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Forum » Why do americans use walking sticks when hiking?
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Thread: Why do americans use walking sticks when hiking?

post 1624371221 12-03-2020, 09:37 AM
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Why do americans use walking sticks when hiking?

Every video I see of americans hiking, they are using a walking stick or usually two. Wtf is this lol? I rarely ever see that in Norway. Only old people use those here. Always cringe when I see people using it. Bunch of pansies up in this bich. Are americans really fragile or just not used to hiking in the mountains?
post 1624371311 12-03-2020, 09:38 AM
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So we can fight off mountain lions in case we encounter one.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit softly.
post 1624371351 12-03-2020, 09:39 AM
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Tell me your thoughts on kettles
#
post 1624371431 12-03-2020, 09:39 AM
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Because most Americans are fat as chit and unathletic.

Don't get it twisted though, our most beta state moggs Norway
Not in the AM
post 1624371631 12-03-2020, 09:41 AM
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Once they
finish hiking
they shove it
into the asshol
as a sign of gratitude
of not facing a cougar/bear
post 1624371661 12-03-2020, 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted By jamalfudge⏩
Tell me your thoughts on kettles
lol aware.





"trekking poles" Goddamn we have fuking legs for a reason. Same with snowshoeing. Everyone wants to use poles when snowshoeing. Nothing gets in the way more imo.
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post 1624373981 12-03-2020, 10:08 AM
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Because they are such coomsumers that they can’t even conceive of something as basic as walking without buying kit for it?

Same as the Japanese.
post 1624374131 12-03-2020, 10:09 AM
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theyre used pretty regularly in the alps:
post 1624374401 12-03-2020, 10:13 AM
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I use them when backpacking for 2 reasons. The downhill wreck my knees, They need to be replaced but waiting as long as I can. Its only really steep downhill with a heavy pack. Second reason is they are my tent poles so when backpacking with hiking poles, I do not need to bring my tent poles saving weight for more beer and whiskey.
post 1624374701 12-03-2020, 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted By sgregor249⏩
theyre used pretty regularly in the alps:
always lol when I see people with serious hiking equipment that aren't scaling a dangerous mountain
See SuperHercules' sig
post 1624374711 12-03-2020, 10:15 AM
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it's so you can brutalize antifa out in nature if you see them
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post 1624374891 12-03-2020, 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted By witcher3fan83⏩
Because they are such coomsumers that they can’t even conceive of something as basic as walking without buying kit for it?

Same as the Japanese.
lol only the biggest goobers buy walking sticks.

we just find a good stick in the woods. good for swatting spiderwebs. we dont need em its just relaxing and enjoyable to use. *******
post 1624375011 12-03-2020, 10:17 AM
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I bought some and never used them. Going downhill with a pack on is terrible on your knees.


But then again it doesn't matter. Our human form is mortal and we're all slowly dying.
post 1624375031 12-03-2020, 10:18 AM
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Its because they are ridiculously beneficial for hiking....Im guessing you arent a hiker.

Brb massive improvements with stability crossing streams
Brb massive improvements taking load off your back with pack on
Brb clear spider webs
Brb full body workout
Brb workout load spread over your body provides significant improvements for your ability/mileage for multiday hikes..

I do LULZ when people use them for a 2 mile waterfall hike, however. 99% of the hikes the typical American undertakes dont require anything more than tennis shoes.
post 1624375111 12-03-2020, 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted By ShakeBrah⏩
always lol when I see people with serious hiking equipment that aren't scaling a dangerous mountain
BRB walking to walmart, better grab my poles
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post 1624375321 12-03-2020, 10:20 AM
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Because with the enormous amount of test levels in the blood of the average american man we need them to beat off the swarm of sl00ts surrounding us.
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post 1624375421 12-03-2020, 10:21 AM
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I used to make fun of them until I tried them. They work great if you have a pack and are working your way down a very rock trail or crossing a creek. They also come in handy if you have a tarp and need poles to create a shelter.
post 1624376451 12-03-2020, 10:32 AM
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Originally Posted By Scarrdbutsmartr⏩
Its because they are ridiculously beneficial for hiking....Im guessing you arent a hiker.
I have a bachelors degree in Outdoor Adventure Leadership, and have never seen one on a hike.

How in gods name did grandma Gatewood make it the entire length of the Oregon trail without a trekking pole?? Funny a shower curtain and keds were deemed essential, but $600.00 titanium and carbon fiber Titanuim Goat dual poles weren't...

The reason people think they are necessary is because it once was cool to have 70 lb packs. Now that lightweight hiking has taken off (as it should) and people have realized your pack really shouldn't weigh more than 15 or 20 lbs dry, the need for poles due to sore knees from overweight packs and generally out of shape individuals has evaporated.

Poles are generally touted as a way to get fit because they make you burn more calories, because they are a less efficient way to hike because you are holding more weight, and inefficiently using your upper body to do a job not designed for it.

That said-

If you have a legitimate reason to use them:

-Are out of shape or injured
- want to expend more energy cuz "fitness"
- like gadgets and buying chit
- hunt in the mountains and hike animal parts out on your back
-think a 70 lb pack means safety in the wilderness (it actually means more injury)
-or have inner ear and balance issues,


Then by all means, bring a pair of poles with you.

Opinionated eh??? lol
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post 1624376491 12-03-2020, 10:32 AM
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I use a stick I find but I usually take one for pushing away brambles cause I don't like getting my clothes caught and ripped, crossing streams, and in the winter the trails get slick and I like having an extra contact with the ground. Now that I think about it - it never crosses my mind to grab one when I went hunting, but then again I would have my shotgun in my hands. Maybe I just like having something in my hands, maybe I have some low level idea of needing protection when in the woods.

I think there is a natural inclination to it as well, the first time I took my daughter hiking she instinctively grabbed a stick to carry.
post 1624377071 12-03-2020, 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted By ShakeBrah⏩
always lol when I see people with serious hiking equipment that aren't scaling a dangerous mountain
There’s nothing serious in this picture lmao


Just a trail running pack because how else do you carry food/water if you’re trail running.


I did 50 miles with a 30 lb pack and trekking poles would’ve been nice to move weight from my lower body to my upper going downhill. Not needed but if I was a boomercel I would want them.
watchout your comments boyo ↓
post 1624377141 12-03-2020, 10:38 AM
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They're life savers for my knees when descending, especially steep, rocky sections.
Great for extra balance when trying to rock hop a river crossing
work great for a javelin toss
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post 1624377211 12-03-2020, 10:39 AM
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Lot of older people carry them even just walking around the neighborhood in case a deranged pitbull comes around. They can't run fast enough to get away from a pit. Once the jaws lock its over
post 1624377381 12-03-2020, 10:40 AM
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ha ha look at those goobers using equipment while performing an activity

why don't you just hike with no shoes too OP, you fukin pansy? leave your sleeping bag at home and sleep on the rocks too
post 1624377661 12-03-2020, 10:44 AM
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Did OP delete the video w/the Portuguese guide team all using walking sticks along with the one American?

In on thread backfire.
#
post 1624377861 12-03-2020, 10:45 AM
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You try walking up a mountain without them while your BMI is over 40 op.
post 1624377871 12-03-2020, 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted By MetroBrah⏩
Lot of older people carry them even just walking around the neighborhood in case a deranged pitbull comes around. They can't run fast enough to get away from a pit. Once the jaws lock its over
lol. That's a myth, genius.
post 1624377911 12-03-2020, 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted By Hutrapper⏩
I have a bachelors degree in Outdoor Adventure Leadership, and have never seen one on a hike.

How in gods name did grandma Gatewood make it the entire length of the Oregon trail without a trekking pole?? Funny a shower curtain and keds were deemed essential, but $600.00 titanium and carbon fiber Titanuim Goat dual poles weren't...

The reason people think they are necessary is because it once was cool to have 70 lb packs. Now that lightweight hiking has taken off (as it should) and people have realized your pack really shouldn't weigh more than 15 or 20 lbs dry, the need for poles due to sore knees from overweight packs and generally out of shape individuals has evaporated.

Poles are generally touted as a way to get fit because they make you burn more calories, because they are a less efficient way to hike because you are holding more weight, and inefficiently using your upper body to do a job not designed for it.

That said-

If you have a legitimate reason to use them:

-Are out of shape or injured
- want to expend more energy cuz "fitness"
- like gadgets and buying chit
- hunt in the mountains and hike animal parts out on your back
-think a 70 lb pack means safety in the wilderness (it actually means more injury)
-or have inner ear and balance issues,


Then by all means, bring a pair of poles with you.

Opinionated eh??? lol
the poles are a convenience, not a necessity. do some long distance mountainous trail running and you'll see. i've probably ran 20 races in the 50-120mi range and take poles with me every time.

i agree with you on the light and fast method for the most part. sometimes a heavy pack is needed to carry in a rope/rack/tent/sleeping bag/food for a long approach on a alpine style climb. i had a ~50lb pack for a 7mi approach with 5,000ft of ascent before i camped then climbed 2,000ft of class 5 rock the next day. don't regret taking the poles for the approach. i guess im straying away from your original point of easy hikes.
post 1624378201 12-03-2020, 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted By Hutrapper⏩
I have a bachelors degree in Outdoor Adventure Leadership.
Lulz
________

MFC

________
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post 1624378321 12-03-2020, 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted By sgregor249⏩
the poles are a convenience, not a necessity. do some long distance mountainous trail running and you'll see. i've probably ran 20 races in the 50-120mi range and take poles with me every time.

i agree with you on the light and fast method for the most part. sometimes a heavy pack is needed to carry in a rope/rack/tent/sleeping bag/food for a long approach on a alpine style climb. i had a ~50lb pack for a 7mi approach with 5,000ft of ascent before i camped then climbed 2,000ft of class 5 rock the next day. don't regret taking the poles for the approach. i guess im straying away from your original point of easy hikes.
i was mostly just opinionated and being a dick.

Sometimes people also need reason to get out. You know, like the gear almost gives them a reason to get out, and more power to them.

I just don't prefer them, especially when snowshoeing. When going around trees and up hills sometimes you need to grab trees and stuff to manouver and poles get in the way, plus when hauling a gear toboggan they are a detriment.

I also hate the commercialization of everything. You walk into a MEC and there are a thousand pairs. Instead of the basics people just want to buy trekking poles it seems.
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post 1624378421 12-03-2020, 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted By kcadrenalin⏩
Lulz
15 people a year accepted out of 500 applicants/ year.

But yea, it was a fuking riot. Would never spend 4 years in university any other way.

Technically its a Bachelors in Physical and Health Education and was a lot of physiology and Human Kinetics type stuff.
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