Why I Use a Walking Stick in the Woods

[@Counselor77]

Walking sticks have been used by travelers for thousands of years now and your video is a fantastic way to promote the use of this indispensable tool. I got a young cedar tree and I cut a groove about 2 inches from the top to tie a lanyard, then I drilled a small hole in a copper pipe cap to put on the bottom and then I got my GPS holder with velcro straps attached near the top and my staff is long enough to use as a prop for a shelter if I needed it.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thedriftingspore]

Those are all the reasons I bring a staff with me when I'm in the woods. I'm going through your older videos here and appreciate what your passing along man. From a fellow Nova Scotian I thank you!

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Right on thanks :)

[@kurtbaier6122]

Used one in the 1960s to 1970s in the Boy Scouts and later in life. So many uses. You covered a few. Falls and mechanical injury prevention is certainly at the top. Stability on uneven ground or ascending or descending is a must, as is in fording creeks or getting out of muddy creek bank. And it also not only helps to quicken your pace, but it can hepl you rest by leaning upon it when you don’t want to sit. And it can be used as an arm extension to help a companion up out of a creek bank or up a steep hill. And to get water by attaching your pot to it so your trail shoes or boots won’t get muddy or wet. Or to reach for water past the muck that accumulates at the waters edge. And it can be used to establish a hand hold between two trees in order reach for something or to squat when nature calls. To help hold one’s pack up off the ground at camp, Or hold a Jacket against a tree from getting wet or muddy, or to help dry a rain jacket or poncho against a tree. And definitely for dealing with spider webs and branches, and thorny vines, and for moving objects out of the way along the trail or where you are going to sit or bed down for the night by flicking them out of the way. And to help hold up a tarp or part of a tarp. And to act as the 3rd leg of a tripod or a cross member to dry clothing or shoes or boots instead of rigging a clothes line. It can be used to knock down dry wood higher up on a dead tree or pine cones down for fire making. And to move burning sticks back into the fire or to remove pots with bails from the fire. To stir the coals after dosing them with water. And to check for snakes. Or with a stick wth a natural wye to help you catch snakes. And you can also add Cordage, over fishing line, leaders sinkers and hooks, and add gorilla tape to it, or lines of measurement like a yard stick, Some folks also add a button compass at the top, or a hook. And you can drill two holes and add bolts and wing nuts to attach a saw blade, or the Cold Steel Shovel head. Or a spear blade or frog gig. I agree minimum height should be at your arm pit to the top of your head. And it should be light. Maple and bamboo are easy to come by. I enjoyed the article.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Wow thank you for this response! I think I will turn it into a video - all good points, and many of them are things I do that I didn't even think about when making the video!!!

[@ilkkavalkama1710]

Also learned the importance as a boy scout. I like one about my height. Put a brass plumbing connector on the bottom to keep it from breaking up. To add grip on slippery conditions (rock and ice) put a brass screw on the bottom as well and cut off the end of it. Used brass so it won't create sparks against rocks and possibly cause wildfire.

[@marklazarus2584]

You make hiking in the woods so attractive, break an arm, leg or loose an eye. 😊

[@keepermovin5906]

I was hiking a very poorly marked trail and I wound up following a deer trail because some joker marked it with a stack of stones. I had whittled up a walking stick at the head of the trail as the whole thing becomes an overgrown mud hole and a stick makes it easier to avoid the boot deep puddles, I especially appreciate this because I was wearing sandals. I did the math and I was only a mile off the main trail, the only problem being it was at the best spots a 70 degree angle with heavy vegetation (Pacific Northwest if you know, you know) all the way up. Now I’m not one to backtrack so I took my stick and said “well may as well give her a try” and up I went. Basically had to use the thing as an ice pick but it got me up there in Tiva’s one size to big. Very useful piece of kit, assuming you’re not climbing a rock face I think a stick can get you anywhere.

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Now I always carry a walking stick. I am in my seventies. The stick is great for stability, especially going down hills. 😊thanks.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Right on

[@gordonblair5372]

The walking stick is a multipurpose tool as you mentioned. I also have a mark on mine the same height as my boots. Comes in handing when crossing smaller waterways to check the depth of the water so I don't get a soaker!

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Good trick!

[@BrianDoherty-e8s]

Here in the PNW I use the old classic devil's club stem for a walking stick. After you shave off the skin and thorns it turns a very light yellow. The best thing is they are lite and strong after drying. I go crosscounty and use a stick that is head high. Excellent for going down grades -- and at the end of trip you are so much more relax and rested than going without a stick.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

" at the end of trip you are so much more relax and rested than going without a stick." you got that right!

[@jamesranger6283]

I have been using a walking stick for 25 years. It saves my back and knees. It is a blessing in the winter as well for the same reasons. rough terrain 4 legs is better than 1, I will settle for 3.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

You got it man!

[@SoldierDrew]

The old-school scout thumb stick is a very useful stick for hiking stick, tracking stick and shooting stick. I mostly use one for scaring away venomous snakes in warm weather.

[@Dragons_Novel]

I've met some dedicated hikers who swear by walking sticks and never enter the woods without one. Some of them use ski poles, so they've got two. I like my hands free and as you said, a walking stick can be 'made' (picked up) with ease while in the woods, so when I need one, that's where I get one.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

That main thing is that you use it when you need it.

[@luckychicav7981]

I agree with you, I always take a walking stick or look out for one to use. When I come out of the woods I leave it leaning on a path for someone else to easily spot and use. I like the stability a walking stick gives me for my footing, like a 3 foot stool. 👍🏼😉

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

I do the same thing sometimes :)

[@raymondharrison7035]

Good luck on your new endeavour. I have used a walking stick for years, I drill / counterbore into the top of the handle and glue in a small compass. Can see your direction at a glance.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

That's a great idea!

[@williamuhl252]

You're right. It's a pretty common sense thing that nobody talks about. I'm getting up in years and sometimes I don't navigate my movements the best. Having a stick is a great idea.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

It makes a difference!

[@snarkydinkfarm329]

I'm wishing you great success with your new channel... I'll be here watching this one too...

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

thanks!

[@troymanning3150]

Really good video! Never gave this much thought before. Thanks

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidscroggham3735]

Sassafras with varnished bark has a good grip drill hole 5" down for lanyard on 1 "1/4 diameter pole armpit high and 1"1/4 rubber cane tip

[@garthwunsch]

I have a nice ‘beaver wood’ stick. I put a leather thing near the top - seems to help me hang onto the thing. I also use it to rest my camera on as a makeshift monopod to stabilize my camera for slower shutter speeds of for nicer video. I’ve seen sticks with a short 1/4-20 bolt on the top end to screw into the camera base.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Good idea!

[@rezlogan4787]

The stability afforded by a walking stick is especially necessary on icy slopes. I’ve prevented some truly nasty falls when I slipped and used my stick to catch myself.

[@BingWatcher]

I agree with you that the walking stick is essential and never enter the woods without one. I am wondering if you have any ideas to increase the grip on the wood stick? Maybe hockey tape? Thank you

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

hockey tape would work fine - I usually use paracord with a spade-end knot

[@luckyomen5948]

A walking stick is also very handy in a tropical jungle, especially for river crossings. When humans walk, there are moments when we only have one point of contact with the ground. This is very unstable. In contrast, most other mammals walk on four legs, and when they walk slowly (e.g. crossing a river) they always have three points of contact with the ground, while their fourth leg is in motion. So using a walking stick basically gives us a minimum of two points of contact with ground. And obviously if wanted another point of contact for added stability it is not too difficult to pick up an extra stick. Another application of the walking stick is as a cane when walking on suspicious terrain with poor visibility. Basically, I can slowly probe the area before stepping, just in case there is a camouflaged snake. I'm sure it is more pleasant for the snake to be lightly prodded than stepped on, and it is more pleasant for me than getting bitten.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Good points

[@NewYorkJennifer]

Good idea! After all, do you ever see a dog fall down.? No! Those four legs are great. 😁

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Exactly

[@capitalistdingo]

People criticize me for not having one of those flip spikes when walking on icy sidewalks in the winter. Most of those critics are older people who use canes. The thing is I don’t use the stick as a cane (to support my weight). If I needed a cane I wouldn’t be walking on potentially icy sidewalks. Even a good spike isn’t going to guarantee that a cane won’t go out from under you if you are putting weight on it. More importantly, if you are putting weight on a stick (which would make it a cane) and your feet start to slip but the cane doesn’t you are effectively pushing yourself away from your centre of balance. I don’t use the stick as a cane (I don’t use it in the summer), I use it for proprioception. If one foot goes slipping and my centre of balance shifts I have information from the stick to maintain balance. But you can’t explain that to people who see sticks as “canes” after I started using a walking stick for winter after a painful fall, my late mother was always horrified that I wouldn’t put a flip-spike on the stick. She saw it as an indispensable safety accessory to “canes” for winter months. I see it as a good way to become complacent and start putting weight on the stick when you are getting tired on long walks which is more dangerous on ice, not less.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

That's an excellent point - yes, the main purpose - at least most of the time in the woods - is just like you say - information. Just gives you an extra way to feel your body's relationship with the terrain.

[@focusfit-dl5rk]

Thanks

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

No problem

[@lgarner9524]

Having a walking stick has been a form of security for me in several situations. In highschool we took a field trip to a forest that was known to have sinkholes. Having a walking stick would not keep me from falling in, but could possibly keep me from disappearing altogether down a fathomless pit. I have no proof that it works, but with stick in hand I enjoyed the hike nevertheless.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Sink holes are a problem. I've gone as far as my neck in the a couple times :)

[@commonman7776]

thumbs up

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Thanks

[@mandersson6754]

I have grey wolves now coming back to my area, for sure a walking stick makes you feel safer when being out there alone. They are said to be harmless to humans but sometimes attack pet dogs.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Wow - there hasn't been wolves here since the early 20th century. We have coyotes here now, although the coyotes we have are larger than most because of interbreeding with wolves. They can even form large packs in the winter. A couple people have been attacked by them, and one young woman was killed by them. Still, generally, they run when they see humans thankfully :)

[@mandersson6754]

@@outdoorsonthecheap Hybrids may sometimes be even more dangerous I have heard. The wolf was gone for over a century here too but is now allowed to populate more areas of our country. I welcome them back and hope they will control the deer pressure in my area (little effect after four years though) but the hunting community generally hates them as they can no longer use their hounds in the same ways when hunting without having them killed. Farmers get compensated if livestock, mostly sheep, is taken and the wolves are killed off by the authorities if they start to prey on cattle.

[@dano956]

Beavers make great walking sticks , just pick one out near dam construction site.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

I agree - usually hardwood too :)

[@donbrush]

Always take a gun into the woods.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Why?

[@donbrush]

Unexpected trouble. 🙂

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

Ridiculous.

[@donbrush]

It’s better to have a gun and not need it, but it sucks to need one and not have it. The world is not Disneyland, there are bad people, big hungry animals and you may run into them. Not ridiculous, prepared and better chance of living through adversity.

[@outdoorsonthecheap]

I am 50 years old. In the bush a lot my whole life. Never had any such encounters. Do you know how many people die every year in my province because they don't have a gun when they go in the woods? None. The idea that you should always take a gun into the woods is a preposterous notion perpetuated by gun companies that want to sell guns; and fake tough-guys that are so terrified of the wilderness, that they only feel safe if they their favorite pacifier within reach at all times.