I face planted the pole! I'm fine, my nose was always a funny shape anyway 
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Ouch, that's not good! Thanks guys, there are some useful suggestions in here among all the... er... friendly discussion!
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No wonder you don't use them anymore. I know of someone who managed to get one stuck in the back of the knee. Apparently they carried her down the hill with it sticking out of her leg and took an operation to remove plus a year of gradual strengthening to recover. She doesn't like them anywhere near her neither. However I'd still give them a try. I suspect that people need to learn a bit about pole use. As a tool they are good but with any tool you need to know when they should be used as well as how (which has been discussed a lot on this thread). Perhaps it might be worth making a few comments on this aspect. One thing I have learnt is that poles and boulder/rock strewn routes do not match. It is all too easy to jam them in a crack and come a cropper like monkey girl. I've done a pole vault with a flick from the poles before now. Fortunately I landed on my rucksack having done a full somersalt. If I was to score it I reckon it was at least a 5.6. Also there are times when it is wise to take your wrists out of the straps. When I did that spectacular flip I had my hands out of the pole straps and it was a good thing too. I reckon if I hadn't it would have hurt much more. If you want to learn good technique I think TGO mag reviewed some poles in the last year and in the preamble write-up was a few comments about their use. I think that was where I learnt good pole use. Anyway there were sensible comments, some I figured out and others I hadn't thought of. I must admit that some of the advice would have meant I'd never have bought my first pair if I'd seen the son't before buying. Some of the times not to use them are the times I'd prefer to have them in use. It is one thing to know how to use the straps and good technique with the grip and poleplacement, etc. but there are times to use them and times not to. Afterall you don't want to look like monkey girl (no offence meant BTW but anything that leaves the claret leaking from your head is not a good look IMHO). I had mate who fell once, falling is where his talent is, and managed to damage his wrist and also resulted in a major cut to the head. He got up and carried on down the hill like he normally does when he falls over but he kind of got the impression things were bad by the look of people passing the other way. I guess you'd kind of figure the look of horror on their faces isn't normal for most people. Some are probably used to it.
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 I used to use poles, as I have an ankle that was re-constructed a while back. But I was coming off a summit with them one day, and slipped. A pole got stuck between 2 rocks and I face planted it, broke my nose and fractured my skull. Lots of blood everywhere and a really unpleasant walk down. I don't use them anymore!! Be careful all you pole users!!
I didn't have poles with me on a trip a few years ago. I slipped on an innocuous piece of rock. I put my hands out to break my fall and they went either side of a ridge-shaped rock in front of me, and I face planted it, broke my nose and required 10 stitches to my head. Lots of blood everywhere and a really unpleasant walk down, ameliorated by 4 members of Galloway MRT and my winter skills instructor. If I'd had poles, I would have broken my fall effectively. ;-)
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Which part of the Galloway hills? Can you recommend a good backpacking route up there? Sorry off topic but I'm hoping to get up there very soon. Need ideas. I had thought of something along the lines of the Bruce's Crown.
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Ttg, sorry, it happened in the Cairngorms. Galloway were up there on exercise and happened upon us shortly after I fell. I've not walked in the Galloway hills, but they always look very inviting when I drive by on the motorway. Post up a thread for some ideas, I'm sure you'll get some good ones.
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So to sum up: accidents happen, with or without poles! The last time I borrowed one to use was when I went up scafell pike and I soon figured out that there are times when it's better to put it away. It was very helpful on the relatively even (although very steep!) parts but near the top where it was all broken rock it was a liability.
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 Also there are times when it is wise to take your wrists out of the straps. When I did that spectacular flip I had my hands out of the pole straps and it was a good thing too. I reckon if I hadn't it would have hurt much more. Coffpacerpolescoff...
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Coffoverpricedcoff...
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BTW anyone bought from the Rhodes website? They are showing at something like £67 for the alloy pacers. If they're £100 elsewhere then that would be a bargain.
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I think £100 is for the carbon fibre pacers, IIRC alloy ones were £80ish when I got mine so £67 is still a good price mind. Coffoverpricedcoff...
Touche! 
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Touche! Indeed, a pair of poles can be used in extremis to provide entertainment in the form of a fencing match
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 croquet is an option with pacers
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 Two are better than one if you want a goal, and it's a bit chilly to use your jerseys...
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Golf too perhaps? I reckon a pacer'd make a good chipper.
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 Mine have come in handy as a gaff when the opportunity for a salmon supper has presented itself. My Titanium Goat poles can also be converted into a 'legal' fishing rod if required.
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| Edited: 29/03/10 14:17 |
i thought you had the ones that converted into a sniper rifle?
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