APPLICATION: Gossamer Gear Lightrek Plus Trekking Poles - Carol

APPLICATION TO TEST:  Gossamer Gear Lightrek Plus Trekking Poles

I HAVE REVIEWED THE REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTING AND REPORTING IN 
CHAPTER 5 OF VERSION 1202 OF THE BGT SURVIVAL GUIDE.  I UNDERSTAND 
AND WILL COMPLY WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS.

My tester agreement is on file and I understand the 4-month test 
cycle length.  

IF I AM SELECTED TO TEST THESE POLES, I REQUEST 120 CM POLE LENGTH.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name:  Carol Crooker
Age:  46
Gender:  Female
Height:  5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight: 160 lbs (73 kg)
Email:  cmcrooker (AT) att (DOT) net
City, State:  Phoenix, Arizona


BACKPACKING BACKGROUND
For the past 7 years, I've backpacked about 30 days each year.  My 
trips were from 2 to 28 days, with my usual trip being 3 to 6 days 
long.  Most of my trips have been in Arizona with the High Sierras, 
Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Pennsylvania, and New York 
thrown in for variety.  Weather has varied from 107 F to a low of 0 
F (42 to -18 C).  Most of my backpacking trips are solo.  My three-
season base pack weight varies from 10 lbs (5 kg) to 5 lbs (2 kg), 
depending on the weather.  My winter base pack weight is about 16 
lbs (7 kg).  I use a tarp for shelter all year round.

TEST PLAN
I use trekking poles on nearly every backpacking trip and for day 
hiking to save my knees.  I've used the Gossamer Gear Lightrek poles 
for a little over a year and love them.  I've used them in all kinds 
of weather, including snow, but mostly in hot, dry conditions.  I 
use the poles to support whatever tarp I'm sleeping under. My first 
trip with the Lightrek poles was into the Grand Canyon and along the 
Tonto Trail.  They received their toughest test on that trip. The 
poles worked well, but a stiffer pole would have been even better as 
I put quite a bend into the poles on several occasions. I've also 
tightened down a tarp so much that the Lightrek pole was bent in the 
morning ? not permanently fortunately.  I'm a gram fanatic, but the 
extra 0.5 oz (14 g) for each Lightrek Plus pole seems well worth the 
added strength. 

My test plan is to use the Lightrek Plus poles on all my backpacking 
trips during the test period, including snow camping trips, and day 
hiking as well.  I plan on a 2-5 day backpacking trip each month 
during the test period, and will ensure I meet the 5-night 
requirement. My planned trips are:
a 4-day backpacking trip in the canyons of Grand Gulch, Utah in 
early October,
a 3-4 day trip in Arizona in November, likely in Saguaro National 
Park near Tucson, AZ, 
a 3-4 day trip in Arizona in early December, likely in the 
Superstition Wilderness near Phoenix, AZ,
a 4-day snow camping trip in January, possibly in Utah or Montana, 
with Arizona as the backup plan,
the February and March trips aren't planned yet, but I'd like to get 
in another snow camping trip this winter.

I normally day hike once a week on very rocky desert terrain, and 
will use the Lightrek Plus poles on those hikes.

If I'm selected as a tester, the following are particular AREAS I'LL 
BE CHECKING OUT:  
- Quality of construction.

- Strength and stiffness.   

- Use to support a tarp. 

- Comfort of the new EVA Cork-o-lon grips.    

- How stable and safe do I feel using the poles?

- Pole tip grip on rock.

- Use as a snowshoe pole ? is it viable to use larger snow baskets 
on the poles or are the provided baskets big enough? 

- How do the poles manage tarp support on a snow base?


LINK TO TESTER REVIEWS        
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/tester_reviews/cmcrooker

TESTS IN PROGRESS
None

TESTS COMPLETED
Gossamer Gear Spinnshelter
Outdoor Research Sahara Cap
Gossamer Gear Mariposa
Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad
Psolar Balaclava
Integral Designs Hot Socks and Down Mitts
Mountainsmith Wisp Sleeping Bag
Princeton Tec Scout headlamp
RITR Extreme Journal 
Wild Roses Sedona Rose P-tights
Six Moon Designs Moonlite pack
Black Diamond MegaLight tarp
Cloudveil Four Shadows Beanie

OWNER'S REVIEWS WRITTEN
Buff, Multi-functional head and neckwear
Thermachron iButton temperature recorder
Western Mountaineering Highlite Sleeping Bag
Therm-a-Rest UltraLite ¾ sleeping pad

MONITOR FOR:
Kinesys SPF 30 spray
Dunham Terrastryder low

COMPLETED TEST SERIES I WAS MONITOR FOR:
Shock Doctor Ultra Custom Footbeds
Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo
IBEX Outdoor Clothing Shak Jersey 
HighGear Axis altimeter watch
Dunham Waffle Stomper Paramount Boots
Keen Newport H2 Sandals
Watchful Eye Designs OP SAK
Brasslite Turbo I stove
Adventure Medical Kits UltraLight .9 First Aid Kit, Long Term 
Reports only 
Adventure Medical Kits Bivvy and Extremity Warmers

Thanks for considering my application!   







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