Date: 2005-02-14
To: More advance trail magic
Miles today: 0.0

LEKI rules!I've finally seen the light and have started using hiking sticks after many years of avoiding the things. I really prefer to have my hands free.I tried them this summer on a short trip in the Whites and ended up carrying them in my pack most of the time. Not a good plan for someone like me who measures every ounce! But I tried them again on shorter day hikes on the CT AT near where I live this winter, and pretty much got used to them. They DO help, especially with power on the uphill, and where the ground's not too rocky that I have to make conscious pole placement decisions.Anyway, while taking the rig for a walk with Goldilocks near Silver Hill in CT yesterday (is it March yet?), I slipped on some ice under a bunch of leaves. The pole (a Leki Ultralight TI) was firmly placed on some rock and dirt, and didn't move. By the time I found myself on the ground, the pole was bent in a nice rounded 40 degree arc.Crap. I just got used to it, and now I have reliability issues. This is part of the reason I sew lots of my own gear. No manufacturers to worry about. But I don't see myself making a set of poles real soon.I was able to bend the pole back enough to finish the hike - actually it worried me just how very easily it bent back! Hmmm. When I got home, I straightened it even more, realizing that both the middle and bottom sections were bent. At this point I was able to telescope the pole, but still I didn't feel it was all that strong.So I called LEKI customer service this morning (spoke with Connie) with very pleasant results. My friend Stumpknocker always says how good LEKI has always treated him - one of the reasons I wanted a pair from them in the first place.The abbreviated version of the conversation went something like this:Me: I bent a pole and have a big hike coming up.Connie: We can replace the bent parts, no problem. Which pole?Me: Air Ergo grips, no Positive Angle, Shock Absorption...Connie: Wait! That's an impossible combination. We've never offered that.[After much discussion, we chalk it up to "who knows how it got that way", but the next part is telling...]Connie: Well, you can either have the replacement shock absorption section that bent, or we can replace all 4 lower sections on the pair so that you have no shock absorption, the way these poles were meant to be - your choice.Me: OK, the way they were supposed to be sounds good...Connie: [carefully] Will this satisy you?Me: I think so, yes. I mean, if I were to buy a new pair today, I'd probably go for something completely different, like NO ultralight (don't trust them thin poles no more, no way), Positive Angle, Cork grips, etc. But yes, for you to replace all that stuff for free is really great.Connie: [time passes] It looks like we're out of stock on those parts. We have to figure out something to get you your poles in time for your trip. (She brought this up, not me. I'm impressed). [ more time...] Well, it looks like we'll send you a brand new set of poles.Me: Wow. OK.Connie: [ again, carefully ] Do you like the grips you're using now?Me: Well, as I said, if I were to buy a new pair today, I'd get something completely different, like Cork, PA, SAS, Super Makalu.Connie: We're shipping you a pair of those that should arrive within 7 days, no charge whatsoever.Pretty cool, eh? Thanks LEKI! I guess Stumpknocker's praise was well placed.Is it March yet?