By: Blonde One
Whilst out walking yesterday Blonde Two called me both Bambi and a mountain goat. Let me explain: I have relayed the story to her before how when Little Miss Blonde was little her very long legs kept getting in the way. We used to call her Bambi as she had not really got any control over them and running was not an easy task (sorry for embarrassing you Little Miss Blonde!). You would have thought that with such long legs she would have made a good runner but no, it was all a bit awkward really. I have never really empathised with her properly until yesterday when I decided to walk with two walking poles. I usually carry one on my rucksack just in case but never actually walk with it. My looming mountain trek in Morocco will necessitate the use of two poles so I thought I should practice! Good job I did as well – I was hopeless! My legs and arms just would not do the right thing at the right time. It was the most bizarre experience. Blonde Two spent much of the day laughing at me and waiting for me as I kept stopping to try to get myself sorted. I would have to stop and stand with both feet together and arms poised while I tried to figure out which foot would go with which arm. Blonde Two calling me Bambi is a little bit generous though as I was in no way cute and unlike Bambi and Little Miss Blonde I didn’t eventually work out what to do with my (four) limbs! Needless to say, I gave up part way through the day. I’m not quite sure what I will do in Morocco yet. Any suggestions gratefully received!
After I had jettisoned the poles I was back to my normal self and Blonde Two then decided I was like a mountain goat as I opted for scrambling routes instead of more level routes on a few occasions. I think I needed to remind myself that I was quite coordinated really after the poles, so I found myself skipping over gaps, balancing on ledges and scrambling up Tors. Normally I would choose the safest routes, especially when out with kids but yesterday I opted for the mountain goat approach. Perhaps this is the way to go in Morocco?
Poles are invaluable – been using them since 1994, less on Dartmoor, but certainly in mountains, and definitely up Toubkal! Brilliant on the way up a hill for increasing circulation in upper body, therefore being less out of breath (which at 4100+ has to be handy right?!), and brilliant on the way down as an extra pairs of legs – like a mountain goat! I literally lean on mine and jump/hop down scree slopes (plenty of them in Morocco).
They do take some mastering – persevere, it is worth it.
Fancy a Blonde nordic walking taster in September?
I certainly do – I can persuade Bambi to come along too I think!
Sounds good to me. I would be there to provide entertainment and show you ‘how not to do it’!
Love my poles too. First, decide whether you are a donkey or a camel. Camels walk with their left front leg going forward at the same time as their left back leg. With donkeys, the left front leg goes forward at the same time as the right back leg. You can do either with poles, but be consistent at first!
I hope whoever sold you your poles told you how to hold them – I didn’t learn that until I bought my second pair. Hands up through the loops from the bottom so that palms rest on the loops – then you don’t need to grip so hard that your arthritic fingers ache. In fact, if you get the straps adjusted beeootifully, you needn’t grip the pole at all – just let it rest between the thumb and first finger and take the strain on the palms.
Advice I was given in the Alps:
– Make them a little shorter. You may find it more comfortable and manageable with your forearm pointing lower than parallel with the ground.
– Use the wrist straps (as described by one of the other posters here) when the going is predictable and steady, but on broken and very steep ground you may want to take the straps off. It can be less clumsy if you can vary your hand height on each pole when, say, walking across a slope; you can also carry one or both poles at their balance point when necessary.
– Place the tips so that you are pushing yourself forward rather than pulling yourself along.
However there’s bound as many bits of advice as there are people – do what feels most comfortable.
It does sound like you would be safer without the poles! Lol!