Hiking Poles on Kilimanjaro

Hiking poles provide countless benefits for even the most skilled of climbers. For example, hiking poles provide:

• Uphill Assistance: When used on an incline, hiking poles transfer some of a climber’s weight to his shoulders, arms, and back. This can reduce leg fatigue and provide thrust to one’s ascent.

• Downhill Assistance: Poles reduce the impact on a climber’s legs, knees, hips, ankles, and feet by about 25%. This is especially the case when trekking downhill; and, less impact means increased stamina and safety,

• Balance: Poles easily help a climber maintain balance in difficult terrain.

• Increased Traction: Hiking poles obviously mean a climber gains two extra points of contact with the ground. This significantly increases a person’s traction on slippery surfaces like mud, snow, and loose rock.

• Added Strength: Climbers can use poles to help propel them forward and upward. This translates into increased strength and power.