It is the downhill ski racing competition of the winter

Olympics. You watch a ski racer zoom down the slope manoeuvring

through the ski gates. However, you notice that something is

missing. The skier has on skis, boots, and a giant slalom skin

tight racing suit. You realize what? missing when their arms

flail about causing them to lose their balance on a patch of

ice. They are missing their ski poles. It is the cross country skiing competition of the winter

Olympics. You cheer from the crowd as the skiers fly down the

trail. Each skier pushes hard with their ski poles. However,

one skier is left far behind the pack because he does not have

any ski poles. His graceful cross country rhythm has been

interrupted due to a lack of balance. In both cases, the skiers lost the race because they were

missing their ski poles. Ski poles are vital because they help

maintain balance, provide support, and relieve some of the

pressure off your body. If the use of a ski pole is so crucial,

then why is it that many hikers do not use a hiking pole during

their hikes?You might not think of a hiking or trekking pole as a necessity

until you compare hiking to cross country skiing. In hiking you

traverse across a terrain of varying degrees and obstacles.

There is constant stress and strain on your muscles and joints

as you navigate through rocks, sandy areas, and elevated

terrain. Your knees and lower back are constantly adjusting to

the pressure placed on them. This can lead to soreness and

pain. This is comparable to the demands of cross country skiing. Hiking pain can be reduced by investing in a hiking or trekking

pole. Hiking poles have a wide range of benefits including:

improved balance, endurance, and ward off knee injuries. Hiking

poles can enable you to successfully cross streams and work

through steeper terrain. A mental side effect is that they can

boost your confidence allowing you tackle the hiking trail with

vigor. There are different types of hiking and trekking poles

available. There are long wooden poles, shorter aluminum poles,

snow poles, and ice axes. Want to beef up your regular hiking

pole? Hiking poles have various accessories to choose from

including: hand grips, shock absorbers, and camera mounts. If

you are going on a winter hike you can add a basket to your

pole. Another important aspect of your hiking pole is its tip.

The common tip is made of carbide. However, rubber tips are

also available. Each tip has pros and cons which should be

considered when purchasing a pole. Consult a hiking

professional to assess which pole is best for you. If you want more stability and less stress on your body consider

investing in a hiking or trekking pole. The ability to navigate

through difficult terrain will become a reality. Hiking poles

can cost money, but they are worth every penny. Monica Marty is a hiking fan and the webmaster of http://hikingtrailfinder. com/ where you will find a directory and information on Hiking

Author:
Monica Marty