FIELD REPORT FOR THE LEKI PATHFINDER JR. TREKKING POLES

By Traci Wheiler

April 14, 2004

 

 

Personal Data:

 

Name: Traci Wheiler

Age: 17

Gender: Female

Height: 5'1" (1.5 m)

Weight: 112 lbs (51 kg)

Email Address: jmwlaw at ida dot net

City, State, Country: Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA

Dad/adviser:  Michael Wheiler

Product Description:

The main features of the LEKI Pathfinder Jr.s include:  Turbo sport kids grips, two-section adjustable poles with a twist locking system, performance baskets, steel flextip, a weight of 14.4 oz (408 g) per pair, and an ability to adjust the length from 80-115 cm (31-45 in).  Fully extended, the poles are 45 1/2" (116 cm) in length from the top of the grip to the tip of the steel point.  The grip is a somewhat sticky feeling black plastic with the LEKI name printed on the side.  The wrist strap on the grip is 3/4" (2 cm) wide black webbing material with a plastic buckle on one end through which the other end of the strap is threaded to adjust the size of the opening for the user's wrist.  The basket is also black plastic about 2" (5 cm) in diameter with little "teeth" on the bottom.  The basket also has a cut-out for locking the two poles together at the bottom.  Please read my Initial Report for a complete description of the LEKI Pathfinder Jr.s and to see some photographs of the poles.

 

Field Report:

 
Besides just walking around my neighborhood with the poles, I have taken them on two hikes and have more outings planned as the weather begins to warm up and the snow disappears.

On April 12 my family and I hiked the Cress Creek Trail.  This was a two mile (3.2 km) hike.  The lower part of this trail was paved.  I tested whether the poles gave me enough energy to hike up hill and down.  I tested the strength of the baskets and how well the baskets were able to withstand pressure applied when hiking on hard packed surfaces.  I tested the comfort of the Turbo Sport Kids Grip and how easy it was to adjust the straps.  I also tested how well the locking system stayed in place while hiking and how easy it was to adjust.  I then tested how well the Steel Flex tip did on pavement and I tested whether it would chip or not while in use.  My testing on this outing revealed the following:  (1)  I found that the poles gave me enough extra energy to hike up and down the hill without making rest stops as frequently as I used to.  (2)  The poles provided extra support going up hill but I found that they didn't support me as much hiking down hill as I had anticipated.  (3)  I found that the baskets withheld the pressure of hiking on a hard packed surface--they didn't crack or break.  (4)  I also found that the Turbo Sport Kids Grip was very comfortable in my hands.  I didn't get any blisters and my hands were not sore at any point during or after the hike. (5)  Adjusting the straps is very easy to do even on the move.  (6)  The locking system stayed in place while walking up and down hill. Nothing slipped or came loose while hiking.  (7)  Adjusting the poles is very easy.  I did it while walking to catch up with my family so it was very easy.  It is just a pull and twist motion.  (8)  Finally, I found that the Steel Flex tip did very well while walking on the pavement and over rocks throughout the hike. The tips did not chip or break. Throughout my testing so far, I have found that the poles have held up very well and no parts need to be replaced yet.

Long Term Test Plan

In early summer, Dad and I plan to hike the Cascade Lake to Grebe Lake trail loop in Yellowstone National Park.  This is a 7.5 mile (12 km) trip.  I will be attending girls camp in mid-July and we always participate in either a backpacking trip or a long hike.  This year we are going to be in the Warm River area.  My family and I are also planning a backpacking trip into the Sawtooths in July or August.  I'm going to climb Table Rock Mountain with my family in July as well.  Most of these outings, will be in very mountainous terrain--5,500-8,500 foot (1,670-2,591 m) elevation.  I will be using the Pathfinder Jr. poles on all of these trips.

 

I plan to continue testing the LEKI Pathfinder Jr.s as follows:

1	Will the poles give me added energy on longer hikes?
2	Do the Pathfinder Jr.s provide good support on the hard ground and while crossing streams?
3	I will be testing their durability by using them in various weather conditions.
4	I will be testing the continued strength of the performance basket.
5	I will see if the baskets can withstand pressure applied when hiking in normal conditions over various surfaces.
6	I want to see how well the baskets continue to hold up especially with longer hikes planned for this summer.
7	I will be testing the comfort of the Turbo Sport Kids Grip on longer hikes.
8	I will also continue to see how easy it is to adjust the straps and whether they begin to show signs of wear.
9	I will be testing how well the twist locking system keeps the upper and lower sections locked in place while hiking especially over time and whether it needs any maintenance.
10	I will see whether the poles will collapse or hold strong while hiking on steep trails.
11	I will test whether the ease with which I can now adjust the two sections continues over the next several months.
12	I will be testing how well the Steel Flex tip can withstand use on pavement, accidentally striking rocks, and just general use while hiking.
13	I want to see if the Steel Flex tip will break or chip with normal use.  If any parts of the poles break, I will be checking on how easily parts can be obtained from LEKI and how easy the parts are to remove and replace.
14	Do the poles require cleaning or maintenance?

Pros and Cons:

Pros:
They are very easy to hike with.
The poles provide added energy and support.
Nothing is too hard to adjust.
So far, they have been easy to care for and clean.
I really like the color--blue is my favorite.

The grips are very comfortable.
I feel really cool hiking with the poles and my Dad still doesn't have his own poles yet!

Cons:
The poles came with no instructions.  While it was kind of easy to figure out how to use them, it would have been nice to have some instructions.
On one occasion that I was hiking down a steep trail, I found that the poles were not as supportive as going up hill.  I slipped a lot more than expected.