What is the correct way to use trekking poles?

Mountaineering, as a relatively leisure sport, has gradually been accepted by everyone. During the mountaineering process, we will always encounter some dangers. So for the sake of everyone's health, we will use some auxiliary tools, trekking poles are one of them. Trekking poles can better protect our cervical vertebrae, so let us learn about the correct way to use trekking poles!

1. Adjust the length: Trekking poles usually have three sections, two of which are adjustable. If one section is pulled too long and the other section is pulled too short, it is incorrect and will cause damage to the trekking pole. Many people do not know how much to pull out each of the two sections to be correct. Generally, there are scales from 105 to 140 on the two sections of a trekking pole that can be extended. The value obtained by multiplying your height by 0.66 is the appropriate height of the pole. Pull both sections to the corresponding scales and then fix them. This is the length of the pole you need.

Another way is to stand on the ground holding a trekking pole, let your arms hang naturally, raise your forearm to 90 degrees with your upper arm, and then adjust the tip of the trekking pole downward until it touches the ground; or place the head of the trekking pole 5 to 8 centimeters under your armpit, then adjust the tip of the pole downward until it touches the ground, and then lock all sections of the trekking pole. This is the length you need. Remember, when adjusting, the length of each section cannot exceed the maximum adjustment length of that section.

2. Use of wrist strap: Many people think that the function of the trekking pole wrist strap is to prevent the trekking pole from leaving one's wrist. In fact, the importance of the wrist strap is no less than the trekking pole itself. When we use trekking poles to go downhill, the impact force of the trekking poles should be transmitted to our arms through the wrist straps; when we go uphill, the thrust of the arms is transmitted to the trekking poles through the wrist straps, thus generating assistance for going uphill. The correct way to use the wristband is to pick it up, put your hand under the wristband, press the strap into your palm, and then gently grasp the handle, using the wristband to support the trekking pole instead of grasping the handle tightly and applying force.

3. The rubber cover used on the tip of the trekking pole is not only used to protect the tip of the pole. For example, when walking on hard rocks, cement, and asphalt roads, the effect of using a rubber cover is far better than that of an ordinary pole tip. It not only reduces the wear on the pole tip, but also provides better elasticity and friction. In addition, there are ice hoops with sharp steel tips suitable for use on ice surfaces, as well as a variety of hiking hoops suitable for different road surfaces.

4. Use two poles: Trekking poles have two main functions: balance and support. Land mammals generally walk on all fours to share the weight of their bodies. However, after humans evolved to walk on two limbs, the weight that was originally shared by four force points is now shared by two points. The load on the legs is inherently doubled. Add to that the weight of the backpack, and the load on the legs can be imagined when walking for a long time. Using a cane can increase the stress points and reduce the load on the legs, but if you only use one cane, no matter which side you put it on, the supporting force is not balanced (imagine a square table with three legs). The pressure reduced on the side of the cane will be transferred to the unused side, which will increase the possibility of injury due to uneven force. Therefore, trekking poles are mostly sold in pairs in Europe and the United States, and some brands have designed different styles for left and right hands to meet the different grip needs of the two hands. In China, due to the inherent awareness of traditional crutches and unclear understanding of the concept of trekking poles, many people still use a trekking pole in mountain sports. This is the biggest misunderstanding about the use of trekking poles.

The above is the correct way to use trekking poles. After my introduction, I hope everyone can understand the correct way to use trekking poles and avoid mistakes during use to ensure their health and to climb more smoothly. Of course, the editor also recommends that you go hiking frequently to relax when the weather is suitable. This is the best way to relieve stress.