What other uses do trekking poles have?
The general purpose of trekking poles is to allow
you to trek for longer than you would be able to without the poles. They are
made to support weight, as well as to prevent you from falling or tripping
as you hike over some of the rougher terrain.
Still, though they may be primarily designed for
trekking over longer distances, they are also useful for your safety. Having
a pole or stick in your hand as you walk around can help you avoid many
potentially dangerous situations that you can encounter in your travels.
Here are several examples of how a hiking pole can help you protect yourself
while you are travelling in the outdoors.
1.
Moving Aside Brush
When you are trekking for a long distance you will
likely encounter many areas with thorns, poison ivy, sharp twigs, etc. With
a trekking pole you can easily push these down or move them aside so that
you do not have to walk into them, without disrupting your travel.
2.
As a Weapon
In the rare event of an animal attack, the pole can
easily be a makeshift weapon, giving you a long pointy stick that you can
use to scare away or push away any animals that may be showing aggression to
your arrival. Knowing that you have a pole that you can use for safety is a
benefit on its own. The poles also allow you to touch animals that you are
unsure if they are sleeping or deceased, so that you do not have to put your
hands or face near them.
3.
Removing Spider Webs
There will be times that you encounter spider webs
on your travel that you need cannot avoid. With the trekking pole, you can
gather up the web at a distance so that you do not have to touch or be near
the insects, allowing you to walk through it unimpeded.
4.
Testing the Ground
Occasionally you will come across ground or terrain
that looks unusual, and you may not be confident enough to cross without
testing it first. The hiking poles can be pushed into the terrain first, so
that you can know that it is possible to cross without hurting yourself.
5.
Emergency Tools
Many of the more modern hiking and trekking poles
come with their own emergency tools in case you are stuck in an unknown area
with no cell phone or reception. There are hiking poles with their own
whistles, their own compasses – even their own flashlights – all designed to
help you find your way out of a dangerous situation and possibly help
yourself get rescued in the event on an accident.
Keeping Your Hiking Pole With You
Trekking poles may be designed to support yourself
over long travel, but they are still a long, pointy stick with other
features and uses available when you need them. You should never
underestimate the value of having a sturdy object on hand when you travel
for ensuring your own safety and giving yourself a valuable tool in case you
need to protect yourself while you are deep within the outdoors.
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