever gotten for hiking
>>2806974I met an Australian once who decided to hike the mountains near me with a stick. He was 20 something and getting passed by old ladies (who had trekking poles).It's always funny to see you flatlanders talk a big game when you've never actually been on a real mountain.
>>2807593I live in the mountains. I bet you live at sea level
>>2807593I met an Australian once. He called me a cunt and kept walking
>>2806955They're good for inclines while wearing a pack.
>>2806955hiking sticks do work in reducing fatigue when hiking with a heavy pack. However they're a meme if you're traveling lightly.
>>2807620>>2806983>>2807019anybody who doesn't use trekking poles is either a flatlander or under 30.And if you're under 30, you should still use them to prevent your knees from getting fucked.t. 32 years old and has fucked up knees from years of hiking up and down mountains without polesTrust me, even if you're 20 and have healthy knees, you should still be using trekking poles. Don't wait until after your knees are fucked up like I did.
>>2807620Ironically I do live at sea level and the mountains are right on the water so I often go from 500 feet to 6,000 feet in 3 to 5 miles depending on the hike.If you "live in the mountains" and don't use trekking poles than you probably live somewhere where you can get to 12k feet but start at 9.
>>2809354Best gear investment I ever made.I absolutely make them longer on the way down.
>>2809354Your knees are fucked from years of being obese or being a tradesclown.
>>2806972A single pole is pretty good if im carrying a rifle, which is always. I don't really like using poles at all other than in real nasty bouldery creeks.
>>2807528Mint for tarp camping. Set up a cozy wee job in alpine this summer, had a good boulder at the other end too. Granted it was pretty mild weather, we did have a bit of rain amd wind which sounded very cool lashing at my sturdy tarp. Yeah a really need to get a good tent, proper weather would make for a rough time up there.
>>2809354I own a pair and find them useful mostly when carrying a heavier pack or definitely when snowshoeing. Otherwise they're too awkward and potentially hazardous when im relying on them more that making sure I have good footing. guess I'm only 28 though so you're right
I use to use trekking poles until I had one snap after overuse. They're also awkward and I never really needed one on steeper elevations. If I need something to lean on I use my staff.
>>2809811>>2809533>Trekking poles are awkward and potentially hazardous.>Don't really need them on steeper elevationsYou both are retarded. One of you is probably the retard that keeps making stick threads and neither of you live near any real mountains.
>>2809906I'm not trying to discourage anyone from using them I just had a lot easier of a time not using them.
I use to use a backpack until I had one tear after overuse. They're also awkward and I never really needed one on 2 mile loop trails. If I need to carry something I use my car.
>>2809906What is your definition of "real" mountains?
>>2810827If you have to ask: you don't live anywhere near one.>>2809953>Trekking poles are awkward so I don't use them and drive everywhere>I consider 2 mile loops a hikeAnd you felt obligated to post
>>2810897I live in Colorado, and in my experience trekking poles are more of a hassle than they're worth in most situationsAlso the second guy is baiting you
>>2806955I dual wield with my full auto crampons
>>2811022>and in my experience Then you've never done anything significant. Full stop.
>>2809533>they're too awkward and potentially hazardous>They're also awkward and I never really needed one on steeper elevations.Why is /out/ filled with shitposters? This bait is so low quality it's not even funny.
>>2811033It's a Shitposting & Memes but Outdoors related boardAnyone who goes outside is too busy going outside to post here
>>2806955There's almost no drawback to duel wielding. When it's inconvenient, you can just grip both sticks in one hand.I personally really like using hiking polls because I like to use my arms. Also, make the sticks short so you can push down and pogo off the ground rather than pull yourself up all the time.
>>2806955>What's your opinion on dual wielding hiking sticks?Idunno, why don't you go find a fucking tree and test it with branches you retarded cons00mer.
>>2811024Sounds like goalpost moving
>>2811022>I live where the base of most hikes is 7,000 feet and most peaks are 9 to 10kHoly fuck you're retarded. Thanks for proving my point.
>>2811357Yeah 3k elevation gain is bitch mode. I go 3k feet from sea level to the top of the mountain in my back yard here in New York
>>2811024Nah come on man. In 4th and low 5th you need your hands to scramble. On anything more you need ropes. On snow you need an ice axe. And on waterfall ice you need two ice tools and screws.These things have the rep of being for old ladies because they aren't really necessary. Maybe they're nice sure. I don't think they've ever been considered core mountaineering equipment though.
>>2811022>I live in Colorado, and in my experience trekking poles are more of a hassle than they're worth in most situationscolorado doesn't have real mountains
>>2806955I’m getting older and my knees are shit. Saved me a bunch of times.
>>2811357Colorado has more 14ers than any other state and hundreds of 13ers but go off ig>>2811508Climbing from sea level is not the same as climbing at altitude so who cares? >>2811514Cope fatty. The east coast has no real mountains. I would be embarrassed if I ever used fattysticks east of the Rockies
ITT:>Posers who act like poles are always and unambiguously gay regardless of who's using them>Posers who act like they are absolutely necessary for "real" outdoors>Real /out/ists that actually have the experience to know when they're appropriate and when they're not
>>2811564>Start at 12k>Hike to 14kLOL
>>2807005This. Every little bit of work done by your arms is work your legs don't have to do. That goes for both balance and propulsion.
>>2811508>New YorkhahahahahahahaWait, New York looks like THIS?
>>2811706We call those foothills in the west.
>>2811591I pack in my poles and take them out when the terrain gets too steep. It's verry common where I live for the approach to be pretty flat and then get very steep very fast. Once the come out I keep them out the rest of the hike though because when I come back they help a lot when I'm tired--even on the "flattish" parts of the approach.I don't take them on hikes less than a few miles or hikes that are mostly flat--although there aren't a lot of "mostly flat" hikes where I live.
FUN ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WITH POLES - Practice swordfighting- Pimp cane walk- Drawing funny dicks in the sand- Trying to gallop like a majestic gazelle- Can help pick up trash- Practice swordfighting x2- Helps push away brush in certain types of bushwacking- Use it to jiggle quicksand for 15-20 minutes- Practice swordfighting x3
