MORE THAN A STICK

A hiking stick is more than a stick it is actually a tool. It’s the type of tool that many hikers rely on to make a hike more convenient with less stress to the body and an overall more enjoyable experience. An auto mechanic once told me that quality tools make all the difference. That is why it is important to not pick up just any old stick off the ground, and call it a hiking stick. A hiking stick needs to be carefully selected. There is an art to picking out that ideal stick.

THE FIRST STEP

The first step is finding a stick that will help you out on your trek. When walking in a wooded area there tends to be many opportunities to find a stick on the ground near a dead tree or knocked over tree or some other group of braches lying around. However, it’s not easy finding the ideal stick to match your needs. Trust me, I’ve gone over six miles or more before finding the ideal stick. There have been times where I never found the perfect match, and I suffered without a stick on some steep inclines. I’m not saying sticks are a necessity, but it sure does help to have one.

THE SEARCH

I’ve found the best success for a quality hiking stick is near or in a flowing stream or creek. Here you can usually find an assortment of driftwood that is typically hardwood that has been toughened up by nature’s elements. I suggest you look for oak, juniper and other harder woods. Pines are softer wood, and have a greater tendency to break. Don’t get me wrong however, I’ve found some solid pine branches that have taken me to some great peaks, like San Gorgoinio for example. 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR 

There are about a half dozen key features to look at when selecting a stick. Depending on your preference you will want to find a stick with most of these features that fit what’s most comfortable for you. First is the bend. Some people like a slight bend or curve in the stick. Many times you can’t help but find sticks with bends. I personally prefer my stick to be as straight as possible. You want to make sure the stick is hard with lots of strThe Ideal Hiking Stickength and enough durability to get you through the your trek.

The top grip should fit comfortably in your hand. I suggest you look for a grip that has a groove to rest your thumb on. The diameter is crucial. You don’t want too much girth, because it will tire your hands out quickly, and you don’t want it to thin for the same reason. You want to make sure the bottom portion of the stick has a firm grasp of the ground and make sure it can handle all terrain.

Lastly and one of the most important factors when choosing a hiking stick is the height of the stick. From my experience I’ve found the most effective way to find the ideal height for a hiking stick is to stand it up erect next to your body. The ideal height is at the mid section of your chest and no higher than your shoulder. If you find a stick that meets all the other criteria you are looking for, but is too long, I suggest you crack it over a rock or tree until you get the perfect height. This takes some practice. Often times it breaks too much or cracks in the wrong place, etc. One last thing is be sure to remove all unnecessary twigs and snags.

Happy Trails,

Daniel Pea