Quote:
I I noticed my 3-section-pole partners set their height once and don’t touch it for the next several weeks. They hate messing with it. I tease them and tell them “you might as well get a fixed pole.” <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Other bonuses of all poles/staffs:
1. You can go longer miles because now your upper body is helping with the distance; even on level terrain.
2. Your knee life is extended
3. falls are minimized
4. crossing streams are much easier
5. If you get a twisted ankle or swollen foot, the poles will help minimize weight there.
6. For the 1st hiker on the trail, they make good spider web cleaners <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
7. My daughter also uses them to keep the stray dogs at bay.


I usually adjust my poles to be a good inch or more longer on extended downhills. This way, it will just "catch" you more quickly if you start to fall and just works better in general. If I was going up a very steep uphill, I would make them much shorter too.

Great list of bonuses...I've used mine to find off a couple of mean dogs a couple of times. They may not be the best weapon, but they are better to have in your hands than nothing if a dog or bear or whatever attacks.