Durable and Functional!

By Donny Roth Ranked #109 - Backcountry Ski Poles June 14, 2010

I use the Traverse pole for a few reasons. One, they are strong and therefore I don’t worry about them while I’m abusing them in the mountains. Two, adjustable poles are nice. Three, they accept a Black Diamond snow saw easily.

Aluminum poles are tough. While cruising around the resort it’s difficult to understand why a tough poles is helpful. Once in the mountains the reasons become apparent. They get stuck between rocks, used as anchors, and generally hammered throughout a day. A carbon pole is cool - until it shears into nothing.

Adjustability is really helpful. I don’t get picky about my pole length while I am going up, down, and across terrain. But it is helpful to be able to shorten the poles while stowing them on the pack. It is also nice to be able to extend them while touring out of long valleys while in tour mode, but not using skins.

Attaching a snow saw makes cutting big blocks of snow much easier. Whether cutting a Rutschblock, or an extended column, it is a lot easier with a saw and a pole.

Certainly these poles are not the lightest of the bunch. But they overcome this deficit with durability and function. The FlickLock is a great locking mechanism. While poles with twisting devices constantly come loose, allowing the pole to shorten or lengthen, the FlickLock stays put - always.

View Details: Black Diamond Traverse Ski Poles

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