Thanks to everyone for the comments and advice – I think I was over half way there when I put the post on earlier today, but having read your comments you all seem unanimously in favour of poles. I particularly like Paul’s suggestion of using one pole as having a hand free sounds very reassuring, especially with my little boy strapped in the child carrier on my back.
Thanks to Susan for her views as well as jaggystue71 top tip for not wrapping your wrists through the straps – although I thought the idea was that the straps took the load meaning you don’t have to rely on your grip if you do stumble
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Thanks Alan for the tips regarding leki ultralite at £80 per pair, but being a sceptic I don’t think I could justify that sort of money. Jaggystue71’s at £25/pole sound a little more realistic
mountain tortoise little tale of husbands in the river sounds so like the kind of thing I would do
– and my wife would no doubt be laughing as much as you did with your poor hubby. As for using an old stick found in the forest – I think I’ll pass, I know that man kind has been leaning on lumps of wood since time began but for me I would prefer the option of being able to collapse the pole and stow in on the pack/child carrier. The comments did put a smile on my face all the same
Leithysuberbs - I didnt mean that folks with poles were oldies, I see plenty of young whippets with poles when I'm out and about. The general feeling is they are good and they do take some strain off the knees and in my book, thats got to be a good thing.
So poles for Paul it is – thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. I'll pop a post on 'Walks outside Scotland' when I've done my first walk with them, which chould be early next week as were heading off to the lakes camping this B/H weekend for a good leg stretch and hopefully a few hills too.
Regards,
Paul