My local Costco has these poles for $30 right now, and they are also inexpensive on Amazon.
Another thing is trekking poles. You can buy any trekking pole at REI and love it. I have a pair by Leki and they rock. But don't. Not because they're bad, but because these are $23 on Amazon and are just as good
You should! You will only be able to hike bigger and more difficult things if you keep hiking them and pushing yourself. Hiking poles are not trendy, but they are very useful if you're prone to falls, especially going downhill. They aren't much help going up Breakneck but they do help with other climbs in the Hudson Highlands. They save your knees and you actually burn more calories using them because you are also moving your arms.
personally I like only using one pole when im hiking but to each their own. like the other person comment poles will save your knees, especially on downhills. if you want to try some but don't wanna break the bank on some expensive carbon fiber leki poles, then grab the cascade mountain tech trekking poles and see how you like using poles.
trekking poles are a savior for me on the ups and downs. If you want to pick up some cheap ones, Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles, are normally pretty good. I have a pair with a few hundred miles on them.
Got your camping spot booked? Most of the camping spots, cabins, lodges are booked through August by now.
KOA - Visalia should have spots left. Get your full access pass (Multi in and out) now. Dad, if over 62, could get a lifetime one cheap and lets him bring a guest (it's been a few years, but that is what I did).
You will have heavy traffic into the park in the morning and coming out in the evening. We left the tent & gear at the KOA but took the stove/kitchen. Roadside stop in the park for dinner. The propane bottle stove was fine (no liquid fuel). Rather than sit in traffic for 45 minutes, We stopped, made dinner, and went for a walk. By 7 PM no traffic, got back and relaxed before bedtime.
Hiking Poles. Get a pair for your Dad. Osprey backpack/bladder. Lightweight jacket, 2.5 liters of water, and a place to keep his medication. Pill containers like falling out of open pockets hiking. Best to take two containers. You keep the emergency supply of his Sinemet in a zippered pocket.
Keyword Parkinson's got me to stop. Oh, bucket list. Still working on mine. The key is to remain active and keep moving. If your Dad is still healthy, couch to 5K is good. I had deep brain stimulation in 2016, learned to run, and learned to swim after that. Did a few Sprint Triathlons in 2019. Keep Moving!
I have ones similar to this, bought years ago at Sam's club.
I cannot recommend a particular brand or model, link is for general idea only. I like them because they collapse down and fit in my closet or backseat easier and they can adjust for my wife or myself. Also I prefer to have my stick(s) longer when going down hill especially if the terrain is rough, and a few inches shorter when going up hill.
They actually have them on Amazon UK now! Just ordered another set as a gift for my dad :) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cascade-Mountain-Tech-Aluminum-Trekking/dp/B01L2HYPNW/ref=asc_df_B01L2HYPNW/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=330941257570&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3482244583688502077&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvq...
The problem (I found) is that Black Diamond pole baskets are just to soft to deal with a sticking heel riser (like my my Arcs did something awful). Then I bought these $23 poles that had a stiffer basket and now have no problem using the basket to push the wire down directly from the back. Would be perfect poles for the money, except the cork handles seem to ice over more frequently. But maybe look around for a stiffer basket, seems like the threading is the same.
I (35F, very fit) was hesitant in using trekking poles initially, but now love them! They help with my posture to ensure I’m carrying my load efficiently (less back/knee strain), make water crossings easier, add stability on inclines.
I use Cascade Mountain from Amazon after hearing good things about them from fellow backpackers. They’re very affordable compared to many others. https://www.amazon.com/Cascade-Mountain-Tech-Aluminum-Collapsible/dp/B01L2HYPNW/ref=zg_bs_3401281_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BGCP7GM8FX0MKTTNX8ZS
Get some poles. You won’t even realize how much they can help until you try them out. The ones I linked are aluminum and do the job just fine, but the carbon fiber aren’t much more.
Also get shoes that fit and good socks. I prefer darn tough myself. Lots of cushion.
I got these ones. https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01L2HYPNW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I'm happy with them, so far. I've had them less than a year. Where I live, I have ice/snow, and dry ground too, and I like the variety of tips/feet.
If you're just starting out I would start with the Cascade Mountain Tech ones on Amazon. You can upgrade from these and be out a net of probably $10. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L2HYPNW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Just picked em.up the other day Works great and cork
I use fancy Leki poles myself. But I spend dumb money on gear. Black Diamond also make some of the best poles.
If you are trying to save money - get these:
https://www.amazon.com/Cascade-Mountain-Tech-Aluminum-Collapsible/dp/B01L2HYPNW
If they break buy another pair. If those break buy another pair. If those break again - consider upgrading to something better.
>https://www.amazon.com/Cascade-Mountain-Tech-Aluminum-Collapsible/dp/B01L2HYPNW
Spot on bro!
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OP, keep in mind to price shop. The Big agnes tent listed above is $300 on amazon right now.
Oh you can use any trekking pole. Like you know how some people use a trekking pole in each hand while their backpacking/hiking?
Something like these:
Please update your link to remove all the path parameters.
For example: https://www.amazon.com/Cascade-Mountain-Tech-Aluminum-Collapsible/dp/B01L2HYPNW
Alps mountaineering offers a discount program for scouts. It is mentioned in a [boys life Q&A section](boyslife.org/outdoors/ask-the-gear-guy/8373/discounts-for-boy-scouts).
Steep and cheap has a lot of previous seasons great.
REI outlet too (also REI garage sales gir used gear if you have a store nearby)
Aliexpress is an option too for some things but you have to be somewhat careful and it takes a while to ship from China.
These trekking poles are great, you can sometimes get them at Costco too.
You can get by with coleman or ozark trails stuff as well.
I used coleman and ozark trails tents as a scout in Alaska camping every month. My gear then was a mix of military surplus, Coleman or walmart gear, thrift store, cheap gear from amazon, and one or two nice pieces like my sleeping bag.
Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Quick Lock Trekking Poles - Collapsible Walking or Hiking Stick https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01L2HYPNW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WIKwCb9YFHRPP
Walmart sells individual poles. Here's an aluminum, quick-lock, but foam handles
You can also pick up a pair of the Cascade Mountain Tech Poles (aluminum/quick-lock/cork handle) on Amazon.
This is my current weight-price spreadsheet. Note this is priced in Cad$.
I'm no thru hiker yet but I guarentee you'll be sending a lot of this home.
You could be saving a lot by getting a cheaper hammock and a lighter tarp. Check out the Tad Pole Tarp and the Dutchware 11ft 7.5oz hammock. As others said the ridge rest or zlite sol are good alternatives. If you want a full width pad look into the Klymit Hammock V.
You can get an equally light and large pack for less @ ula, see the ula ohm for a $210 alternative. Skip the stuff sacks and just grab some trash compactor bags or garbage bags. Compactor bags double as drybags/pack liners. These things are the core of the ultralight rain gear.
Next, hit up goodwill or salvation army. Get some non-cotton clothes, and let that be it. For clothes the usual for march-october is 1 rain shell/jacket/poncho, 1 insulation layer (usually a down jacket, see uniqlo for cheap down jackets), 1 ls shirt, 1 ss shirt, shoes (try some shit on. don't rely on reviews. The most liked shoe could be terrible for your foot. Go into a local outfitter and consult them.), 2 pairs of underwear (under-armor and exofficio are popular, don't go overboard), basic gloves (dollar store gloves will work, though a better glove is recommended. I wouldn't spend over $30), camp shoes (crocs/flipflops), merino wool socks (2 hiking 1 camp, darn tough is top quality, smartwool has good sleep socks though any thick wool socks will do), beanie/toque, and a sunhat (ballcap will do. If want to waste money check out the kavu chillaba ).
NEXT! Grab a sawyer squeeze. Don't need batteries and will filter water so you're not drinking "clean" muddy water. Grab a petzl e+LITE for some savings and a quality lightweight headlamp. The one you've got will do but is on the expensive side. Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Poles, the $25 trekking pole that works like a dream. The high end poles are pretty overpriced and unnecessary imo, some people hike with a stick they pick up from the woods in Georgia and discard in Maine.
Trowel is a trowel. People like the deuce of spades as its cheap and ultralight. I'm not sure whats in your toiletry kit but check out r/ultralight for some lighter options for first aid and toiletries.
You have no stove, you going no-cook? Try experimenting with a cat can stove. The cook kit is alright, though the spork and bowl are redundant. Eat out of your pot, and if you want coffee/hot drinks grab a cup instead. Lose the nalgene. Not worth. Grab a couple 1l pepsi's or smartwaters and use the bottles. Keep the platypus bag as a dirty water bag to go with the sawyer filter. Don't forget a food bag and hang line. If you have any questions lemme know. I'm no thru hiker but this is an amalgamation of dozens of people's advice from the AT and ultralight communities.
Lastly listen to the other people here. Good stuff.
I've had these for a few years https://www.amazon.com/Cascade-Mountain-Tech-Aluminum-Collapsible/dp/B01L2HYPNW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=NP9H6D6EUOWC&dchild=1&keywords=cascade+trekking+poles&qid=1618446333&sprefix=cascade+trekking+poles%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-3
I finally gave in and bought some sweet black diamond corks last year because I couldn't take the constant collapsing. I don't think they're the new UL version!