Walking Sticks

Fact is I say, a decent stick is a MUST on any hike. Here in the Scandi forests it's essential to have a prod tool to check snow depth or boggy areas, it helps you walk&keep balance.Dogs can be warded off if needbe and the summer vipers can be pushed away or worse....Imagine twisting your ankle-a not infrequent possibility on rough ground & having no stick to help you limp back.
 
I haven't ever felt like I could benefit much from a walking stick. I'm agile enough still to be able to stand and walk even if the terrain is a little tricky, including the rather endless fields of rocks you'll find in some parts of Scandinavia, much thanks to the previous ice age. :D About the only time I will use a makeshift walking stick is testing ice or swampy ground for nasty spots. For these things, they're really quite nice. I don't think that justifies carrying one with me, so I'll just snatch a proper sized piece of wood if I feel like I could use one.
 
Mine's hickory from a local park. Beautiful piece of wood, and very, very strong. I added one of those leather wraps that is sewed up with leather cord like you see a festivals. Makes for a grippy hand spot. I really like it a lot.
 
Elen said:
...so I'll just snatch a proper sized piece of wood if I feel like I could use one...
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Sure, go ahead... check my post with pictures in this very same thread and go look for a proper sized piece of wood to snatch there... good luck! :D

Ok just kidding. I don't want to jump on anyone. I guess this is all about where do you usually move, in which conditions and how big of a backpack do you carry.... and since all of us live in a differente enviroment and enjoy different activities outdoors... there is no way we can all agree.

That said I guess is much more enviromentaly friendly to get a pair of light hiking poles than keep snatching live poles anytime you need one and throw it away after using it.

Mikel
 
Mikel_24 said:
Sure, go ahead... check my post with pictures in this very same thread and go look for a proper sized piece of wood to snatch there... good luck! :D

Ok just kidding. I don't want to jump on anyone. I guess this is all about where do you usually move, in which conditions and how big of a backpack do you carry.... and since all of us live in a differente enviroment and enjoy different activities outdoors... there is no way we can all agree.

That said I guess is much more enviromentaly friendly to get a pair of light hiking poles than keep snatching live poles anytime you need one and throw it away after using it.

Mikel
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I didn't say anything about snatching live poles. I don't do that. Yes, I'm well aware that some places have little wood to use as walking sticks or indeed as anything. Large parts of Lapland here in Finland have exactly that situation. The need for a walking stick, for me, though, isn't so severe that I'd have a problem if I couldn't find one. And if I'm going climbing or mountaineering, "walking sticks" ain't gonna do. It's going to be something designed for the conditions, not just a stick of wood. Your pictures were very nice, and I did see them. In those conditions, by the way, I wouldn't even want a walking stick of wood. Something specifically designed for that purpose I might like to have, but it's hardly necessary. Skiing sticks are different, my friend, and I wouldn't count them among walking sticks. Skiing isn't walking, nor is ice climbing. :)
 
Elen said:
...Skiing sticks are different, my friend, and I wouldn't count them among walking sticks. Skiing isn't walking, nor is ice climbing. :)
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I couldn't agree more with you Elen. My pal was carrying randonee skis and skiint poles because the three piece hiking poles can (and they do sometimes) collapse when loaded heavily.

I was wearing snowshoes and carrying three piece hiking poles (you can read LEKI on them) but those are the very same poles are the ones I carry (I change the baskets though) even in bone dry conditiones whenever I have to haul a big pack and the very same ones you will se along the CAMINO DE SANTIAGO (paved and dirt roads the whole time). I have a few walking sticks at home that my parents used to carry long long ago... but as soon as the first alloy hiking pole arrived home, they didn't get used any more.

The other main reason I carry this kind of poles is because they pack small and don't bother me much if i have to attach them to my backpack while climbing.
Mikel
 
Mikel_24 said:
I couldn't agree more with you Elen. My pal was carrying randonee skis and skiint poles because the three piece hiking poles can (and they do sometimes) collapse when loaded heavily.
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Yeah, that's not good - if there's an actual need for a stick for support, it would be nasty if it collapsed under the load, especially in mountain conditions, where it's quite easy to roll right into some crevice of doom if you slip and fall. :eek: :D
 
I believe that mine is made out of maple, because I bought it at Lost Maples State Park here in West Texas. I usually just make one all by myself whenever I feel the need to have one, but on that campout I forgot to pack one and so I bought one there for a simple $10 dollars. I actually just shaved off the bark last night after having it for several years. Now it's even more smooth and looks perty ;). The bark shavings look like they would make good tinder since this stick has long been dried out.
 
This is cool- I've been waiting for a good "stick" thread! I'm hoping someone can answer a couple questions for me-

I have a rather large (@5" diameter) stick that I've had for a couple of years, so I know it's dry, but I don't know what kind of wood it is. My question is can I split it up the middle and make 2 or 3 sticks out of it, or do you have to keep the core intact?

Would the hardwood dowels you can get at the hardware store work?

I appreciate any help or advice- not much suitable where I live and definitely not where I hike, I brought the stick from my old house.
 
Hey MVF, your on post number 666!!! :eek:. On a better note, personally I wouldn't crack it in half, because I would think that the center is essential in keeping the stick intact.
 
I just like the way smooth wood feels in my hand. I use a stout hickory pole procured from Home Depot. Already finished and sturdy. I believe it's original purpose was heavy mop handle. The rubber furniture foot at the base gets replaced every few months. I need something a little heavier to deal with dogs and a nice staff is just feels good walking the woods. One day I will make a nice cedar one, but for now this is good. (Interesting about the trekking poles. Now I want to try them.)
 
brians said:
Here's my Cabela's Guide stick.
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I use something similar - but no compass or secret compartment. It's a Tracks Sherlock Walking Staff - comes in really handy balancing a heavy pack on steep slippery trails:

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/s...6&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1

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My wife prefers the two stick trekking pole method. I've tried it and it made me feel like an insect - a very stable well-balanced insect :cool:

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akennedy73 said:
I use something similar - but no compass or secret compartment. It's a Tracks Sherlock Walking Staff - comes in really handy balancing a heavy pack on steep slippery trails:
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True. You never realize how much energy just balancing takes. Or crossing logs with a pack on.

I notice the most difference with a pack on trails that are so rocky that you can't put your foot down flat. Saved me MANY falls.

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i remember reading an article in backpacker magazine if i remember right where the author wanted to outlaw trekking poles on the big trails like the appalachian.

this was back in the 90's and i never read another one of their magazines again. he said the poles were disfiguring the rocks:eek: and should be outlawed so future generations can enjoy the beauty of the trails too. this imo is one of the most ridiculous things i ever read.
 
Thought I'd post up a few pics of the Calelas stick's accessories - including "secret" compartment for Kennedy:

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...and shooting yoke for Hollowdweller:

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Here are a couple of my favorite sticks. I use the CS walkabout and blackthorn a lot. The cane on the left was bought on line from a company that specializes in walking sticks, it's really nice, but I'll be darned if I can remember their name (I'll search it sometime).
 
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