There was a time, more than a decade ago, when I couldn’t understand why people used trekking poles. I thought they seemed unnecessary and cumbersome. But these days, I always pack my poles for a hike ...

Tips on poles should be rubberized for use on concrete or asphalt and carbide for mountain trails. Wrist straps, to be effective, should be entered with the hand coming up through the loop as if it ...

“Outdoor Idaho” host Bruce Reichert uses trekking poles to help him descend a steep stretch of trail in the Boulder Mountains near Ketchum. Chadd Cripe ccripe@idahostatesman.com Trekking poles are ...