The simple techniques for using a Single Tall Pole (STP) make it superior to hiking with two short poles. Single tip placements on strong support points enable you to concentrate more on stable, secure foot placements.
The hands, arms, and torso form a support unit with the STP, stabilizing your body over the feet. This stability enables you to concentrate on making the best foot placement. These techniques can be visualized with annotations in the many photos and sketches.
The process of easily converting a tall ski pole to an STP is explained. Familiar activities you are using daily easily transfer to these techniques. Your STP is a tool that directly contributes to improving your balance.
Efficiency is the essence of balance, stability, safety, and easier travel. You build confidence as your efficiency improves, bringing more enjoyment to climbing farther, faster, and higher.
The simple techniques for using a Single Tall Pole (STP) make it superior to hiking with two short poles. Single tip placements on strong support points enable you to concentrate more on stable, secure foot placements.
The hands, arms, and torso form a support unit with the STP, stabilizing your body over the feet. This stability enables you to concentrate on making the best foot placement. These techniques can be visualized with annotations in the many photos and sketches.
The process of easily converting a tall ski pole to an STP is explained. Familiar activities you are using daily easily transfer to these techniques. Your STP is a tool that directly contributes to improving your balance.
Efficiency is the essence of balance, stability, safety, and easier travel. You build confidence as your efficiency improves, bringing more enjoyment to climbing farther, faster, and higher.
Available from Amazon
Published by: Bristlecone Publishing
Trim: 7" x 10"
Pages: 84
Paperback ISBN: 979-8218818951
Buy the Book: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Buy Local or your favorite online retailer.
Also available as a Kindle.
Praise for The Power Of The Single Tall Pole
As a long time hiker and backpacker, I have found hiking with a single tall pole has benefits well beyond the longer "plunge" step. The Single Tall Pole method for hiking is exactly what you want for all the times you wished you had a longer pole. Blake's explanations and diagrams clearly show how to master using a single tall pole while hiking and the benefits of this choice. I recommend this book to any dedicated hiker who is open to innovative ideas.
Jeff Voss
Since I started using a Single Tall Pole, I hike so much more easily, more balanced, and with more stability. I am more confident, agile, and no longer afraid of falling when descending steep rocky terrain. I used to cling to my two poles for stability and balance. With an STP, I hike more freely…and it is more fun!
Ann Nye West
Colorado Mountain Club
About Blake Clark
Blake has been hiking with a Single Tall Pole (STP) since his initial backpack (c.a. 1990) into the Grand Canyon.
He has since taken more than 35 week-long backpack trips there.
He continues to use his STP on all hikes, on and off-trails, talus slopes, boulder fields, backpacks, and peak climbs (including on 3rd and 4th class routes and Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks).
As a trip leader for the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC), he has been teaching backcountry cross country skiing for 25 years.
The intricacies of using the Single Tall Pole for efficiency and greater safety are a culmination of Blake’s experiences climbing, barefoot running, backpacks in the Grand Canyon, and teaching classic cross-country skiing — all of which he believes have a common thread.
Email: bcraven571@gmail.com
Contact Blake
Copyright © 2026 by Blake Clark | All rights reserved. Authors Nook Corner by YellowStudios.