Nancy: I bought a pair of Leki Super Makalu hiking poles a few years ago for a hiking trip in Italy. The trip organizers recommend taking one pole or a pair. I did not have a chance to use them here in Washington before I left, so I only took one.
I found the pole very useful for descents, crossing streams and belaying down muddy hills. The grade of the Italian trails was much steeper than what I was used to in the states, and pole really helped save my knees on the first few days of the trip. Several other people in the group purchased poles mid-way through the trip, and just found the going much easier with them.
I'm getting better at taking at least one with me on day hikes here at home. There is nothing like a third balance point for crossing swollen streams!
Monty: My favorite is the folding aluminum stick (Volk-Staf) sold by the AVA. I always carry it on a volksmarch and many is the time I have needed it for a stream crossing or muck along the trail. It has also been useful on the 4000' peaks in the White Mts. of NH.
My wife like to borrow the same stick for use on any woods trail as she feels she has to watch her feet as she moves and this provides a third point of contact with the ground. The folding stick was chosen for ease of carrying and it is always with me.
My favorite sticks are the ones I create out of cedar. I look for downed tree limbs and clean them off with a band saw. Then I trim them to accentuate the wonderful rose center core color of the cedar. Then I sand and polyurethane them. I attach a small rubber piece to the end similar to that found on a crutch. (The hardware store has a wonderful supply of different rubber tips). I usually attach some decorative wooden drawer knob from the hardware store to the top of the stick to set it off.
These cedar sticks are wonderful to look at and they are very durable. The weight is a consideration depending on the length of the hike. The stick is handy for scaring off dogs that attack you along the route. Hold it like a rifle, yell no and they back off quickly.
"Wimbearly":I particularly use sticks on trails, the more hilly or uneven the taller and more substantial the stick.
I collect sticks, and I choose firstly one that feels good in my hand. If cane height-one with a good height, and a comfortable grip. For walking, not just collecting, I want a strong stick that is light enough to carry without fatiguing the arms or hands. For a working stick I always add a furniture leg tip or crutch tip, to soften noise, impact and help with skid resistance.
I want a stick that is natural, not painted and junked up. If crafted, I want the work to be in keeping with the stick's character. I have a beautiful stick made from the center stalk of a tobacco plant. But the maker used dayglow webbing for the grip loops. I was so glad that the one I liked best was missing the hanging loop!!!! I have carved face sticks, beaded sticks, hillbilly unfinished sticks, and turned sticks. Each one reflects the beauty of the wood and the attention of the maker. Then there is old faithful hickory stick-he's my friend and companion on most walks- he perseveres without question and takes his falls in stride-while his fancier cousins would cry out in pain if they received a scratch.
Many people like the metal sticks- and while useful- they lack the singular beauty of an unusually shaped, or vine twisted piece of God's so wondrous creativity, often enhanced by one of his gifted children.
Lucy: I have found the Volksstaf wonderful in the mountains, when hiking with a daypack. EXCEPT if the trail is muddy....then the tip sticks in the mud and stresses the internal bungee cord when you try to pull it out. I love that it folds and holds shut with a velcro strap and is so small and lightweight.
