New LEKI Poles – Improved Comfort

2014 – There’s been a re-design of our favorite trekking pole.  We love the comfort of the foam grip….it’s SO worth an extra $20 over the composite or rubber grips.  Also, the long foam grip is wonderful for frequently changing or rocky terrain – when you’re not using the straps. The redesigned strap is sleeker […]

Thanksgiving Hiking Pole Adventure in Utah

We arrived to RAIN in Las Vegas and snow on the roads to Moab.   Even over a foot of snow and cold mornings did not stop us from enjoying the magic of the Utah National Parks.  Our first day included 2 short hikes in Arches  (Park Avenue & Delicate Arch), then we went to Canyonlands […]

Rubber Tips for Trekking Poles: Why & What Kind to Consider

Rubber tips are sold as optional accessories for trekking poles.  They’re NOT optional.   The travel tips that come with many poles (clear, orange or black plastic) are garbage – toss them out (or recycle them).   In many of this blog’s updates we describe how rubber tips improve performance, prevent joint strain, increase safety and enhance […]

Desert Hiking – Tucson in January

Tucson in January.  Below is a desert pony.  This saguaro skeleton really was like a prancing pony.  To the right is a healthy young saguaro in front of a Palo Verde (AZ state tree and very green 🙂 Saguaros  can grow to 60” tall (although the tallest we saw was probably 20′ and, according to […]

Trekking Poles expand your Hiking Horizons, Utah Part 3

Bob is 65.   He works hard so ends up being a weekend warrior which puts him at increased risk for injury. On our Thanksgiving trip to Utah, we hiked 6 days in a row.   We would not have even considered doing this without our poles. People are always asking – POLES? Why????  They seem surprised […]

Hiking Utah National Parks, Part 1

Weather manages our outdoor activities.  Our journey to Utah parks was flip-flopped (again this year) so we could enjoy clear roads and excellent hiking weather, skipping snow, rain & ice in Bryce in favor of  50-ish degree perfect hiking weather in Moab. Day 1:  Our first hike was the Neck Spring Loop, a LONG 5 […]

Two Poles or NOT Two Poles ~ There is NO question

Learning to use trekking poles for hiking is a skill that all hikers will, at some point, appreciate.  Whether you’re 30 or 90, optimal use of poles provides significant benefits on the trail.  (click on any photo to enlarge). In this post we’ll discuss Why Poles? Why Optimal Use? Benefits of Optimal Use of Poles […]

Trekking Poles in Rocky Mountain National Park

Back from Rocky Mountain National Park.   With early starts we had serene and sublime hikes – with parking at the trailheads 🙂   Below are low-to-the-ground flowers at 12,000′ and a photo from our hike to and beyond The Loch. Poles Tip:  When crossing a bridge, lift your poles as I show below.   I lengthened […]

Practice Hikes: Using Trekking Poles to explore EB Parks

The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) is the largest park district in the nation; second largest in the world.  Every 2 months, they have an activity guide called Regional In Nature “RIN” in which they list an amazing array of classes/workshops/events, including a variety of PoleWalking classes and practice hikes/walks…presented and taught by yours […]

Yosemite Conservancy’s Spring Forum

AdventureBuddies Jayah and Bob traveled to Yosemite for Spring Forum, a yearly event hosted by the Yosemite Conservancy.   Spring Forum is a day of adventures, lectures, hikes and Yosemite experiences.  We taught 3 classes: Using POLES for Hiking & Outdoor Exercise – with a hike to Lower Yosemite Falls Fitness for the Trail (keeping people […]

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