Trekking pole technique

Rakesh, I sent you a PM concerning Goju, Aiki, and the like.

I use mine as if I'm cross-country skiing. That's a 1:1 pole plant to step ratio, with the pole plant being opposite side of the step.

Sorry if this is a stupid quesiton, but what's the usefulness of unbendable arm technique if it's supposed to prevent your elbow bending from downward force (or that's what it looks like on Youtube), whereas when you plant your poles you're exerting upward force on the elbow (from pole and triceps)?

"Sorry if this is a stupid quesiton, but what's the usefulness of unbendable arm technique if it's supposed to prevent your elbow bending from downward force (or that's what it looks like on Youtube), whereas when you plant your poles you're exerting upward force on the elbow (from pole and triceps)?"

The usefulness is that it works both ways, and also extends through your body. The way that it works is that you rely on your body structure to keep your arm in the position you put it in, rather than on main strength, which means that when someone is pushing on your arm and trying to bend it, you're actually just directing their force into the ground through your hips and legs (this is something you learn by feeling it and practicing it, and it can take years to get really good at it).

That's what leads to my semi-factious "unbendable butt" idea. If you develop the structure and technique that make your arm unbendable all the way to the ground, then when you move, you're moving with EVERYTHING at once. And then you have *power* no matter how strong you are (or aren't).

I gave trekking poles another shot this last trip, except I used just one pole this time. Cheap walmart $14 pole. I loved it and I will probably never hike without it again (would like to get a nicer one as it barely survived the trip).

I got a very good feel for it as I used it on a solo 7 day adventure in sequoia with several crumbly and scree covered cross country passes.

I pretty much ran through a variety of techniques with the thing, depending on terrain/stamina. My usual relaxed gait was a left right left right(stick) left right left right(stick), so my stick would be placed in front at either every other step on either the left foot or right (I switched it up)

BUT sometimes it was 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, sometimes I had both hands on that thing rowing up the hill like I was in a boat.

Also the natural way for me to use it (most of the time) was with the top of the pole in my palm, much like how a pimp walks with his pimp cane. Naturally I felt like the ladies were swooning with every pimp step I took which was an added bonus…Especially with a james brown collection blaring in my headphones

2 poles were a mess for me, 1 pole is just right. Pimp step, feels good….and really is the secret to effecient walking!

I hear ya. I use two poles but vary how often I plant them depending on my groundspeed. Flat land is something like 4steps for 2 plants- up steep hills is a 1:1 ratio (four appendage drive) it really helps. can be a good lat workout

> Cheap walmart $14 pole. I loved it and I will probably never hike without it again (would like to get a nicer one as it barely survived the trip).

Joseph,
I've had good luck with the flick-lock version, also $14 I believe. Can hold up my 150 lbs. I've got almost 200 miles on them.