tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352166344614826568.post4552867115832410016..comments2024-03-14T10:07:59.760-07:00Comments on American Alpine Institute - Climbing Blog: The Underappreciated Value of Trekking PolesErin-Leigh Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10781785451497618508noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3352166344614826568.post-66726476530225590562012-10-22T08:09:22.366-07:002012-10-22T08:09:22.366-07:00I find your arguments about the skiers thumb a bit...I find your arguments about the skiers thumb a bit surprising. For example, skiers routinely use the grip you say should be avoided, because this tighter grip gives much more stability and strains the finger muscles less in normal use. Skiers, who do fall more than hikers, take the slight increase in risk of injury as the cost of being much more effective. Therefore I see your argument effective only when risk of falling is especially high, or when the hiker has a history of over-use injuries.<br />While sking is a different activity than hiking, also many sources specialized in hiking recommend this tighter grip (for example, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skXVMA5nShA). <br />So, what I am arguing is that the case for the loose grip is not at all as clear cut as you make it seem.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18103345901849056980noreply@blogger.com