Brilwalks.com

Some Favourite Walks etc.

Walking Poles.

I will not go into vast detail on advantages of walking poles other than say that they help me considerably, particularly when going up and downhill. When the slopes are steep they certainly help to take the pressure of my ageing knees. In fact I would go as far to say that I don’t think I would have completed many of the challenge walks I have done without their assistance.

I don’t think single poles are particularly helpful when going "up and down", as the one pole will make your body unbalanced. However, the one pole can be very useful in muddy or slippery conditions when having the advantages of the extra "limb" can help keep you from slipping over. If you are interested in Walking Poles I would commend to you Peter Clinch's excellent website with lots of information on walking poles (or Hiking/Treking Poles as he refers to them).

One last point with regard to snow, or lack of it, and walking poles. It is not necessary for snow to be about for walking poles to be of assistance and the not very clever comments such as "where’s the snow" on hot summer days are well past their "sell-by dates". Although I’ve never said it, like Larry, who mentioned it to me, I am tempted to reply "I wish I had a pound for every "prat" who has asked me that". So be warned.