Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: Use of hiking poles

  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Posts
    1

    Use of hiking poles

    Hi all,

    I have never seen anyone using hiking poles in the fell races I have done so far in UK. My friends in France always use them when they climb. So I am wondering why. Is it authorized in the UK? Or just not used?

    Thanks,
    JC

  2. #2
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Bath
    Posts
    42
    Culture maybe?
    Or our climbs in general are relatively short (compared to Alpine efforts) so perhaps people don't see the benefit?

    I raced in Chamonix this summer and poles were banned in the shorter events (I did the 23k - no poles allowed).
    Fell, road, track, XC... it's all good running.

  3. #3
    Master Dave_Mole's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    the Moon
    Posts
    1,287
    there used to be a statement somewhere (it may not have been FRA, but I seem to think it was....) about use of poles being "contrary to the spirit of the sport" or somesuch.....As others have said, I can't rally see the benefit on most shorter fell races. And they can be a pain in the a$$ for people behind too!
    ....it's all downhill from here.

  4. #4
    Master ydt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Liverpool
    Posts
    1,277
    I bought a pair of lightweight ones, used them in one event and put them away for good. Better without them.

  5. #5
    Moderator noel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Western Peak District
    Posts
    6,238
    Normally I lose places on technical descents. In the last race I did, I carried some extra long poles on a narrow descent and used them as you would a balance pole on the tightrope. Surprisingly I managed to keep my place, despite being a lot slower than previous years.

    The poles were also useful for fending off competitors who wanted to discuss their validity after the race. I'll be using them more often now.

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Bentham
    Posts
    580
    nooooooooooooooooooooooooo
    Poles are necessary if wearing Hokas so you dont fall off them

    to be honest poles should go the same way as dogs in fell races and folded numbers

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    475
    I've used them on the GL3D and found they really saved my legs over the course of 3days. I think in a packed and crowded climb they would be dangerous, it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye...

  8. #8
    Master MorganW's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Out and about - slow but steady
    Posts
    1,722
    Al Powell used them at Ennerdale a few years ago whilst training for one of the UTMB races, to general derision I recall.

    I have used them on the Continent regularly except when forbidden by race rules. In more recent times, I have gone without. To be honest it depends on the state of my lumbar spine....

    And I'm sure someone has suggested that there is a UKA/BA rule that one might interpret to suggest that the use of poles is forbidden by the rules.

    I forget the number.

    Witton Park will know. :-)
    The only one who can tell you "You can't" is you. And you don't have to listen.

  9. #9
    Senior Member wolley tha's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    In the land of the East Saxons
    Posts
    101
    Appendix F of the UKA Rules for Competition states that "Runners are not allowed to use
    supplementary aids such as poles" in Mountain Running only. It may not have occurred to anyone that they might be used in any other discipline. Of course if poles count as a "technical device", then they fall foul of Rule 21 Assistance.

    Tim B
    Last edited by wolley tha; 12-10-2015 at 09:05 PM.

  10. #10
    One thing to consider that many alpine races are on well groomed, well maintained trails. On the kind of terrain that fell races cover erosion would be much more of a concern.

    I've only ever used mine in winter and now wouldn't want to be without them. Propulsion through deeper soft stuff, support from getting blown over when it's windy and utterly indispensable when the snow is covering uneven ground and you'd otherwise be staggering around like a severely lost drunk.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •