Knees

[JWreno]

I agree on using the poles. My wife needed to wear knee braces when we
started backpacking about 15 years ago. The downhills were killing her.
I bought a couple of pairs of Leki poles about 12 years ago and the knee
problems went away. They also make great tent poles and help crossing
rapidly flowing water. We also like giving our arms a workout along with
our legs. She did 10 days of the southern JMT in 2008 without any knee
problems at all. She hasn't worn the knee supports since using the poles.
We are 52 and are stronger hikers know that when we were 40. If you
hike in the Sierras, be kind to your legs and use poles.