1. 42" Carbon golf club shafts. $5 each on eBay.
2. Cork grips. $2 each at my local fly fishing shop.
3. Leki tips. $7.50 each from REI.
4. Bicycle handle bar tape. $10 at my local bike shop.
I glued the cork grip to the very top of the shaft with Gorilla Glue (it took a bit of filing to make the inside diameter of the cork grip fit the shaft) and wrapped a 9" section below it with foam bicycle handle bar tape. This "dual grip" compensates for the fact that the poles are one piece and can't be adjusted to be longer or shorter for going up or down hill.
When going downhill, I can hold the pole by the cork grip, giving me extended reach to compensate for the downward angle:
When going uphill, I can grip the pole lower down on the handle bar tape, giving me a shorter pole for steep ascents. One advantage is that you don't have to stop and adjust anything--just slide your hand down to alter the length instantly:
Finally, I epoxied the Leki tips to the end of the pole. I chose these because I already have attachments such as baskets, snow baskets, and rubber tips that fit Leki:
Overall, I ended up with a sturdy, finished product that only weighed 4.4 oz. per pole. The cost per pole was about $18.50 since I already had the glue, etc. that I needed. While not as light as some of the commercially available ones, like Gossamer Gear Light Trek 4s, it proved to be pretty cost effective with a little time investment. I think the most difficult part was tracking down the components. You could make a pair for $37 (maybe less) if you want to lose weight and don't mind the homemade look.
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8 comments:
That's an interesting project. I'd have to figure out how to add the straps though. My hands get fatigued if I don't use the straps properly.
That's a cool idea. Though, I'd like to have a field report to see how well they hold up on the trail.
Jason,
I just checked, MAKE Magazine has linked to your story on their blog.
Link:
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/12/diy_homemade_carbon_fiber_trekking.html?CMP=OTC-0D6B48984890
Cool!. I guess I've "made it"--get it? ;)
Brilliant!
But a more cost effective way might be to pick up "broken" twist lock carbon poles at REI for <$20 and then fix them.
be patient enough at the local driving range and the shafts are free. People break them and just toss them. They also make a keen weed wacker because they are so lite
Jason,
I've always wanted to have a trekking pole that could be converted into a spear by attaching a blade. That way, you could ward off wild animals or brandish it as a token of your authority...or, when you're starving, you could use it to forage for food like Wolf Mills...
Any ideas?
Whoa! That's a BRILLIANT idea! One of the best ways to catch animals in a survival situation is to make a spear from your trekking pole like the ancient Anasazi did countless centuries ago!
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