If there may be one fixed in backpacking it’s this: Fewer issues are higher than extra issues. There are in fact exceptions. Extra Bitter Patch Children are at all times higher than fewer Bitter Patch Children after a 15-mile day on the path. That is likely to be the one exception now that I give it some thought. So, yeah, usually, you’re going to need to keep away from doubling up on belongings you actually solely want one in all.
Alongside these traces, a current discovery of mine is paring down trekking poles to only one pole when on a backcountry journey. That is clearly an idea as outdated as strolling itself however it is usually one which many backpackers have apparently forgotten or ignored. Not less than young-ish, gear-obsessed backpackers. I’m not speaking about carting alongside a knotted wizard workers like Gandalf on the path (although that’s very cool if it’s your factor) and even shopping for a flowery carbon mountaineering workers. You have already got what you want.
The idea is kind of easy. As you’re packing for a backpacking journey, pull out your trekking poles after which—right here’s the essential half—put one in all them again. Simply deliver the opposite one. Straightforward, proper?
I noticed this made much more sense than bringing two on a backpacking journey final summer time once I broke one of many nuts that tightens the telescoping motion on one of many poles halfway via the primary day’s hike. (I’m a very massive fan of those cheap and usually sturdy Cascade Mountain Tech poles—the breakage was my fault for tightening the nut with my multitool). At first, I used to be extraordinarily bummed that my pole was damaged and for a time I attempted to make use of a department as a substitute in order that I’d nonetheless have the steadiness of a four-legged animal that two poles present. However that rapidly obtained outdated, and I pitched the department.
Shepherds have been utilizing simply the one pole (workers) for 1000’s of years. Perhaps they’ve been onto one thing. Photograph: Eshtiaghyi
Seems although, one pole is lots. Until you’re balancing 70 kilos in your again whereas strolling over free scree, I’m not likely certain why you’d ever really need two poles. One gives loads of help and stability.
River crossings are almost as simple with only one. In truth, fly anglers carry just one to to maintain themselves upright in thigh-deep, fast-flowing rivers and so they’re simply tremendous. When climbing or descending steep rocky sections of a path, you should use each fingers as leverage on the one pole and it really works almost in addition to having each. Plus you will have one hand free to seize your telephone for a photograph, to drag out a map or GPS, to bandana sweat off your forehead, or to stuff your face with a Bitter Patch Child. It’s additionally simpler to faux you’re a foil-wielding fencer with simply the one.
Are you utilizing a tent that requires two trekking poles to arrange? You possibly can simply deliver a small tent pole, like this light-weight carbon fiber pole from Easton, folded up in your bag. Or transition to a tent that requires only a single pole. Or, when you’re mountaineering with two, both use your associate’s poles in the event that they’re stubbornly insisting on utilizing two or convert them to the Church of the One Pole and mix your poles to erect the tent.
As nice as trekking poles may be, it’s fairly nice to have one hand free on the path. Whether or not you simply stick it in your pocket or gesticulate wildly at the fantastic thing about nature, you’ll be stoked on the freedom and unburdened of 1 further piece of fancy camp gear.
