My trekking pole snapped at 11,400 feet on the High Sierra Trail and a hose clamp saved the trip

Holly Craig · 2026-10-25T15:10:05.29317+00:00

Second day out of Crescent Meadow, right below Hamilton Lakes, I planted the pole on a rock slab and the lower section just folded in half. Cheap aluminum, my own fault for loading it with a 40 pound pack. Dug around and found a small hose clamp and a stub of duct tape in my repair kit. Clamped the two halves together with a stick shoved inside and it held for the last 34 miles to Whitney Portal. Ugly as sin but it never gave out. What is your go to fix when gear dies miles from nowhere?

🐿️Pinecone Attack

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My trekking pole snapped at 11,400 feet on the High Sierra Trail and a hose clamp saved the trip | Backpacking Routes - Pinecone Attack