Quadrupedal Waltz

Post date: May 01, 2016 3:19:42 PM

Bipedalism was one of the defining characteristics in the march to what is now Homo sapiens. Some say walking is the act of falling forward and arresting the fall with each step. I'm sure the early pioneers fell a lot. Probably some young whippersnapper Australopithecus with a thorn pierced through his nose and his hair slicked back with beet juice tried it out- "hey look Ma, no hands". To which the mother replied, "knock it off junior, you're going to hurt yourself." But junior was on to something and it stuck.

Hiking is long days of modified bipedalism, at least for most. Most use trekking poles, though some have strong opinions against using them. One of the "raging debates" on the trail. So most use poles and do what I call the "quadrupedal waltz." There are many ways to dance with your poles on the trail. Uphill, most do the double pole every 4th step move, propelling themselves up the hill with the added push from the poles. Along straightaways it's the alternating pole method placing a pole every third step or so. Along a nice flat section of trail that is slightly downhill, it's the no pole method that becomes common- the poles are lifted and held behind the hiker parallel to the ground as he speed walks or even jogs slightly down the trail. Then there's the hold them in one hand routine, done most commonly when walking on pavement. And multiple variations with other refinements and style.

Poles sometimes can cause problems, most commonly when they are planted and get caught in a root or rock crevice. Sometimes they break like one of my black diamonds did just after the Smokies. Rarely they cause a fall, and, if you're in a rocky downhill area, can cause a significant injury. If you're around others and do a real flailing klutzy fall, there is a slim possibility of impaling your hiking partner...but very slim.

Overall, the prevailing opinion is that trekking poles are good partners in the waltz through the woods.