OWNER REVIEW

 

Life-Link Guide Ultra Light (aka Variant Approach) Trekking Poles

 

Reviewer Information:

 

Name: Ben Neilson             

Age: 29

Gender: Male

Height: 6’ 1” (185 cm)

Weight: 170 pounds (77 kg)

Email address: djbenno (at) hotmail (dot) com

City, State, Country: Seattle, Washington State, USA

Date: January 15, 2004

 

Reviewers Background:

 

I have been backpacking since a young boy with my family, and as I grew up, I learnt with the Boy Scouts how to pack a 50-pound (23 kg) load for an overnight trip.  Now, many years later I have made the jump to lightweight backpacking with my current weekend (3-day) load averaging 15 pounds (6.8 kg).   Most backpacking trips are solo high-mileage trips (with 20-30 miles [30-50 km] per day common) with high-elevation gains. Trips cover elevations from sea level to 14,000’+ (0-4400 m) all seasons and variable weather conditions.  I am also an active climber, snowboarder, backcountry and alpine skier, and snowshoer, including more off-trail route finding and scrambling.

 

Product Information:

 

Manufacturer:  Like-Link

Year of Manufacture: 2003

URL:  http://www.life-link.com/

Listed Weight: 14 oz/pair (397 g)

Weight as Delivered: 14.0 oz (397 g) with small trekking basket, 15.0 oz (425 g) with larger snow baskets

Stowed Length: 30” (76 cm)

Extended Length: 49” (124 cm)

MSRP: $104.95 US Dollars

 

The Variant Approach is a 2-Section trekking/ski pole manufactured by Life-link of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA.  Several unique and innovative features are described by the manufacturer as follows:

 

-Non-slip Ovalized Aluminum upper and oval lock system
-Releasable "break away" straps in case the pole gets caught by a tree
-Overmolded soft, comfortable grip, great shape for small hands
-Built in 6 degree corrective angle on grip
-Carbon fiber shaft for excellent swing weight, less drag and low total weight.
-Friction zone, on shaft, for adjustment in even the worst weather
-Can be converted to avalanche probe.

Additional accessories available for the Variant Approach include rubber tips for walking on hard surfaces, 3 different sized baskets, replacement wrist straps, probe extender section, replacement flex tips, and The Claw, a pointed grip developed by Paul Ramer, for when the going gets steep in snowy conditions, but doesn’t warrant using a full on ice axe.

 

After diligent comparison of every trekking poles for which I could find information, I decided on the Life-Link poles for a combination of reasons.  These reasons include (in order of personal importance):

-  Lightweight (At the time of purchase, these were the lightest trekking poles available)

-  Strength/Durability (Many reports of climbing/trekking/tramping worldwide spoke highly of these poles)

-  Accessibility of Replacement Parts such as tips, snow baskets, pole sections, etc. (With the manufacturer within a day’s drive from me, spare parts would be easy to obtain if needed)

-  Ability to combine the lower sections from each pole to form an avalanche probe (as probes go, it cannot compare with a proper probe, but it is a nice redundancy to have when deep in the backcountry)

 

I initially tested these trekking poles on three separate occasions, with subsequent long-term testing that followed.  The first of these initial test trips was a short section of the Pacific Crest Trail near Kendall Peak, in the Central Cascades of Washington State.  Weather was clear and pleasant.  This out and back day hike to the top of Kendall is 5 miles (8 km), gaining 2800 feet (850 m) on the way up, from 3000 ft (915 m) to 5784 ft (1763 m), with the last 0.5 mile (0.8 km) a class 2 scramble on somewhat loose rock.  In these conditions, the Variant Approach poles really shined.  On this trip, the first thing I noticed about the Variant Approach poles was the smaller size of the handle compared to the Komperdell and Leki poles I have used previously.  It was a different feeling altogether, and made the pole seem smaller and more agile.  This, combined with the lightweight carbon lower pole section, made for a very quick and precise swing motion, like the steering of a BMW compared to that of a Ford.  Unlike many other poles I have used in the past, there was no need for constant retightening, time and again, just a rock-solid performance. 

 

 The second initial test trip was a quick day hike up a volcano named Mt. Adams in the South Cascade Range.  This hike starts at 5600 ft. (1700 m) and gains 6800 ft. (2075 m) to the 12,276 ft. (3742 m) summit of Mt. Adams.  The Early October weather was clear and mild, with plenty of sun at the start, and 36 degrees F (2 C) on top.  Again, like the previous trip, the poles performed flawlessly and were worth their weight in gold on the slopes of loose volcanic rock and heavily sun-cupped snowfields.  On such terrain, it is easy to slide back two-steps for every one-step taken.  Having the added stability that he poles provided helped to reduce the amount of retrograde motion and not waste so much effort going up.  During this trip I noticed the sharp volcanic rock encountered along the route was scratching the carbon lower sections quite heavily.  The poles no longer sparkle, but the performance was in no way affected.  I will try, from now on, to use all-aluminum poles on such terrain, and save the carbon fiber poles for more innocuous terrain.

 

The third initial test trip was a 5 mile (8 km) trek on a local trail system during winter conditions, with 6” of snow on the ground, temperature in the upper 20’s (-2 C) and freezing rain.  On this occasion, the “friction zone” section used to adjust the lower pole proved very useful as I made adjustments while wearing fingerless mitts/mittens that provided very little dexterity.  On this trip, I first noticed that after I loosened the two pole sections (when adjusting the length) they would occasionally bind together enough that it was not possible to extend/retract the sections by hand.  A gentle tap of the pole tip on the ground (with the two sections loosened) usually breaks things free again however.  I have spoken with other owners, and they speak of similar issues occurring.  This is more of a minor annoyance, as it in no way limits the performance of the poles. 

 

Summary:

 

Since these three initial use tests, the Variant Approach poles have been used on nearly 2000 trail miles (3220 km) over the course of 18 months.  Conditions have run the full spectrum, through all seasons, with temperature extremes from -22 degrees F to 95 degrees F (-30 C to 35 C), and consisting of rain, hail, sleet, freezing rain, and snow.  Throughout these conditions, the Variant Approach poles have been reliable trail partners.  I have not deliberately abused these poles, but due to the terrain, I certainly use them much harder than most individuals would.  Many times the Variant poles have survived where other trekking poles might have failed.  This includes repeated occasions when the pole tip has caught up on trees, roots, rocks, etc. as momentum caused me to continue on my way.  The flexibility of the carbon fiber lower shaft, and the releasing “break-away” wrist straps were its saving grace.  Possibly one of the most durable trekking poles out there, as I have yet to break a tip or a pole section.  Additional features I have come to like over time were its easy deployment vs. a three-section pole, and its smaller, more comfortable grip.  Also, (I hope other trekking pole manufacturers will take note,) the textured “Friction zone” on the lower pole section, near the basket, is a brilliant feature that made the pole easy to grip when tightening and loosening to adjusting the length.  The Variant Approach’s basic features simplify things and reduce weight to a minimum.  Some have posed the idea that the lack of an anti-shock mechanism may cause slightly increased soreness in elbow joints, but I have never experienced any such problems.  The Variant Approach trekking poles are a great value and a solid performer in the backcountry, and are the lightest weight pole in the lineup.