EZ, never used to use anything until I took some old cross country ski poles that I cut down to a comfortable lenght one day while doing a stretch of the Buckeye Trail in the CVNP. Made a huge difference, takes alot of strain off my lower back. With the points left on they double as litter picker-uppers when we walk the dog in the evening in the roadside ditches of the neighborhood. They can usually be found dirt cheap at garage sales also.
I used to pick one up on the trail and disguard it at the end. About 12 years ago I cut one from a fresh blowndown tree on the Appalachian trail, and it's been with me ever since. I varnished it and added a leather grip. On the trail it helps to transfer a bit of the load to your upper body. It balances you on those steep, slippery switchbacks and acts as a third leg while stepping stones across creeks. You'll always find new uses, a kickstand for your pack, spare shelter pole or a giggin' stick. I heard a story on the trail or possibly a legend, that some hiker regularely walked the AT, and carved elaborate walking staffs. He would leave them at trailheads with a note that said to use it during your treck, then leave it for the next guy. He would also leave his address and ask for a donation if you wanted to keep it. An experiment in human nature? LOL!.--Tim............................................... .................................................. .............................................
Had a bad experience when I was about 6. Stuck a walking stick in a ground hornets nest that i didn't see while hiking. I stopped walking and started running.. OUCH
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Always find one when moral hunting. Makes it easier to sift threw leaves and such. Also helps to avoid ground bee nests and a rare snake now and then. Takes a lot of stress off my back also.
Super duper sticks ya got there. Now i'm thinking of ?.
Had an ole Hickory staff that was given to me as a gift from my son's Boy Scout troop for attending yearly Summer outings way back when? A
great shooting stick also. Wrapped parachute cord around the handle. Then someone took it down in Missouri last season, My fault.
It was a great staff, especially for steading that unexpected shot, thumped a snake (Timber Rattler)a few year's back in MO. while Morel hunting. It hit the staff thankfully not my leg. No warning-NOTHING- 3.5 ft. long. Thumped it GOOD!
You could always go to home depot or lows and have them cut an oak (or other wood) dowel rod to your height. Just depends if you want to pay the money or not. The one i have from the boy scouts was made from a dowel rod and its still works just fine. Not sure if that helps, but just a suggestion
Hickory, Oak, ? Almost any type would do. My staff was made from Hickory cause that was what was available from a fallen tree. The scouts all carved their names & date into it. They blackened it in a fire, washed it down & then did the carving thing. So in over 35 years the staff was unique in character.
Been looking in ernest for a new one, Hickory, Maple, Oak, Osage Orange,????????? They'll all do.
so what makes a better staff, hickory or oak? good looking stuff jeffmo
I hope you're going to carve your own, EZ. It's a cathartic, almost spiritual experience.LOL!--Tim............................................... .................................................. .................................................. ...............
Have backpacked, climbed Adirondacks for years and never had hiking stick other than a stray branch picked up and discarded after novety wore off. for mountains, you need both hands and for balance, you are better off with arms being free. My opinion of hiking sticks is city hikers treking 2.0 miles and not for serious backpackers, unless you're going out in slippery winter conditions or have physical issues.
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Have backpacked, climbed Adirondacks for years and never had hiking stick other than a stray branch picked up and discarded after novety wore off. for mountains, you need both hands and for balance, you are better off with arms being free. My opinion of hiking sticks is city hikers treking 2.0 miles and not for serious backpackers, unless you're going out in slippery winter conditions or have physical issues.
A nicely carved hiking staff is usually just something extra you can't leave behind. As such it constitues a burden. Any old tree limb should do if you really need a walking stick.
I hope you're going to carve your own, EZ. It's a cathartic, almost spiritual experience.LOL!--Tim............................................... .................................................. .................................................. ...............Attachment 44473
i plan on carving many
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who uses a walking staff/stick
who uses a walking staff/stick
My fault.
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