Hiking Poles

[MartianDestiny]

Hiking poles once saved my life, or at least they saved me a very expensive helicopter evac.

First backpacking tip ever, torqued my knee 3 times over 2 days and then slid down a hill on the 3rd. After that my knee said "no more, not moving, I'm done", but we still had to finish the 3rd day and hike out (over the pass) the next. One of the other people in our group gave me his poles which I then basically used as crutches and was able to walk out.

Came home and bought me a pair I don't tend to use them on day hikes (between them, the dog, and/or the camera it just doesn't work), but they always get strapped to my pack for longer or harder hikes and backpacking trips.

[Skierchickie]

We got some 10 years ago for backpacking in Alaska. I used both of mine, but felt "uncool", as DH followed the lead of the guides and just used one. I tell ya - a fully loaded pack for a 7-day trip is heavy and awkward, so I liked having 2! I haven't used them since, but we took my 'Rents to Alaska 2 summers ago for their 50th (not backpacking), and encouraged Mom to get some after our first day hike. She's pretty afraid of steeper stuff (even more so than I am), and takes rocky, steeper downhills quite gingerly. She loves them, and I think she uses them all the time on her walks on the ski trails.

Ours are collapsible, so you can strap them on your pack, as Itself said, plus it makes them easier to pack for flying.