Adjustable Ski Poles

Adjustable ski poles have been available for at least forty years. Recently they have used mechanisms that work – before then they didn’t. They froze up, collapsed when least expected, and sometimes wouldn’t lock. Many a ski mountaineer has resembled The Hunchback of Notre-Dame as they limped out of the mountains with one 25 inch ski pole.

2011 Sneak Peek Leki Alpine Adjustable Ski Poles

Problem is adjustable ski poles are mechanical devices. Thus, though failure is rare, it can still happen. Moreover Murphy’s law holds sway; pole failure happens at the worst times – usually in extreme conditions when field maintenance is next to impossible. Learning how to operate the adjustment mechanism will prevent most problems from happening, creative engineering will usually solve the ones that do. During one mega-trek in subzero weather, my nameless companion thawed his frozen adjustables by urinating on them. When we got back to town they were an object of considerable interest to the dog population.

Black Diamond Boundary Adjustable Ski Poles 2012

An affordable adjustable backcountry ski pole. They come equipped with 100mm powder baskets, and a flick lock adjustable system. The Boundary has a range of 90-140cm and weighs a mere 590 grams a pair. The Power Series grip has some soft material in the palm, and aggressive hooking points for leveraging bars and buckles. If you are looking for a cost effective adjustable backcountry pole.

Adjustables gives you all sorts of options. For low angled snow climbing they can be used at their shortest adjustment for an efficient assist. Some free-heel skiers like to downhill with fairly short poles while they “get down”. If they ski without ski-lifts adjustable poles give them normal length for touring. Many extreme skiers like to ski steep snow with very long poles then use a shorter length for touring and regular skiing – while some do just the opposite. Adjustables are good for them, but may have to be over tightened to prevent inadvertent collapse. (A pair of small vise grip pliers is handy to undo over tightened adjustable poles).

For the average ski mountaineer adjustables are great because they can be lengthened for touring and shortened for skiing downhill. Adjustable poles are great for families, or expeditions, because you can interchange them for different size people. The one downside of adjustables is that they are pricy. Keep them with you while you’re in civilization; they make good targets for thieves.

Life-Link Teton Backcountry Ski Pole/Probe

You just finished your last avalanche class and are super excited about getting into the backcountry. The Life-Link Teton Backcountry Ski Pole/Probe offers the features of higher priced ski poles without the higher cost, and the included powder and trekking baskets mean you can use the Teton for summer backpacking trips too.

Ski poles that convert to an avalanche probe:

A probe, combined with a transceiver, is the speediest way to locate a person buried by an avalanche. For glacier travel, probe poles can be pressed into service to locate hidden chasms. But remember, the fittings on the type that screw together aren’t designed for day-in day-out abuse – they’ll eventually loosen. Black Diamond, Life Link and others make non-adjustable ski poles that convert into a probe. These are useful for professionals and folks who do a lot of lift serviced backcountry skiing. The biggest drawback to fixed length convertibles is that you can’t cut them shorter. If you do you give up the probe fitting.

If you need an avalanche probe you need it fast. The crux for speed isn’t putting the poles together, it’s that you have to remove both grips and one basket. Struggling with that for precious minutes doesn’t cut it.

The problem I always encounter is stubborn baskets. My solution to that, when speed is essential, is to whip out my knife and cut off the stubborn thing. (You should always have an extra basket in your repair kit).

Traverse Pole – Pair by Black Diamond

An easy-to-use, comfortable pole offering year-round versatility, the Trail & Trail Compact come equipped with a 360-degree padded webbing for all-day comfort. An excellent value, the Trail features glove-friendly dual FlickLocks, a non-slip foam grip with lower extension for choking down on steeper terrain, a Long Flex Tip, and both a low-profile, non-snagging trekking basket and a winter-specific powder basket.

Conversion to a Long Probe: Do You Really Need It?

Once, during a winter outdoor-ed circus, we buried a dummy (AKA John Doe) 4 feet deep in the snow. Our group of 12 spent the better part of a day determining the quickest way to find Mr. Doe. We operated as if there were only two people involved: one victim and one searcher. We found that in our situation, the time taken to assemble ski poles into a probe added time – rather than efficiency – to our searches.

The best method for our simulation began with a quick beeper search. With that completed, we would rip the basket off one ski pole and probe quickly, if there was no probe contact we would dig furiously for several feet, then probe again. Over and over, this sequence used the least time. Our conclusion was that, if you carry a beeper, you do not need probe convertible ski sticks. What you do need are baskets you can quickly remove, a beeper, and a shovel.

Adjustable Nordic Walking Poles

Understanding the importance of properly setting your adjustable Nordic walking poles. For convenience and custom comfort, set the height that is just right to you. Collapsible walking poles are convenient and easy to travel with!

Adjustable Pole Length: Do You Really Need It?

I have seen lots of adjustable poles in use. The fact is, most people seldom adjust their pole length. Consider that before you eject your dollars, and also weigh the fact that an adjustable pole lock adds another link to the gear failure chain. Common wisdom holds that the more extreme the conditions; the fewer links you want in that chain.