In Praise of Ski Poles

David Smith

Whilst crossing the Glacier D’Argentiere in 1989 I observed two climbers heading for the hut up a stony path at a rate of knots propelling themselves with ski poles.  At the hut I discovered that they were telescopic and could be secreted away inside a rucksack.

Disastrous memories of crossing Scottish bums in flood gave me the thought that these poles could assist a crossing either when balancing on rocks or as vaulting poles.  The President and I duly purchased pairs.  I soon discovered that in descent on snow, rock or grass a great load was taken off my knees, the worse for ware after many stupid gallops downhill in earlier years.  Why are young people not warned of the impending discomfort of later years?

In an interesting article by Dr. Gottfried Neureuther, a mountain doctor, the following figures are quoted.  ‘Each ski pole placement takes between 5 and 8 kg weight off the lower part of the body, which is equivalent to a total of 13 tons during a one hour walk on flat ground and an amazing 34 tons total load reduction when walking downhill’.

The shearing force on the knee has a long term effect on those joints.  ‘Apart from the protection afforded to the joints this partial load transfer from the lower to upper extremities results in more even stress distribution; the mountaineer tires less quickly, a fact which is highlighted when one considers that during an average excursion with four hours ascent and three hours descent the employment of telescopic ski poles will reduce the total load exerted on the lower limbs by approximately 200 tons’.

Ski poles can be of great help on wet or slippery ground, on snow or ice, on windy ridges or on scree and boulders in bad weather.  One could even use them as tent poles.  When traversing horizontally each pole can be set to different lengths to accommodate the particular slope of the ground.  Used in a similar manner as when ascending on ski, either walking speed is increased or much of the effort is transferred to the upper limbs.

Poles are available in two, three or four pieces and one variety has an ice axe blade above the usual ski pole handles.  Cost £40-£50.   Each pole weighs about 10½ oz, the four piece variety are 22 inches long and can be extended to 54 inches.