 Don't worry about it. It created itself  Actually I've just remembered a bit more about how I use my sticks up/downhill and it wouldn't work with a pole at all. Basically I plant it ahead (at an angle perhaps) while gripping it near the top and move my hand down it as I approach it. Sticks make that a very smooth, natural operation. Still some power transmission uphill at least but probably more of a (useful!) stability aid overall. The other thing that helps with doing that is that these sticks are long - roughly up to my shoulder. So very different really.
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 How things have changed
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wait a minute.. maybe they did use 2 poles !
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| Edited: 23/03/10 20:18 |
"Xavier. You're a troll. Or simply just an ignorant buffoon.
I don't use a GPS. But I can see where they have their uses. I do use a mobile phone however. It beats the hell out of waving desperately and blowing a whistle.
Oooo, hang on. Whistles. Maybe a little too"
No, just an oldie with 17 years in the infantry behind me... taught to read a map at about age 8 and never used a whistle to summon help, as I've never needed any yet. But maybe when I pass my 70th I might need those 6 blasts a minute!
As for those guys above with poles; bring back DPM! Not that it would do any good against a snowy background...
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| Edited: 23/03/10 20:22 |
What a lot of blather about nothing. Every one will make up their own mind about poles etc. Walking sticks have their uses and place. I like my big heavy Blackthorn with its bone handle and use it if going among cattle, easy fields and open moors. I also like my cheapo bought in Keswick years ago that I can fasten to the back of my pack and use if I want extra support. My Pacers I use if I want to move fast and steady on reasonable surfaces. but I will also do with out any stick or pole, when I dont want to carry one. Its horses for courses. I do carry a phone on the hills but it is only switched on to ring the gaffer to say when I will be home or to request a lift. I also use a GPS but only as a pedometer. Again it's what suits me and my style and others will do their own thing and not be pushed in to what is not right for them. Blather blather blather.
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 "Xavier. You're a troll. ... No, just an oldie with 17 years in the infantry behind me... Then respect the kit preferences of others.
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 Who cares - do what you want.
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 > No, just an oldie with 17 years in the infantry behind me... My experience of the infantry is that there's one thing that stops them using poles at all: the personal weapon. Very rarely carried anywhere other than in the hands, when on active foot duty.
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 You could always prod aggressively with your pole at the chap with an AK47 intent on killing you...
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 You could always prod aggressively with your pole at the chap with an AK47 intent on killing you... I always knew ed was dangerous. He is too fond of his AK47. 
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Make tea not war!
But I drink coffee. Why make me drink tea? People have gone to war over tea but you don't get that over coffee. Its the safer drink.
Good weapon the AK47, simple and effective or so I've heard. Plus you can shoot it left and right handed, it doesn't clog up in desert conditions like the pre-modification SA80s IIRC. I think if the AK47 was a pole it would be a wooden stick, nice and simple and useable in either hand. Whereas the SA80 is the pacer poles, only fits one way and like pacer poles are prone to slipping up (unless you modify yours by takming the handles off and putting on a BD flicklock poles. Isn't Ed the one using MK tentpoles for trekkingpoles? One hard prod and they'll snap surely. BTW can those infantrymen please tell me why mils are better than degrees? I mean splitting 360degrees up into smaller divisions seems to me to reduce accuracy unless there's something I'm missing through not having this infantry experience of some.
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 Isn't a mil the size a 1 metre object appears at 1 km, something to do with calculating range for artillery?
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Surely in that single finger example they're using the wrong finger?
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Ah but I have just (finally) sourced some Gripon poles....90g each and strong enough for load-bearing descents 
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.jpg) Where Ed? Google only comes up with grip on pole in a context I'm not going into
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Through a French mate AL - and I think on a website too but no pics so will have to call them to check they are what I want. Why, you interested?
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Could be, I've never even heard of them to be honest Ed so would appreciate a pic when you get yours. What is different about them - apart from 90g each obviously.
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