Those would be hiking poles. I can almost remember the brand, but not quite. At one point one broke and he mailed it to them and they rebuilt it for him.
They're 'Leki's. Also good are Comperdel, but they have no US support. Much cheaper are 'Swiss Gear' (or something like that) available at WalMart (though I rarely go there.)
Definitely thinner, and when he moves he looks like he ought to creak as he does... his new hobby is sitting, he says.
I can't speak for his energy, but he certainly has enthusiasm for what he's doing such as I have rarely seen in him of late. Only going to reunion and to Chris's wedding (and our anniversary) have produced a similar shine in his eyes or restfulness around them.
Yeah; some scary grade, but even scarier is when it's wet (rain). Saw a military jet buzz below us during one decent. That's some mountain when jets fly below you... ;)
That's some of the steepest, but I see something that steep prety often, just not as a sustained down like Mahoosuc was. It's often rock climbing with a pack on... ;)
