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Testing Location Overview:
The hiking environment of the south-west of Western Australia
allows for hiking and backpacking from coastal plains to forest.
Elevation ranges from 0 to 585 metres (0 to 1,920 feet). Within this
region, I hike in varying
conditions from forestry roads, to sandy tracks to single-purpose
walking
trails, to rock hopping, to beach walking to completely off-track
walking
through open and dense country.
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Weather Conditions:
During the summer period, daytime
temperatures average 30° C (86° F), whereas from March through to
December the daytime average temperatures range from 15° C to 26° C
(59° F to 79° F). During the
autumn, winter, and spring periods the normal weather pattern is fairly
wet with frequent heavy rainstorms evident. It does not normally snow
in
Western Australia.
According to The Times Atlas of the World
(Concise Edition - Revised 1997)
our weather is described as being "Mediterranean - rainy climates with
mild
winters, coolest month above 0° C (32° F), but below 18° C (64° F);
warmest
month above 10° C (50° F)." The atlas depicts the coastal area north of
Los Angeles as having the same climate.
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Long-term experience
Since posting my
Field Report in August 2004 I have used the Overland Carbon poles on
one more weekend walk in an on-track walking environment. The walk was in
late October in Beavis Block near Manjimup. I covered approximately 40 km
(25 mi) with the poles over the weekend. I have also used them as pitching
poles in combination with a MSR Missing Link shelter.
In my
Initial Report I outlined a number of features of the poles and my
intended testing of same. These comments follow along with my long-term
testing comments. The points from the Initial Report are in
teal.
From the hangtag attached to the poles:
"Three-section telescoping poles compress for
compact storage." I will report on the general functionality of
compressing the poles in various usage and transport roles;
I have found this aspect to continue to work fine and would suggest that I
have now got the operation to the point where I can quickly set the poles
to the desired length without further adjustment.
"Full carbon fiber construction for light weight."
This comment from my Field Report pretty much sums up my thinking: "I
think the comment I made in my notes after my Noggerup walks sums up my
thinking ..." light; really noticed the light weight this weekend."
Compared to my aluminium poles, I find these poles light! They are sweet,
I don't feel any stress on my arms or wrists from using them."
"Reliable LockJaw expander keeps the desired
length." I will report on the functioning of the expander both to keep the
poles locked as well as ease of release for adjustment. MSR also provide
instructions on how to release the poles should the mechanism get locked.
This suggests that the LockJaw expander can lock. Should this happen, I
will apply these instructions and report back on my experience.
I noted in my Field Report that " I find that the LockJaw expander either
really does lock down and I have to bang the poles to get it loose or I
don't lock it properly and the pole gradually gets shorter."
Interestingly on my last trip, I seemed to be able to get
the setting right at the day's start and it was sweet there in. My
previous frustrations did not reappear. Maybe the LockJaw expander has
settled into its operations or something.
"Lightweight foam grips with anti-shock straps for
comfort." Comfort of the grips will be examined in varying conditions and
will be reported on.
I continue to be happy with the grips, having now used them on warmer days
(October is late spring for us). Given my walking conditions, weather
wise, I am very happy with the grips.
From the website:
"Ideal for Fast & Light trips where weight is of paramount importance."
"Full carbon-fiber construction reduces weight and dampens impact forces
each time the pole strikes the trail."
"Anti-shock wrist straps absorb shock for a soft ride."
"7° Natural Angle grip provides the ultimate in comfort."
The last three points relate to comfort and use of the poles. I intend to
use the poles in varying conditions including off and on-track walking and
will report on my experiences in the later reports.
In addition to these points above I will be examining the strength and
durability of the poles; the ease of cleaning and stripping the poles down
after use in varying bushwalking conditions; continuing ease of adjusting
and locking the wrist straps.
My comments from the Field Report still stand; "as outlined above, I am
pretty happy with the poles. I have found them comfortable, easy to use,
functional, easy to strip down and clean and easy to put back together.
I have not experienced anything to date to suggest strength or durability
issues and I have used the poles in some off-track walking conditions
where it is easy to catch and bend or break poles. So far, no damage."
Thanks to Mountain
Safety Research (MSR)
and BackpackGearTest.org for
the opportunity to participate in this test.
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