Hiking poles survey

[mdollan]

Hi all! I'm a bit of a newbie here, but I'm doing some research for a personal project about hiking / trekking poles and opinions about them. If you could take a quick minute to complete this short survey I'd really appreciate the help:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=w477fjqEW_2f1_2b8CFKfFmwdw_3d_3d

Thanks all!

[vrocco1]

Make 'em light, and make 'em strong. That is all that is required IMHO. I don't go anywhere without them.

[Phoenix]

I have thought about using trekking poles, but I like having a free hand. I currently use a 7/8 inch by 5 foot 2 inch wooden flag pole. The mount for a flag I converted into a camera stand, and have my compass and whistle attached by a thin line. Soon I will mount a compass directly into the head of the staff, and modify my light so that it will attach just like my camera.

[MKD]

Uneven terrain is a must for me. I can hike nearly twice as far with poles.

I tore my ACL skiing a year ago and without them I would be limited. I usually hike 10-15 miles a day for multiday hikes here at the AT (TN,GA, and NC). Without a pole with all the elevation changes, especially downhill, I would undoubtedly be much slower.

Something with a shock absorber and light weight is my preference.

[swoosh]

yup i like em as well. my knees hurt so they help a ton going downhill. also useful for pushing aside poison ivy and for knocking down spider webs

[Wolfmaan]

I spent June and July of 2009 hiking the entire Bruce Trail (850km) barefoot. I used hiking poles for every step and I didn't fall or trip or get injured once.