I didn't read too much about hiking poles before we left other than looking at prices online. The marketers that sell tours and get kick backs from certain famous shops like to try and punt all the unnecessary gear... And I thought poles were a bit overkill.
I saw pics of people hiking with just one pole which had a handle much the same as a normal walking stick or cane. I had a look at the different ones available in stores and they all seemed the same. Retractable shaft and wrist straps were standard. All had protective rubbers on their ends and most had a little round "thingy" that I didn't know much about. OK, I didn't know anything about it.
Turns out I left my job for a new one and the farewell gift were 2 K-Way Kilimanjaro Hiking poles from Cape Union Mart. Yeah! Something I thought I didn't really need which I got as a gift.
My hiking buddies said: "you need to practice with those". So, off I went, hiking poles ready. Man what an effort. They are either in the way or too long or the terrain is too rocky... so I decided to take them to Tanzania with me and NOT to practice with them.
Unknown to most the rubber is not meant for rocky terrain but to protect the inside of your bags during the flight. They fit into the duffel bag easily and I held thumbs that the airline staff would not force my bag into a funny position for them to be destroyed! On arrival, they were fine and so was my bag...
On day one I had them ready. I even fixed a GoPro to the handle in case I only wanted to use it as a monopod or extension pole. I found out that even a GoPro is heavy and I had to swap sides every day.
On day one the climb was already a challenge. Thank goodness for these poles! When walking they take off around 7 kg off your feet. You get to lean forward when it really gets tough and they help you up the uphill parts when your legs can't do the work anymore.
I have to say the hiking poles are a must! And even if you decide not to walk with them from day one, you will definitely need them on summit night. That's when I leaned on them the most!
A tip is to adjust them once to the desired length and keep them that way. They may freeze if you retract them before summit... Mine were quite long as I am tall so that I could pull my feet off the ground.
Even on the downhill, they helped a lot. The ground is slippery at times and a hiking pole can assist when there are no branches or trees to grab onto.
Yes they make you walk slower and yes at times they are in the way but you walk slowly on Kili anyway...
If you plan to climb just one mountain, get the cheaper hiking poles. Be aware though, they may not last the trip...
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