Re: Hiking/trekking poles? Yay or Nay?

Siskuwihane wrote:
> Do you use them? Only one or a pair? Purchased or home made? Wood or 
> metal? Do you just pick up a stick along the way?

In May I attempted to hike the PCT. Unfortunately, my hike was cut short
by blisters so bad I could no longer walk. But it was almost cut shorter
by a knee injury.

In the past I would have said no to trekking poles, but 10 miles into my
  PCT hike my knee gave out for no apparent reason. I hiked on a bad knee
to mile 40 where I got a ride back into San Diego. There I purchased a
pair of Leki poles. Those poles allowed me to continue hiking with no
knee problems. They are also great when you are tired and stumbling
along. I have saved myself from a few painful falls because I caught
myself with my poles.

If the trail is fairly level with no rocks, I collapse them and tuck
them away. I prefer to hike without them (It is less work), but would
rather hike with them than have a hike cut short.