Walking Poles (opt)
Walking/trekking poles provide stability and take some weight off your knees on the steep rocky paths to and from the mountain huts and on the glaciers, especially in descent. Opinion is divided as to their usefulness however, and they have to be carried on the more technical sections where you’ll be using your ice axe, so if you’ve not used them before it’s probably worth trying someone else’s before investing.
Poles are very much “nice to have” items, so don’t worry too much about whether or not to bring them – you can also easily find them in Chamonix if during the course you decide you’d like to use them. If you do decide to buy, go for the Black Diamond or Gipron “Flick-Lock” system shown in the photo rather than the more common twist lock system; the Flick-Lock system is much more reliable and will not freeze up and lock the pole in the extended position.
Suitable models: any using the Flick-Lock sytem, e.g. Black Diamond or Gipron.