Three Sisters Loop:  On hike I covered 50 mi (81 km) in a loop around the "Three Sisters", also known and North, Middle and South Sisters.  Our party started on September 3rd and finished 4 days later on the 6th.  Altitude ranged from 5200 ft (1585 m) to 7100 ft (2164 m).  It had been raining and snowing all the previous day and night before departure.  The morning of the first day was foggy but no active precipitation.  There would be no rain or snow for the remainder of the trek.  Below is a brief synopsis of the daily conditions and experiences using these trekking poles.

Day 1:  12 mi (19.3 km) from Lava Camp to Soap Creek.  Today's trail started at 5300 ft (1615 m) following wooded Lodgepole pine forest tails, rising to 6100 ft (1859 m) after 3 mi (4.8 km), dropping again to 5300 ft (1615 m) at 4.75 mi (7.7 km), peaking again to 6300 ft (1920 m) at 9.5 mi (15.3 km), descending to our evening camp (Soap Creek) at 5700 ft (1737 m).  Brief portions of the trail would have been dusty and dry if not for the previous days rain.  The poles were used on one off trail excursion to get a shot of North Sister from between the trees were I relied heavily on the poles to keep from slipping down the steep slope.  There were two, non-technical, stream crossings where the poles were used to aid in balancing while traversing the log bridge.

Day 2:  12 mi (19.3 km) from Soap Creek to stealth camp west of Moraine Lake.  Continuing from camp last night at 5700 ft (1737 m), ascending to Green Lakes pass, 7050 ft (2149 m), at 5.5 mi (8.9 km),  descending to  6000 ft (1829 m) at 9.6 mi (15.5 km), ending the day at 6700 ft (2042 m).  Today's trail variously traversed Lodgepole pine forests with packed earthen trails, ghostly white forests of long past fires, crossing vast tendrils of pumice sand "flows" breaking up the north eastern slopes of South Sister, and finally ending in the wide fields of volcanic debris and gravel, crunching under every foot fall and strike of the poles.  I quickly learn that to maintain my sanity, I must block out the incessant clatter of the carbide tips on every step.  The approach to Green Lakes pass was very rocky and narrow, creating the opportunity to learn to pay attention to pole placement.  Due to chronic knee problems, I was very thankful to have the poles along on this section.  I also used the poles to lift one side of my hammock tarp to improve my view in the morning.

Day 3:  13 mi (20.9 km) from west of Moraine Lake to stealth camp south of Obsidian Falls restricted area.  This morning we started the day's hike at the highest elevation for the day, but our hike brought us through 6 ascents and 7 descents, the steepest of which was 800 ft (244 m) in 1 mi (1.61 km).  Our trail stared out in volcanic gravel, sand and dust for the first 3.5 mi (5.6 km), mostly through the Wickiup Plains.  Eventually, we descended into the soft and welcome shade of the conifer forests of the western slopes of South Sister where the trail was packed earth.  We crossed several Lupine and Bear grass covered meadows, some with extremely rutted trails that prevented proper pole usage.  In these locations, I tucked the poles behind my arms, tips pointed vertically up until the trail conditions improved.  At our morning breakfast stop, I used the poles to pitch my tarp in the sun to dry it off from the overnight condensation and morning dew.

Day 4:  11.5 mi (18.5 km) from south of Obsidian Falls, returning to trail head at Lava Camp.  Today was by far the hardest and most difficult trail conditions of the whole hike.  This was not the day of greatest elevation change, that was yesterday, but today was almost entirely spent traversing and climbing through volcanic flows.  The trail was narrow and the rocks sharp. Our morning started from our camp elevation of 6550 ft (1996 m), dropping only 400 ft (122 m) in 3 mi (4.8 km).  The trail then ascended up to Opie Dilldock pass at 7000 ft (2134 m).  The approach to Opie Dilldock pass is a 13% grade with many switchbacks through a very steep walled ravine.  Once this hurdle was conquered, our next challenge was Yapoah Crater, only a 5% grade with no switchbacks, but on very loose volcanic sand.  One step forward, two steps back kind of conditions.  This was followed by another mile of dense, narrow volcanic rock strewn trail, eventually leading back into the final 3 mi (4.8 km) push through the dusty, wide Lodgepole pine forest trail to the trail head.  The trail conditions on this day resulted in a fair amount of scaring on the soft rubber baskets and on the lower segment of the telescoping poles, but there was no visible damage to the carbide tips.  I found this quite impressive given the kind of conditions they were subjected to.

Day hikes and around the neighborhood use:  I have since used the poles while hiking on flat established trails and neighborhood parks.  I have also pitched tarps using the poles in a variety of configurations.  I have used the poles as the primary ridge line supports for a tarp pitched for ground sleeping, and as side lifters for my tarp pitched over my hammocks, allowing for unobstructed views.  I have allowed my children to try the poles as well, confirming that their adjustibility and weight meet the requirements of a wide range of uses and needs.