Trekking poles.

[kentrek]

I've got these.  They've been great so far.  Super light, lock tight, durable, but expensive.  I know some people prefer the adjustable length poles. But I use these going both up and down hill a lot and find the fixed length to work just fine for me.   

http://www.rei.com/product/877683/black-diamond-distance-carbon-z-pole-trekking-poles-pair

These only weigh 10 oz. for the pair.

  I've got the same pair I use from time to time...not so much for hunting but playing on big mtns they sure are nice on the way down

If I had hunting areas where I was packing meat down hill I'd definitely use them but unfortunately it's all up hill for me so I don't use them

[jackelope]

find ones that your hand fits over the top well . some are urgo and dig into your palms when your bearing down . rounded off are better 

Good point!  Anytime I am descending with weight I am out of my straps and I'm paling the top of the pole's so I can really put weight on them.

Maybe it was through growing up a skier but I've always stayed in the straps. No slipping off the tops, no losing the poles. Better leverage if needed in the straps.
 
Whatever works best.

[Karl Blanchard]

find ones that your hand fits over the top well . some are urgo and dig into your palms when your bearing down . rounded off are better 

Good point!  Anytime I am descending with weight I am out of my straps and I'm paling the top of the pole's so I can really put weight on them.

Maybe it was through growing up a skier but I've always stayed in the straps. No slipping off the tops, no losing the poles. Better leverage if needed in the straps.
 
Whatever works best.

I was told by a buddy that does a lot of mountain climbing that when going down hill, get out of the straps because if you go down and start to tumble, having a busted off aluminum pole, which now has a sharp point on it, is not something you want strapped to your body, so I have always just unstrapped.

[coachcw]

Karl's all about protection!

[jackelope]

find ones that your hand fits over the top well . some are urgo and dig into your palms when your bearing down . rounded off are better 

Good point!  Anytime I am descending with weight I am out of my straps and I'm paling the top of the pole's so I can really put weight on them.

Maybe it was through growing up a skier but I've always stayed in the straps. No slipping off the tops, no losing the poles. Better leverage if needed in the straps.
 
Whatever works best.

I was told by a buddy that does a lot of mountain climbing that when going down hill, get out of the straps because if you go down and start to tumble, having a busted off aluminum pole, which now has a sharp point on it, is not something you want strapped to your body, so I have always just unstrapped.

It might just be the skier in me.

[CAMPMEAT]

skiwalking.com

This is where I got mine. If you talk to the guy, he might give you a break on last years or discontinued ones. That's what he did for me..

[Karl Blanchard]

find ones that your hand fits over the top well . some are urgo and dig into your palms when your bearing down . rounded off are better 

Good point!  Anytime I am descending with weight I am out of my straps and I'm paling the top of the pole's so I can really put weight on them.

Maybe it was through growing up a skier but I've always stayed in the straps. No slipping off the tops, no losing the poles. Better leverage if needed in the straps.
 
Whatever works best.

I was told by a buddy that does a lot of mountain climbing that when going down hill, get out of the straps because if you go down and start to tumble, having a busted off aluminum pole, which now has a sharp point on it, is not something you want strapped to your body, so I have always just unstrapped.

It might just be the skier in me.

At least you're not a knuckle dragger

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Never even thought of using these walking sticks while packing meat out? Another good reason to keep up to date at the HW family on a Friday night!

[thom9719]

I went to goodwill and picked up some ski poles for a dollar. A quick coat of spray paint and they've worked great!

[BLUEBULLS]

I went to goodwill and picked up some ski poles for a dollar. A quick coat of spray paint and they've worked great!

$1 ski poles will always be in my rig for my buddies that forget poles or don't bring them. It's amazing how many people want to talk smack about trekking poles until they use them. Possibly the best idea ever to add years to knees.

[fisheral87]

I used a set of black diamonds this year to back out my elk. The flat tops definitely help as others have stated.

I'll never not pack them again.

Al