Can You Use Poles While Showshoeing?
Posted by Crescent Moon on Apr 2nd 2020
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors and one of the most popular is snowshoeing. For those who live in the mountains, there might be snow on the ground for six months out of the year. This provides plenty of opportunities to get outside and see how the grace and cleanliness of snow can totally revolutionize a landscape. While snowshoeing, one of the most common questions people have is whether or not they should use poles. When it comes to hiking poles and snowshoeing, there are a few pieces of advice that everyone should remember.
The Purpose of Snowshoe Poles
When someone steps outside to go snowshoeing, they often hesitate and look at the poles. Is it fine to bring them? Should they be left behind? These poles are meant for skiing, so what if I lose one? The short answer is that poles can play a major role when someone goes snowshoeing. The ultimate goal of the poles is to provide extra balance.
Therefore, similar to skiing, the poles are not necessary; however, they can be helpful. In general, the steeper the terrain, the more important the poles are going to be. The same is true of skiing. Nobody would ever tackle a double-black diamond trail without poles. They are almost a necessity for turns. The same is true when it comes to snowshoeing.
In general, if someone is going to be walking across flat terrain, called a traverse, then the poles are less important. You can go with just your snowshoes, although some people like to bring them anyways. It gives them something to do with their hands while they walk and might make the exercise more intense. On the other hand, if someone is walking uphill or downhill, the poles become more important.
Why Do People Use Snowshoe Poles?
People use poles when they go snowshoeing as a way to provide extra balance. When someone is going uphill or downhill, it can be easy for someone to lose their balance and fall. This can make people hesitate as they walk, causing them to lose their footing. With the help of poles, people can reach out and grab the ground. providing extra stability. Therefore, poles are used in snowshoeing as an extra safety measure. This can help people stay upright while tackling some of the challenging uphill and downhill trails in the world of snowshoeing.
Tips and Tricks for Snowshoe Poles
When someone is trying to make use of their poles while snowshoeing, there are a few tips to keep in mind. First, remember how poles work. The more points of contact someone has with the ground, the easier it is going to be to remain upright. When people walk, they have one or two points of contact with the ground. With poles, there are three or four. Therefore, drive the poles into the ground and maintain balance.
Next, when going uphill, it is helpful to reach out with the pole. This will cause someone to lean forward. This will get the momentum moving in the forward direction, making it easier to get uphill. When going downhill, it is still helpful to reach forward; however, do not reach as far. This can cause someone to lose his or her balance, contributing to a fall.
Finally, snowshoe poles can also be used as a way to rest. Many people like to plant the poles in the ground and rest them underneath the armpits. This allows someone to take the weight off of his or her legs without having to sit down and stand up again. Do not be afraid to put those poles to work in more ways than one. There are plenty of ways poles can be helpful in the world of snowshoeing.
Come and Visit Crescent Moon Today
Anyone who would like to learn more about poles and snowshoeing should come and visit Crescent Moons website today. We provide the most advanced equipment on the market when it comes to snowshoeing, including poles and state of the art foam snowshoes. We would be happy to work with you to help you find the poles and snowshoes that are right for your next snowshoeing adventure. Count on our professionals to help you maximize every minute you spend outside while keeping you safe.