Can you hook up a two pole 20 amp breaker to a 30 amp outlet for a dryer?

Trekking poles are one of those pieces of gear that most hikers don't know they need, until after they've started using them. Once you've felt the benefits that they can provi…de, especially on longer hikes, there is no turning back. Here are 8 reasons you should have a pair of trekking poles in your gear closet.

We all know how tough it can be to maintain balance on slick trails, or uneven terrain. A set of trekking poles can come in very handy in those conditions, as it is almost like having an extra set of legs attached to your body. Whether you're crossing a stream, walking a muddy path, or moving across difficult ground, you'll certainly have more stability and confidence with a pair of poles in your hands.

One of the greatest benefits hikers will see when they first start using trekking poles is how useful they are when climbing and descending. They truly do help you to go up steep grades much easier, once again providing stability, power, and traction when you need it most. And when going down hills, the poles can help you to catch your balance you when you start to slide, potentially averting disaster.

They are also invaluable in terms of helping to find the proper footing to safely descend to lower ground. Trekking poles can definitely help hikers to move more quickly, even over rough terrain. That comes innately with an increase in stability of course, but because the poles force you to use your arms as well.

The motion of your arms will help propel you forward on both flat ground, and when climbing a hill, which translates to an overall increase in speed. It may be subtle, particularly at first, but you will find yourself going faster over time. Hikers who use trekking poles will find that their legs are less tired at the end of the day.

That's because the poles help to greatly lessen the impact from difficult trails on your legs, knees, and feet. This is even more pronounced if the poles happen to have an internal suspension system, which serve as shock absorbers, lowering the impact even further. Either way, if you use trekking poles, your legs will likely feel far more refreshed, even after a particularly challenging hike.

Many people like to hike because it helps to keep them to stay in shape, or to lose weight. Trekking poles can aid in that pursuit by helping you burn more calories. As mentioned above, using trekking poles will force you to also use your arms while hiking, even over flat, easy terrain.

This in turn has the side effect of burning more calories then you would if you walked the exact same route without using poles. Another benefit gained from using trekking poles is that they help to transfer some of the weight you are carrying, which in turn lessens fatigue, and once again increases speed. Often times, hikers and backpackers will carrying a heavy pack with them on the trail, but trekking poles can help bring that weight down substantially.

A study has shown that on level ground, trekking poles will reduce the amount of weight carried by more than 11 pounds for each and every step. That number increases to 17 pounds when moving uphill. That is a significant savings, particularly when spread out over the course of a long day on the trail.

Once hikers start using trekking poles, they generally find themselves naturally falling into a steady rhythm while they walk. This pace is dictated by the movement of the body, and has an impact on breathing as well. As a result, many hikers discover that they can hike for longer periods of time, at a faster rate, than they could if they weren't using poles.

The stability that is provided also means they are capable of tackling trails that were perhaps too difficult or daunting before, greatly expanding their options. Hopefully all of the examples above have already convinced you that using trekking poles while hiking truly is a great idea. But, they can also prove useful in a number of non-hiking capacities as well.

For instance, they are great for pushing branches or nasty plants, such as poison ivy, out of the way as you pass. They can also be used to keep aggressive animals at bay, serve as tent poles, and hang clothing to dry, amongst numerous other things. If you put your mind to it, you can probably come up with all kinds of creative ways to put trekking poles to use on your next hike.

Considering the fact that trekking poles aren't particularly expensive, they can start as low as $30-$40, it seems odd that more hikers don't use them. The benefits that are gained by their use far outweigh any drawbacks. If you're not already using them, give them a try.