The use of trekking poles and trail degradation in Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal Himalaya

The growing prevalence of trekking poles has prompted concerns regarding their environmental impact, particularly in relation to trail erosion. Especially, the uncapped (metal-tipped) poles are considered a potential trigger for the acceleration of soil loss from bare trail surface. This study aimed to understand the ratio of visitors using trekking poles to those not using them within Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal Himalaya, and examine the usability of smartphone-based 3D scanning for quantifying the influence of trekking poles on trail degradation. Our data reveal that 53.6% of visitors utilized trekking poles, with 59.2% of these users employing uncapped poles. Our findings suggest that uncapped poles generated numerous small holes on the trail surface, contributing to erosion, especially following the monsoon season when the trail surface is loose. This study underscores the necessity for improved trail management practices, including the advocacy for capped poles, to mitigate further trail erosion. These insights are vital for reconciling the ecological demands of increased foot traffic with the nature and culture conservation of mountain national parks.