Being a snowboarder, poles were always another aspect of skiing that seemed fairly stupid and unnecessary. The only viable use that I could see was to make me laugh on the Killington lift when some Joseph from NJ would explode into a flurry of bits and pieces, leaving parts strewn across the hill. I still contend this to be true for all those downhill dweebs, however years of slogging around the Northeast has taught me the value of having a good pole(s) in my arsenal.

I last purchased hiking poles around 12 years ago. At that point in my life I couldn't be bothered with details, I just walked into EMS and bought whatever collapsible pole was in front of me. They ended up serving me well, through trips to Tuckermans, the Alps and New Zealand, until last year when one finally failed. I cannibalized another set of poles to limp through the season but knew that I would be needing some fresh gear this year.

Over the years, I have learned quite a bit about poles through the trials and tribulations of various snowboarding missions. However, I still figured I should consult with the local expert in all things gear, Steve Atocha owner of Middlebury Mountaineer. Steve was quick to recommend the Black Diamond Expedition Poles as the "baller" pole. I did some research to validate and ended up getting a set. I had no intention of doing a review, I mean we are only talking about poles, until I used them. So here it is, the Black Diamond Expedition review.

Collapsed Length

I had one requirement for the new poles, to have a shorter collapsed length than my current ones. After taking some rough diggers at Tucks, I wanted something as tight as possible to my pack. The Expeditions shaved nearly 3 inches off the collapsed length. This allows them to sit just about even with my Dakine Poacher pack.

Locking Mechanism

The other issue I consistently battled with my old poles was that they would collapse at inopportune times. This was a result of the twist lock method of holding the sections in place. For whatever reason, my poles always decided to unlock when I was relying on them to not fall off the side of Tucks.

Black Diamond has patented the FlickLock system, which brilliantly and simply solves this problem. The FlickLock uses a basic mechanism to secure the sections. This allows for a more stable lock that will not come undone while edging across a cliff face. It also means less parts to break, which is always a good thing in the backcountry. Combined with the light aluminum build, the Expeditions feel amazingly solid. This system really leaves Black Diamond unparalleled in the world of collapsible poles. Really the only decision left is what model to get. (Note: RED used to have a pole that used the Black Diamond system, however it appears they are no longer available.)

The Little Things

Much like Arc'teryx, Black Diamond's attention to detail in even the simplest of pieces is amazing. This is the sort of stuff that if a sales goon told you in the store, you would call bullshit on the spot. However when you are half way up the mountain you take notice. The one thing that sticks out to me is the strap. Termed an easy access wishbone design, which meant nothing to me, it is actually set up to cradle your hand and does feel great. Add to this, a very well designed grip and you have a nice little touch to something that can be very stock.

Things to Improve

There really isn't a lot to improve on these but in the interest of being critical, here are my few:

1. The biggest thing that bothers me is that when the poles are fully collapsed, the bottom section does not lock in place. This is because the end of the pole necks down and the FlickLock doesn't grab it. I don't carry an ice ax for Tuckermans and instead fully collapse my poles. It isn't the biggest deal because I can just extend until they lock.

2. The look has grown on me, despite its late 70s ski inspiration. However, in my opinion all accessory pieces should either be black or blaze orange. The baskets, straps, and handles should at least be a high visibility color for spotting in an avalanche and for seeing in white-out conditions. To date the best looking poles I have ever seen were sold by Dakine. Sadly it appears that Dakine has discontinued their backcountry gear or at least they don't put it on the site.

3. This is less a complaint and more a suggestion that arose during my last trip up Mad River Glen. I realize that the point on the end of the pole is concave so it can "grab" rocks better. However, it would be sweet to have a flat head on one and a phillips head on the other. Then you would always have a screwdriver with you in the backcountry. If the poles are only being used for winter activities the ends would stay in pretty good condition and you wouldn't need the rock grabbing capability.

Background

From Wikipedia:

Black Diamond Equipment is a Utah based manufacturer and distributor of climbing, mountaineering and ski equipment. The company was formed out of Chouinard Equipment Ltd., which was sold to its employees in about 1989 following bankruptcy reorganization. It was acquired for $90 million in 2010 by Clarus Corporation, a shell company run by Warren B. Kanders, previously chief executive of Armor Holdings, a maker of bullet-proof vests and related equipment. The surviving business entity following the acquisition will be publicly traded under the name Black Diamond Equipment.

Black Diamond was founded on December 1, 1989 when the assets of Chouinard Equipment Ltd. were purchased by Peter Metcalf, Maria Cranor, Meredith Saarinen, Hong Kyu Kwak, plus other former Chouinard employees and a few outside investors. Birth of the new company was facilitated by Yvon Chouinard, who extended deadlines until financing could be arranged.

During the late 1980s, Chouinard Equipment Ltd. was the target of several liability lawsuits, mostly the result of non-climbers who alleged not that the equipment was defective, but that there was insufficient warning of the dangers of climbing. Yvon Chouinard placed the company in Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early 1989.
On founding, the company was located in one end of the Patagonia warehouse in Ventura, California. The company moved from Ventura to the Salt Lake City, Utah, area on September 1, 1991.

Black Diamond established itself as a maker of high quality climbing gear and backcountry skiing gear. Black Diamond manufactures a small part of climbing gear in a Salt Lake City facility (including carabiners and climbing protection), has most gear manufactured to specifications elsewhere (mostly in China), and distributes other brands in the United States, including Beal Ropes[citation needed] and Fritschi Diamir backcountry ski bindings. Black Diamond purchased Bibler Tents and Ascension Enterprises to add to their line of mountaineering and backcountry skiing products.
Black Diamond prides itself on developing innovative new equipment, but also, as advocated by Yvon Chouinard, on giving back by supporting conservation and advocacy groups like The Access Fund, The Nature Conservancy, The Utah Avalanche Forecast Center, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, The American Alpine Club, and other climber- and skier-oriented non-profits.

One Sad Note

Though the old poles are not completely retired, they won't be seeing the same action. This saddens me as I will no longer get to sport my 99 US Open "I'd Rather Be Riding Barret Christy" sticker in the backcountry.