# I Pit Walking Poles **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 17, 2012, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261 "2012-11-17T00:31:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/61 "2012-11-17T23:19:19Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Brain fart – sorry! Should read long for climbing, short for descenting. Huh? I thought it made more sense the first way! When you’re climbing, the ground in front of you is higher, so a shorter stick works. etc. (For my part, I keep the stick at a fixed length. I’d get a solid wooden stick, but the collapsible kind store better in the back of my rather small car.) ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/62 "2012-11-17T23:50:02Z")
When ascending a hill on skis, you plant the poles more or less where you are standing, and push backwards, which propels you forward, as opposed to planting them forward and pulling yourself up. When you push the pole into the snow, it goes down a fair way unless the snow is packed, so length helps. As you push backwards, you go past the tip of the pole, so the longer the pole, the longer you can push before you have gone so far past it that you to pull it out and plant it beside you again. Conversely, when descending, you want to keep balanced by not raising you arms in the air (how would a boxer stand to avoid being knocked off his feet?) and you try to avoid getting the poles tangled up in the snow. Shorter poles are preferable for this. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/63 "2012-11-18T01:10:41Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’m not talking about people who are climbing a damn mountain, I’m talking about people walking down an ordinary suburban street. Noted. And while I mean no disrespect to your status as a moderator and respected poster and so on, this has got to be one of the lamest pittings I have ever seen. Walking pole: it’s a cane, only _lighter_! And _stronger_! Some people want to use that. Even if it is stupid, you have chosen perhaps the single most harmless group to attack i.e. recreational walkers. Tomorrow is football Sunday. If you need something to point and laugh at, tune in to the Chiefs. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/64 "2012-11-18T01:44:43Z")
The only person I’ve ever seen walking with a pole was a person who had a foot turned perpendicular to his direction of travel. If his torso was facing due north, his right foot would be facing damn near due east. I have no idea what caused that, or what it’s even called, but I’m entirely willing to believe it requires him to walk with some kind of mobile support. You know, support that moves around with him. Like something that can withstand some force along its long axis. Like a pole. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/65 "2012-11-18T02:04:48Z")
I can still use my carved walking staff, right? It’s traditional Ozark folk art. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Kumquat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4491bb/32.png) [@Gary\_Kumquat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Kumquat)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/66 "2012-11-18T06:43:49Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > I hike for a living. I don’t know of any professional who works in the woods that uses walking poles… > > …It’s a fad I’m actually curious as to what you do for a living, as not many people I’ve met would describe themselves as professional hikers. A couple of the mountain guides might, I guess. They both used trekking poles. As for it being a fad…seriously? Poles to aid balance and help with ascents/descents have been used for as long as people have had to walk outdoors. The only difference now (to repeat myself) is that they can now be made so light that more people use them. They’re a fad in the same way that backpacks and gloves are a fad. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/67 "2012-11-18T07:17:16Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > When ascending a hill on skis, you plant the poles more or less where you are standing, and push backwards, which propels you forward, as opposed to planting them forward and pulling yourself up. When you push the pole into the snow, it goes down a fair way unless the snow is packed, so length helps. . . . Thank you! Makes sense now. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/68 "2012-11-18T08:49:13Z")
Couldn’t be arsed to read this thread, but I passed on the OP’s sentiments to my old mates Steve Zatchij and Pawel Krazynsky, and they told him he could fuck off and they’ll carry on walking where they like. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/69 "2012-11-18T10:02:39Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > So bugger the OP and the horse he rode in on. Horses are assistive devices too. Sure, bugger his horse, but you’ve got the use a step-stool which is another assistive device. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/70 "2012-11-18T10:08:14Z")
What I wonder is why all the illiterates are having someone type their rants for them. The OP isn’t talking about people with medical issues. He’s not talking about people when they are hiking. She’s not even talking about the people who actually use them. The pitting, if you’d actually learned to read and not had a fifth grader read it for you, is about the fact that they are being sold to people for walking down the street normally, and apparently are made to be worn while driving. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/71 "2012-11-18T12:46:23Z")
She is, is she? Oh, wait a minute, it’s just Big T doing the infinite monkeys at keyboards thing. ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/72 "2012-11-18T13:41:02Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > What I wonder is why all the illiterates are having someone type their rants for them. The OP isn’t talking about people with medical issues. He’s not talking about people when they are hiking. She’s not even talking about the people who actually use them. The pitting, if you’d actually learned to read and not had a fifth grader read it for you, is about the fact that they are being sold to people for walking down the street normally, and apparently are made to be worn while driving. Where did your syphilitic reader monkey see that they were to be worn while driving? ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/73 "2012-11-18T13:45:28Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > What I wonder is why all the illiterates are having someone type their rants for them. The OP isn’t talking about people with medical issues. He’s not talking about people when they are hiking. She’s not even talking about the people who actually use them. The pitting, if you’d actually learned to read and not had a fifth grader read it for you, is about **the fact that they are being sold to people for walking down the street normally,** and apparently are made to be worn while driving. (Bolding mine) As has been stated before, for some people just walking down a flat city street can be a challenge, and you can’t always tell just by looking who’s in pain etc.. ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/74 "2012-11-18T13:53:48Z")
> [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > I can still use my carved walking staff, right? It’s traditional Ozark folk art. Sure, Harry. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/75 "2012-11-18T14:02:35Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Time to come out of the closet on this. I am part of a group of people that own dozens of poles. I demand reparations! mmm ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/76 "2012-11-18T14:10:06Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > What I wonder is why all the illiterates are having someone type their rants for them. The OP isn’t talking about people with medical issues. He’s not talking about people when they are hiking. She’s not even talking about the people who actually use them. The pitting, if you’d actually learned to read and not had a fifth grader read it for you, is about the fact that they are being sold to people for walking down the street normally, and apparently are made to be worn while driving. Those mushrooms you ate? Any chance you can order me up a bag? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/77 "2012-11-18T14:58:18Z")
> [@Gary\_Kumquat](#): > > I’m actually curious as to what you do for a living, as not many people I’ve met would describe themselves as professional hikers. A couple of the mountain guides might, I guess. They both used trekking poles. I agree with Gary. I hike a lot, and some people use trekking poles, and some don’t, but very few people think they are useless or a fad. Any professional hiker should know and understand that. 🙂 And to repeat, the OP is complaining about [Nordic Walking](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_walking), not trekking poles. I compare it to race walking; something out of the mainstream, a little unusual, but if it gets people active I’m all for it. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/78 "2012-11-18T15:22:38Z")
The hit song of 2013. Walk like a Norweigan. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/79 "2012-11-18T16:09:39Z")
And in the 70s, jogging was criticised. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261/80 "2012-11-18T17:02:17Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > The only person I’ve ever seen walking with a pole was a person who had a foot turned perpendicular to his direction of travel. If his torso was facing due north, his right foot would be facing damn near due east. I have no idea what caused that, or what it’s even called, but I’m entirely willing to believe it requires him to walk with some kind of mobile support. I do that to relieve stress on my lower back, so maybe that? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-walking-poles/641261.md?page=5)