Advantages of Trekking Poles
Standard equipment for mountaineers, hikers, and backpackers, trekking poles are essential in the mountains and help with the following:

• Reduce stress on your back, feet, and knees.
  
• Increase balance (especially when rock hopping and river crossing). Falling with a heavy pack on is always dangerous on any terrain, so not only do trekking poles help you avoid falls, but they allow you to self arrest as well once you start falling.
  
• Allow you to clear the area in front of you (push away poison ivy, look for snakes, etc.)
  
• Increase forward speed. At the end of each of your strides you can push yourself forward slightly which increases your pace.

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