Hiking in the Alps of Switzerland using hiking poles will change your life

Dear Bill:

After reading your notes on using hiking poles, I bought some and tried them out. I love them.

They not only give the upper body a workout, but they make hiking much easier. I’m amazed that I’m just beginning to learn about them. As I’ve had a life of hiking.

The poles are also wonderful when crossing narrow areas and small bridges and rocky streams. It really helps my balance, especially on slippery rocks.

And the fact that they fold so easily, makes it easy to store them when traveling. I can pack them in my suitcase and check them with my luggage.

Thanks for getting me started.

Sincerely,
C. D. Seattle

Gear

HIKING POLE	PRICE	TYPE	LOCK	WEIGHT	SHAFT	GRIP	LENGTH
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork	$170	Telescoping	Lever	17 oz.	Carbon	Cork	25 in.
Leki Micro Vario Carbon DSS	$220	Folding	Lever	17 oz.	Carbon	Foam	15.5 in.
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork	$120	Telescoping	Lever	18 oz.	Aluminum	Cork	29 in.
Montem Ultra Strong	$50	Telescoping	Lever	19.2 oz.	Aluminum	Foam	24 in.
REI Co-op Flash Carbon	$139	Telescoping	Lever	14.8 oz.	Carbon	Foam	27 in.
Gossamer Gear LT4	$191	Telescoping	Twist	9 oz.	Carbon	Foam	33 in.
Black Diamond Trail Back	$80	Telescoping	Lever	21 oz.	Aluminum	Rubber	25 in.
REI Co-op Traverse Power Lock Cork	$100	Telescoping	Lever	20 oz.	Aluminum	Cork	27 in.
Leki Micro Vario Ti Cor-Tec	$140	Folding	Lever	19 oz.	Aluminum	Cork	15.5 in.
Leki Corklite	$140	Telescoping	Lever	18 oz.	Aluminum	Cork	26.4 in.
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z	$170	Folding	N/A	10 oz.	Carbon	Foam	16 in.
Mountainsmith Halite	$80	Folding	Lever	21 oz.	Aluminum	Cork	16 in.
Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber	$45	Telescoping	Lever	16 oz.	Carbon	Foam	28 in.
Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock	$140	Telescoping	Lever	21 oz.	Aluminum	Foam	27 in.
Kelty Upslope 2.0	$40	Telescoping	Twist	18.5 oz.	Aluminum	Foam	25.5 in.
BAFX Products Anti-Shock Poles	$21	Telescoping	Twist	24 oz.	Aluminum	Plastic	26.5 in.