One Trekking Pole Or Two?

[Fluppy]

I am 4ft 8", so the trekking pole/s I purchase will need to be adjustable for my height. I have heard that some people use two trekking poles. Is this neccessary? Is it more beneficial to use two instead of one or is it just excess baggage?

[KarenT]

I started with one pole, but on the steep climbs and the sucking mud two poles will help as will your porter.

[Times two]

Go for a decent set of poles, one with two sets of adjustments so as they reduce to a smaller size and you won't have a problem. I too debated heavily before deciding to take my two poles to Kokoda. I'd been training with them for 8 months, and decided to take them just in case. I have bad knees, and there were some days I was using them like a pair of crutches!!!! They also saved me from many a fall, were lighter than the wooden stick, and allowed me to test the depth of the mud before plunging into it! There were a few times the track wasn't wide enough to use them, and I just tucked them under my arms, or attached them to the back of my pack until I needed them again. I did miss getting one of the hand-carved poles from the porters, but was lucky enough to be presented with one at the end of the walk – it now takes pride of place in my living room! To summarise – if you have trained with poles or have bad knees – take them both. If not, enjoy the stick your porters will provide (which by the way are very comfortable to lean on when tired!).

[petedowling]

take two poles the extension type that have spring loading fitted to them that "give " a little bit especially going down hills when all the pressure is on your knees. I found going down hills was twice as hard on my knees. Going uphill ,your poles just help with balance and timing as sometimes you put one foot in front of the other on the hard climb stretches.Some people in our group found one pole/stick was fine. poles srap easily to your pack ,so if you change your mind then no problems. I gave my poles (along with lots of other gear) to my porter/carrier at the end of the trip.

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