Initial Report

INITIAL REPORT
LEKI PATHFINDER JR. TREKKING POLES

January 28, 2004

Product: LEKI Pathfinder Jr. Trekking Poles
Company: LEKI
URL: http://www.leki.com
Year of manufacture: 2004

Model # TJ2047-03 * Pathfinder Jr. *
Advertised Features: Turbo Sport Kids Grip, Push Button Locking System,
Two-section adjustable, Performance Basket, Steel Flextip. (These features are for the 2003 model, the 2004 model does not have a `Push Button Locking System')

Advertised Weight: 14.4 oz. (408 g) per pair / Adjustable from 31.5 - 43 in (80-110 cm)
Actual Weight- 14.6 oz (414 g) per pair

Personal Data:
Mike Joiner
Southwestern Maine
10 years old
Male
5 ft. (1.5 M)
82 lb (37 kg)

Leesa Joiner
ljo(at)midmaine(dot)com
Southwestern Maine
42 years old
Female
5'7" (1.7 M)
150 lb (68 kg)

Background:
(Mom's)
       My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in length from one-day hikes to two-week trips. My experience hiking began with my father when I was about 6 years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. During cold weather, I backpack, hike, snow shoe, cross-country ski, go ice fishing and winter camp with friends and family. Although I am not a lightweight backpacker, I am trying to `lighten up' and even have converted to using a hammock while camping.   I find that I spend almost as much time outside during the long Maine winters as I do during the summers.

(Mike's)
       I am always outside- either playing in the woods, riding my bike, target shooting, hiking or working on one of our old trucks. I am going to cross over into Boy Scouts in two weeks. I will get to go camping at least once a month. I hike and camp with my family. We like to climb mountains and look for geocaches. I carry a lot of things in my backpack, but since I have to carry it myself, I make sure it doesn't get too heavy. I usually take a water bottle, binoculars, compass, camera, rope, knife, field guide, snacks, first aide kit and matches. Sometimes I also have my ice fishing gear or snow shoes.   When we are camping I also carry my sleeping bag. Sometimes I help carry extra food if we are planning to eat a meal while we are out.

Initial Impressions:
       The poles arrived in good condition- the UPS man gave them to my mom when he saw her at my school. I was really excited to open the box when I got in the car.   The poles really looked small! I figured out how to extend them, but couldn't get them to lock. I thought at first they were broken. They didn't come with directions, and we couldn't find any information on the web site. I was getting really worried, but someone my mom knows sent her directions. Once we knew the trick of turning one direction to tighten and the other to loosen, they worked great!
       The poles are a dark blue color with a silver print of animal tracks. The wrist straps are easy to adjust and are comfortable to wear. There are markings on the side of the poles that show where to set the adjustment for different sizes. I was surprised that the poles didn't come with directions, but they did come with a small activity pamphlet.   They look just like the picture on the website. The poles came with a carbiner so they can be attached to a backpack. There is also a plastic clip that looks almost like a figure eight with an opening
on each end. This is used to clip the poles together- that way they don't swing around and hit my legs when I hike.

Field Testing:
       I will test my poles while hiking on the trails behind my house. We are lucky to have a 5000 acre wildlife management area right behind our property. I will also be using them next weekend when I go to the Boy Scout Klondike Derby. It is going to be my first scout event and I am looking forward to it. The poles will get a workout. I hope that they help me keep up with the older boys. I am going to take them when we go back to Vermont during February break. There are some neat places to go climbing and I think the poles will keep me from losing my footing so much. Last time I kept sliding backwards.
       During the test period, we will be participating in numerous backpacking, camping, hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trips. The trips will range from single day to four day trips. All will be in western Maine, and northern New Hampshire and Vermont.   Over the next 6 months our weather conditions will vary widely. Current temperatures are in the -20 F (-29 C) to 20 F (-7 C) range. Within the six months of the test series temperatures will average a high of 70 F (21 C) by the end of May. Most of our outings are done at elevations below 3000 ft. (914 M) on various types of terrain.   Our average snow fall is in the 100-150" (2.5 - 4M) range.

Note from Mom:
       The poles do appear as advertised on the web site. I too was surprised at the lack of literature provided with the poles. We will test these poles as thoroughly as possible, watching for signs of wear or product failure. Watching Mike use them at first, he appeared to have a hard time syncing his movements with the poles. Within a half an hour though he looked like he had been using them for years. The learning curve was not too steep as to cause frustration for him. I think this is a great opportunity for Mike to participate in this test.

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Reviews > Trekking Poles > Poles > LEKI Trek Pathfinder Jr. Poles > Leesa Joiner > Initial Report

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