Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Are trekking poles necessary/recommended?

My experience with straps is like Steve's. Makes a huge difference.

I control the pole with my index finger alone. I am rarely gripping the handle with any force at all, in fact, my hand is partway open in a relaxed state, and the strap holds it against my hand, and the pole top grip ridge rests on my index finger.

I can control the movement of the pole by a simple "flick" of my finger, my other fingers are not really involved except as "limiters".

It is a fine-control type of maneuver.