I had one of those days that turned a fun hike into a mini crisis thanks to a piece of gear I thought was rock-solid. I was on a 12-mile loop in the foothills when one of my favorite trekking poles suddenly snapped right at the locking mechanism during a steep descent. For context, I’d been using these poles for a couple of months with a great track record. That day, with rocky sections and a few slick patches, the left pole gave way just as I was trying to steady myself on a tricky slope.
Immediately, panic set in—I trusted that pole to help navigate the rugged terrain, and it was literally falling apart in my hands. I pulled over and inspected it closely. The plastic locking collar had cracked near the hinge, meaning it couldn’t hold the adjustable segment in place. I remembered a couple of online posts suggesting a temporary fix: wrap a substantial amount of duct tape around the broken section or even use a metal clamp to secure the joint until you could replace it. I rummaged through my pack (luckily, I always keep a roll of heavy-duty duct tape for emergencies) and tried to tape it up as tightly as I could.
At first, it seemed like the taped join was holding—until halfway down an exposed ridge, the tape started to peel off more with every jolt of the uneven trail. I ended up having to slow my pace considerably because I wasn’t sure the fix would hold another minute. I eventually reached a trail junction near a small town, where I bought a replacement pole from a local outdoor store. The new pole was a different model (one with a reinforced locking mechanism and metal clips for added security) and instantly felt more reliable.
The whole debacle taught me a couple of practical lessons:
• Always inspect your gear before heading out—don’t just assume that something new won’t have hidden weaknesses.
• While hacky fixes like duct tape can be a lifesaver in a pinch, they’re often just that—a temporary measure. If you’re out far from civilization, they might work for a bit, but they’re not a long-term solution when safety is on the line.
• Consider investing a little extra in gear that’s built for the kind of rough terrain you often encounter. It’s tempting to trust budget options, but sometimes spending a bit more up front can save you a lot of hassle (and heart-stopping moments) later.
I’m excited to share this misadventure because it’s a reminder that even with a solid reputation, gear can fail unexpectedly—and sometimes the best fix is simply to replace it with a model that suits the challenges of your usual trails. Happy hiking, and may your poles always lock securely!