GG Lighttreks – transporting?

I've been pondering the same thing. Currently, my plan is to go to a Salvation Army or Good Will and try to get a cheap duffle bag that will hold my pack an a tube with the trekking poles. I can then toss it when I get to my destination. In my case I'll be able to get 2 duffle bags since my wife is meeting me at the end of my JMT hike and can bring the other along for my return trip.

Any better ideas?

10x16x24 inches is the maximum allowable carry-on size for Southwest, so the poles exceed that, but you'd think that a slightly long but narrow tube could be slid just fine into the back of a luggage bin. Considering how lax most airlines tend to be when enforcing the "1 carry-on + one SMALL personal item" rule, I doubt you'd have a problem. I see people allowed on all the time carrying to full-sized carry-ons and shoving them both in the bin. (Pet-Peeve of mine)

As far as check baggage, Southwest's policy for checked bags is they cannot exceed 62 total inches (L+W+H). For your poles with a length of 33 and a diameter of what, maybe 3-4", it doesn't seem you'd have to worry about an extra charge, but theres' always the issue of odd-shaped items.

You'll probably have to call them to confirm.

>10x16x24 inches is the maximum allowable carry-on size for Southwest, so the poles exceed that, but you'd think that a slightly long but narrow tube could be slid just fine into the back of a luggage bin

Most airlines do not allow ski poles as carry-ons, so I would guess trekking poles would fall into the same category, even when collapsed.

I put my collapsed (non GG) trekking poles into a heavy cardboard tube, and put that into a duffle bag along with my pack.

Calling the airline is the best idea.

TSA won't let ski (trekking) poles through as carry-on baggage; gotta check it.

Outbound, this is not a major problem, although you might get charged for a 2nd checked bag unless it's in a duffle with your pack. The problem comes between the airport and the trailhead. What to do with the mailing tube, since you don't want to carry it on your trek?

Because I'm ending my trek on a Sunday and the PO and UPS Stores will be closed, I can't buy a replacement mailing tube before I have to catch my early morning flight on Monday. Therefore, after claiming my baggage, and before I get on the trail, I'm planning to mail my tube to myself at the hotel where I have reservations on the night before my homeward flight, marked "hold for arrival on Aug 24". Check with your hotel first to be sure they will accomodate this. I'll stuff my unneeded duffel inside the tube and both will be waiting for me when I come off trail. Then I'll reverse the process.

On prior flights, I've always just strapped my Leki's to my pack in the duffle. Being metal, they survived the beating of baggage handlers unscathed. However, I'm not taking any chances with my Lightrek4 carbon fiber poles. One good sideways blow from another suitcase or from being thrown onto a conveyor could spell doom.

Bob,

Excellent idea – stuffing the duffel into a mailing tube for forward mailing. I too have been seeking a solution for transporting my GG sticks.

Thanks.

Mark

I got a little carried away describing this in another Lighttrek thread, thought I might as well mention it here… I got the short version, at 30", and they fit easily into a size medium Jam. They also fit pretty easily into an Exos 58; they'll fit in an Exos 46, but they're jammed in there pretty tight and it takes a little finesse. Granted, from the sounds of it you'll have to check the pack if you stow your poles in there, but if you have to check the poles anyway… or if you're doing a trip like Isle Royale where your pack will be stashed on a ferry, well, I'd just stash the poles right in my pack. With the longer poles, you might have to run up the extension sleeve, maybe pad a slightly projecting part with your sleeping pad or something, but it should work fine.

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