How do I make my own walking stick?
Hiking poles are designed specifically to assist
your walks and your climbs. They are designed with the right amount of
“give,” they are unlikely to break, and they have been created to give you
the support you need to climb up the mountain. But not everyone has the
ability to purchase their own effective walking pole. For those that do not
have a pole available with a walk or climb coming up, you can make your own
using items that you already have on hand.
Choosing Your Stick
The first step, of course, is to choose a stick
that you can work with to make an effective walking pole. You need to make
sure the stick has a few things:
·
The stick must be strong enough to
withstand force (thick sticks are best, but also not worn down sticks).
Similarly the stick must not bend too much under pressure – it should be
able to maintain its shape.
·
The stick must be long enough that you
do not have to bend down to use it. If you have to bend forward, the
pressure on your back will negate the benefits of the stick.
·
The stick must be a combination of
thick enough for you to put force on it, but also light enough and
comfortable enough that you can easily use it for a long period of time.
Grasping your hand around an extremely thick stick can cause discomfort, and
a stick that is too heavy will do more harm than good.
·
The stick should have a top and a
bottom that are relatively in line with each other. The stick can bend in
the middle provided that it:
o
Can withstand your force.
o
Doesn’t impact your ability to walk
with it.
Once you have found a stick that is able to
withstand your force, is easy to carry, and provides you with the support
you need, the stick should suffice for a makeshift walking pole.
Turning the Stick into a Walking Stick
The rest of the steps for making a walking pole are
relatively straitforward. First, if you have sandpaper on hand you should
sand your stick to make it more comfortable to hold. If you like, you can
simply sand a large handle and let the rest maintain its natural appearance,
but a fully sanded stick will likely make less of a mess and be easier to
hold when you are not using it to walk.
Cut off any branches that could scratch or cut you
as you walk. Some people enjoy having a branch or two to use as a handle,
and that is fine, but if the branch has no benefit it should be removed.
Finally, consider adding a strong and powerful tape
to the handle to make it softer to hold, and remove any extra bark that may
chip off as you walk. If you chose a stick that is strong enough to handle
your weight, long enough to give you the support you need and light enough
that you are easily able to carry it with you, the final product should be a
decent makeshift walking stick that will serve you well when you need it.
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