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Trusty White Alder trekking pole.
I've just made my way over a pass in the Hoover Wilderness Area on the way to Summit Lake in 2012 |
Another word for electrical conductor, especially at high Sierra elevations, is "lightning rod." I have had my own close calls and have friends who have been struck and injured or killed:
- Climbing Mt. Langley: Slow Ascent, Lightning Descent
- Lightning + Metal/Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles = Danger
Shoulder Injury Prompted Reconsideration Of My Old Trusty White Alder Pole

Then, in early November 2014, a catastrophic injury to my right shoulder requiring extensive surgery has made me take a new look. I am still in physical therapy and may or may not recover quickly enough to get back to the Sierras this year.
I was recently cleared to hike with a day pack of 15 or 20 pounds. But with the recovering shoulder and muscles that are only now being rebuilt after being totally immobilized for the first 2 months, having a lighter trekking pole has moved back up to the top of my list.
In addition, the White Alder has continued to develop a severe curve as it ages and dries. Compare the photo of the pole above to this one taken just yesterday:
In addition, the White Alder has continued to develop a severe curve as it ages and dries. Compare the photo of the pole above to this one taken just yesterday:
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Trusty White Alder pole no longer straight. |
After extensive searching, I have been unable to find an alternative to metal and carbon fiber.
Inspiration From An Unlikely Place
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Inspiration from polymer handles. |
Yard work is not my favorite task. But I got an idea while I was looking at the objects that were leading me to drudgery.
Note the polymer handles on the yard rake (left, next to the big wide shovel) and shovel (center, background.)
So, with this inspiration in mind, I headed to the local hardware store and bought a yard rake and a leaf rake, both with polymer handles.
Easy Basic Rake Hack
This is not hard:
Drill out the rivet.
Pull off the tines.
Voila! Trekking pole.
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Drill out the rivet. This is the yard rake which turned out to be heavier and longer than needed. |
I found the smaller leaf rake handle to be perfect. And it weighed 14 ounces. The White Alder weighed 1 pound, 14 ounces. The weight-lightening task of slimming down a pack is usually one of saving a few ounces here and there.
Adding a crutch tip to the open end will add another ounce. No big thing.
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... and after, the leaf rake becomes a lightweight trekking pole without being a lightning rod. |
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