- Let's engage in some real talk about trekking poles,
to trekking pole or not to trekking pole,
that is the question.
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This is my show, gosh, darn.
Oh, this is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.
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What's up friends, I'm Miranda,
and I want to talk about trekking poles.
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Talking about some trekking poles.
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Ooh, that Hill was hard.
Easy to stand up, easy to sit down.
Oh, your knees are sore, mine aren't
because of my trekking poles.
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I feel like there's a misconception in the outdoors
about whether or not you need trekking poles, and so,
I just want to set the record straight,
and talk about not only when you should use trekking poles,
but also how you should use them.
The reality with trekking poles
is that everybody is different.
By using trekking poles, you can help distribute
some of the weight that's on your legs,
onto your shoulders and your back, and so,
you become more like a goat.
(goat baas)
A little goat human.
(goat baas)
So stable.
Depending on your terrain,
or how much weight you're carrying,
these can make a huge difference in your level of comfort
when you're backpacking.
If you have any hip or lower body injuries or issues,
by all means, I would suggest trying trekking poles.
Hiking is, for the most part, a lower body workout.
Trekking poles make it a full body workout.
Also, if you're crossing a river,
trekking poles are crucial for helping you stay stable
in the water.
Trekking poles can also be helpful
if you're using a tarp shelter or need them
to set up your tent, and apparently,
you can use them to splint a break
if you break your leg or something.
I can't guarantee that, but that's what I've heard
with trekking poles.
(Miranda burps)
Excuse me.
For my trekking pole using friends,
just a quick couple of tips.
When you're using your trekking poles,
you want your hand to go up through the strap,
and then down onto it onto the handle.
This is just so that you're trapping the strap
of the trekking pole between your hand and the handle.
Also the bottom of your trekking pole will extend.
Most of them either have numbers on them
or a spot that says stop.
So extend the bottom of your trekking pole to there,
and then, you can adjust the middle section.
You want the length of your trekking pole
to allow your arm to be at a 90-degree angle
when you're walking.
This means that when you're going uphill,
your trekking poles will be a little bit shorter,
and when you're going downhill,
they're going to be a little bit longer.
(beep)
90-degree angle up through the strap, feeling good,
feeling stable, so efficient,
using all of my limbs to hike on this trail.
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That being said, if you are using trekking poles,
you need to be aware of where you're putting them
in the same way that we're aware of where we're stepping.
Don't put your feet where they don't belong,
and don't put your trekking poles where they don't belong.
As long as striking poles are used properly,
they are not going to cause additional erosion
on an already established trail,
but if you're putting your trekking poles
outside of the actual designated trail,
you can post hole, and that can collect water,
and that can increase erosion.
Don't put them wide, keep them in tight.
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Real talk, trek poles.
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So be careful when you're using trekking poles,
and also, keep in mind that there are some sensitive areas
where using trekking poles is just never a good idea.
If you're on rocky terrain or any spot
where the tips of your trekking poles
are going to scuff up the rocks,
this falls into the same leave no trace idea
where you don't want to be making lines
or ruining the trail for other people.
If that's the case, you can always get rubber tips
for your trekking poles, but again,
you're just like trying not to be a bad steward
of the outdoors.
Also, don't stab plants.
I feel like that goes without saying, but don't stop plants
with your trekking poles.
So here are the situations
when you shouldn't use trekking poles.
If you're in a fragile ecosystem,
where trekking poles are going to damage the environment,
don't use them,
if it's just going to be extra weight on your pack,
don't carry them.
If it's mostly flat ground,
and you're not carrying a lot of weight,
don't bring trekking poles.
For those of you who, oopsie,
for those of you that don't like trekking poles,
look, trekking poles aren't destroying trails.
People walking off-trail is what's destroying trails,
so just acknowledge that you don't necessarily know
whether or not someone needs trekking poles.
There's no need to pass judgment on someone else
just because they're using something that you're not.
Let's all just agree to be kind to each other,
and acknowledge that we're all having
our own hiking experience.
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Trekking pole, trekking pole, de, de, de, de, trekking pole
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So, did we settle the debate on whether or not you need
tracking polls?
Probably not.
There is not a yes or no answer to this question.
Everybody's situation is different.
As always, just be respectful of other people
on the trail outdoors.
If you have your own opinions on trekking poles,
go ahead and let me know in the comments below.
If you enjoyed this video, hit like, go ahead and subscribe
and I will see you guys outside.
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- [Man] You are so Miranda.
I am such a Miranda.
She's the blonde one, right?
Alright, let's talk about something.
I know something about, Dragon Ball.