I notice that there has also been a discussion of trekking poles in this link:
http://glacierparkchat.com/chat/viewtop ... ight=poles
I think some of the poles mentioned (the Black Diamond Ascents) are no longer being made but I may be wrong.
I have never used poles but I got the impression on my last visits to Glacier that they would be quite handy for stability on downhill trial sections. I would like to hear some more opinions on the question of one pole versus two. It seems to me that most of the people I see on trails with poles (not counting those with wooden poles with little bells on them) have one pole and not two so there seem to be quite a few one-pole fans.
Have any of you tried two poles and switched to one or vice versa and if so, why?
I guess for day hikes I would lean toward one pole since I am more interested in the stability factor and am not really motivated by the thought of getting an upper body workout by using two poles. Perhaps that is erroneous thinking.
In using two poles, I have two fears:
1. I would get clumsy and trip over the poles.
2. I would get clumsy and accidently stab one of my hiking companions or some other, more innocent, hiker passing on the trail
Any place to rent poles around Glacier? If so, is the rental fee so high, it just makes better sense to buy them?
I suppose if I bought two poles and decided I only want to use one, I could give the other one to my wife.
I really know nothing about these poles so I appreciate all the comments on them.
Thanks,
Lyman