February 11, 2001


Are there snowshoeing poles that will fit into a small backpack?

I have recently begun snowshoeing in the backcountry to access untouched routes for snowboarding. My dilemma is using poles that do not fit in my backpack once I begin my trip down the mountain. Can you recommend a telescoping pole that will fit into a small backpack along with my snowshoes?

— Kenny Johnson Denver, Colorado

Well, I don't think you'll find any poles that will fit INSIDE the pack, unless it's a pretty big pack. But certainly there are several models that compact down sufficiently so they aren't in the way when you lash them onto your pack. What you want is a pair of three-section poles, which typically reduce in size down to 24 inches or so. An example would be the REI Summit Trekking poles ($60). These are aluminum-shaft, three-section poles that reduce to 25 inches -— I have a pair myself, and find them extremely compact and easy to pack. They come with trekking baskets, but you can easily retrofit a pair of wider snowflake baskets for $5. REI also makes a pole called the Ultralite, which weighs a bit less and also compacts to 25 inches and sells for $80.

An alternative is the Leki Antishock Makalu 3 pole ($110). It's not quite a short as the REI poles when compacted -— 28 inches -— but that's still plenty short for most packs, and Leki poles have a little nicer finish to them. I'm not sure they're any sturdier than the REI poles, however. Here again, you'll need to replace the baskets with more snow-worthy ones.

Be careful out there. It seems every few months I read about a 'boarder who leaves the groomed area, hits a 6-foot drift in a tree well, and suffocates head down in the snow because he/she can't get out of the bindings. Be sure you go with a group, and carry basic snow-survival equipment: A shovel, a thermal blanket, and maybe a flare or two.