Staff, poles, or ice axe

[ringzero]

This was posted over in a flashlight thread, in answer to someone's inquiry about hiking poles. (It was also off topic from what the OP wanted to discuss.) Anyone have an opinion on what works best? Any favorite brands/models?

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I've carried either a hiking staff, hiking poles, or a long ice axe for so many years that I feel uneasy not having one in my hand.

I like either a bamboo or a wooden staff, an inch to an inch-and-a-half diameter, with a length of about five feet. Basically, it's a short quarterstaff.

An ice axe selected for hiking will be way too long for climbing use. I like them from 38 to 40 inches in length.

Hiking staffs have saved me from nasty falls many times over the years. They've helped keep my balance and check water depth when crossing streams. They've parted the undergrowth to check for snakes, and cleared the trail of spiders.

A staff, hiking pole, or ice axe is also one half of the support needed for a lightweight, A-frame tarp. If you carry two hiking poles, you're all set to put up a tarp.

A stout staff or an ice axe is a whole lot better than nothing for self defense.

A knife can be lashed to a hiking staff with paracord to produce a usable spear.

An ice axe is handy for digging holes, in snow or soil.

Try carrying one of these hiking support devices on your next hike - you may come to like it.

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[JB01245]

I thought this was appropriate for this thread and forum. Who is going to be th first to mod it?

http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4161

 

[knot]

I use an old aluminum ski pole for hiking. I cut the plastic thing off the bottom.

You can insert a ski pole into an assailant's abdomen.

 

[ringzero]

I thought this was appropriate for this thread and forum. Who is going to be th first to mod it?...http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4161

Interesting find there JB01245.

Over the years I've seen hiking staffs and poles with built in compasses, knives, swords, alcohol reservoirs, and waterproof "survival" compartments - but never one with a built in flashlight.

Actually, a hiking staff is the right shape and diameter to carry several AA cells in series... With a screw off right-angled head containing a LED and optics, a staff could make a decent back up light. Thanks for providing an interesting idea...


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[Oddjob]

I used to use a one piece staff before I switched to trekking poles. I found the trekking poles that telescope to be very versitile for backpacking. I used to backpack with two of them and the ability to lengthen and shorten them was great. I once used them to set up a rudimentary A frame shelter and it was nice to be able to adjust the height of the shelter. Also I used one extended to full length to help hang up my food. They really came in handy once when I mildly strained my ankle and I had to rely on them to get me safely out of the bush. Overall a staff or poles IMO are mandatory for any backcountry excursions.

 

[AlexSchira]

All for a cane or staff if you like the feel of it or have knee problems, by all means an ice axe in the right climates. I prefer a stick of any length for my right side to test water, brush things aside, lot of uses already covered.

Trekking poles, though...Recently watched some one use a rather high-end pair walking along on a paved bike path out in the suburbs between a public library and a Panera Bread, had to take a wide curve around her on my bike to avoid being hit with one. It's easy to spot the marks they leave on some trails, they look like scars that will take a while to flatten out and that's pending some one else doesn't scratch it up again. For every person who I don't blink about needing the extra support, there's five people who must be using the things to walk around their houses and to get the mail, it gets that out of hand.

What's that? Your arms are tired?
Couldn't be the flailing spider-leg ski poles you're using to just WALK, could it?

It's an extremely abused innovation that hopefully will phase out eventually. If I develop knee problems later on, I'll use a pair when I need them. I will not, use them for walking on a paved road in the middle of civilization.

 

[Sharpdogs]

I use one of Cold Steel's wax wood staffs. I cut it down a little added a paracord handle and rubber cap for the bottom. It's a little heavy but I feel confident that it will hold up to almost any abuse.

 

[Omega Man]

I LOVE having a walking stick when I'm backpacking. It helps me dig in and get up that mountian, slowly descend the other side, and gives me something to lean on when I have to rest. Also like them for brushing aside branches and stickerbushes. I always end up having to find one on the hike in.
I like one that come up to about my shoulders.
I asked DX about the foldout size of thier poles, and they're only 37.5" fully extended, the same size as a yardstick. If these opened to a good 60" or more, I'd be totally sold. Buying a walking stick is so damned expensive.
On the way out the last time we camped, I stashed my stick by a tree at the begining of the trail, I sure hope it's there when I go next time.

 

[ringzero]

I used to use a one piece staff before I switched to trekking poles....Overall a staff or poles IMO are mandatory for any backcountry excursions.

I prefer to carry two trekking poles when snowshoeing.

Nothing else works as well for me to keep my balance on steep cross slopes, power my way up a steep snow bank, etc.

Having two adjustable height poles is also wonderful for setting up an A-frame tarp for shelter. Saves carrying the weight of tent pole/s.

That said, I just haven't been able to get used to trekking poles for "normal" non-snowshoe hiking.

They just feel awkward to me while in use. I've tried, but can't seem to strike a good rhythym with trekking poles for bopping down the trail at a good clip.

Also, I don't trust their strength when compared to a stout staff or ice axe. I've heard tales of them collapsing when highly stressed, which is when you really need them for support to prevent a fall and possible injury.

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[InTheDark]

Adjustable trekking poles for me, never leave home without them (on a hike). I've tried the others, started out with a 5ft section of 1 1/4" wooden pole, and recently (in the last 5 years) have switched to the trekking poles. A staff is still very useful, but once you get used to the adjustable trekking poles, you'll realize how much better they can be. I had an ice axe that I never used, I think that's a little too specialized to really be compared to the other two.

It does take some time to get used to them, it may seems pretty straighforeward but there is a proper technique. From what I've seen on the trails, I suspect that some people don't really bother to learn the how to take advantage of them, which is why they don't really like them all that much. You do really need two of them to be really effective though, just a single pole won't give you the same effect. Their ability really shines on harder, steeper trails, or with a heavy load. The more difficult the terrain, the more you will learn to appreciate them. I've taken a lot of people hiking, nobody seems to want to use them at first, until they get tired, or the trail gets more difficult. I usually carry extra sets on the harder hikes, and at some point when the people get tired, or the trail rougher, the inevitably end up using them and loving them.

I know in my experience, they allow me to hike faster and longer. Yes, my arms do get more tired using them, but it's a trade off. During hiking, usually my arms aren't doing anything anyway, the legs are doing all the work, so this allows me to take some of the load off my legs and knees. And on the downhills, I don't have to relace my shoes to prevent my feet from sliding forward. Using poles can allow you to use a lighter, trail running shoe, instead of a heavy leather backpacking boot. And they have saved me from taking some really nasty falls and sprains. So as you can tell, I'm a huge fan of them. I notice that people still have some sort of negative stigma using poles, like it's a sign of some sort of weakness to be using them. That's fine, I don't mind looking like a senior citizen, but at the end of the day, I'm not the one with aching knees and blisters on my feet.

 

[Stormstaff]

Nice walking sticks in my opinion : http://www.whistlecreek.com/


Another nice option : http://www.trackspoles.com/

 

[ringzero]

Nice walking sticks in my opinion : http://www.whistlecreek.com/


Another nice option : http://www.trackspoles.com/

Thanks for pointing these out Stormstaff.

That Sherlock staff does look nice, but seems a little overpriced at 70 bucks.

Those wooden staffs look decent are very reasonably priced, but the longest they offer is only 54 inches - too short for my tastes.

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[oregon]

Ice Axe:

I carry one when I expect to find ice on a hike. Good for cutting steps, speed control in a glissade (sliding down a hill on your butt) and as a last resort when you fall on sloped ice.

Fell once on sloped ice on a descent from the North Sister, central Oregon Cascade mtns. Although it was strapped to my wrist, when I used it to slow my slide it came out of my hands but stayed close to me. I picked up speed and began to bounce as I slid. Luckily the axe did not injure me. I flipped like a cat and tried to slow myself with my hands and feet facing the ice. I broke most of my fingernails, missed exposed rock outcropping, and came to a stop as the slope leveled out. Very exciting.

It is way to short to use as a walking staff unless used on the uphill side on a steep slope. The handle is long enough to give me leverage so I can force the business end into the ice.

oregon

 

[hiluxxulih]

Thats what I use , I bought two of them from cold steel . I dont think they sell them anymore .

 

[CaveGimp]

On a trip into the Grand Canyon in Nov 2005 I used a hiking staff (broom handle modified with cordage). It worked well but my knees took a huge beating. The next trip in March 2006 I used a pair of trekking poles. They rocked, my knees felt great. Same weight pack, same trail, a world of difference on my knees.

Again like many people have said a staff or trekking poles or ice axe have many other uses and well worth the extra weight.

 

[ringzero]

Ice Axe:

I carry one when I expect to find ice on a hike. Good for cutting steps, speed control in a glissade (sliding down a hill on your butt) and as a last resort when you fall on sloped ice.

Fell once on sloped ice on a descent from the North Sister, central Oregon Cascade mtns. Although it was strapped to my wrist, when I used it to slow my slide it came out of my hands but stayed close to me. I picked up speed and began to bounce as I slid. Luckily the axe did not injure me. I flipped like a cat and tried to slow myself with my hands and feet facing the ice. I broke most of my fingernails, missed exposed rock outcropping, and came to a stop as the slope leveled out. Very exciting.

It is way to short to use as a walking staff unless used on the uphill side on a steep slope. The handle is long enough to give me leverage so I can force the business end into the ice.

oregon

Thrilling story there, oregon.

I too have had a few unexpected descents on mixed snow and ice that were much faster than what I would have liked.

Here's something that may interest the ultralight packers, an ice ax just for walking use:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/ula_helix_ice_axe_carbon_fiber.html
Aluminum head and spike! (Never seen an Al ice axe before.)
Carbon fiber shaft.
Only 4.6 to 5.3 ounces in weight, depending on length.
Not for climbing use.
Expensive.

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[TITAN1833]

I use a trekking pole for walks.kept in house a cold steel african walking stick for defence.

 

[CLHC]

Anyone here seen the Crawford Survival Staff?

http://www.crawfordknives.com/SURVIVAL STAFF PAGE 1.htm

 

[oregon]

Thrilling story there, oregon.

I too have had a few unexpected descents on mixed snow and ice that were much faster than what I would have liked.

I had left a buddy, who was waiting for me (a smoker), at treeline. So, in order to not keep him waiting, I was moving quickly when I slipped. But, and this should tell you something about me, I was using instep crampons over running shoes (4 point crampons and Nike shoes).

I can't recommend the instep crampons for steep ice. However, I used them on Mt. Hood one year on New Year's day without event. The ice was like that from your freezer, solid and mostly clear.

oregon

 

[ringzero]

Anyone here seen the Crawford Survival Staff?

http://www.crawfordknives.com/SURVIVAL STAFF PAGE 1.htm

Thanks for the pointer, CHC.

I'd been aware of the Crawford Survival staff and recall looking it over closely at some point in time. Looks like a great design and might well be worth its price for some people.

But, I just can't see spending more than the price of a decent pack, tent, or sleeping bag for a walking staff.

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