Walking Poles - I hate myself just thinking of them!

[Tarrel]

I took one with me when I did Scotland coast to coast. It was one that doubled as a photo monopod, which was useful, but the Number One main use for it was during river crossings. Grip it with both hands, face upstream and wade across crab-style. It turns you into a tripod, with much greater stability and less chance of getting a ducking with all the consequences of wet clothing, wet kit and hypothermia.

Also, I'm not that confident on steep descents. The pole made me feel safer and speeded me up when coming down steep, slippery slopes.

Finally, a lot of single-skin "tarp-tent" style shelters can be erected with just a single walking pole, saving weight and achieving the holy grail of backpacking (and bug-out bags), i.e. multi-purposing.

[Mortblanc]

First time I have ever heard a walking staff referred too as a "vile thing" as if it had an evil will of its own.

It is a stick, turned into a tool, probably one of the first tools invented my man.

First came into use when some slope headed creature finally decided it was best to carry the stick from one place to the other where a stick might not be available. Found it was not only useful for smashing into termite mounds but also for digging roots and smacking the odd sabre tooth that might come along.

My own has a very nice brass fitting on top for use as a stray dog smacker.

[Tartar Horde]

Mort, I think Scythe meant "walking Poles" when refering to "Vile things".

[Mortblanc]

Same thing. It is an inanimate object with no will of its own.

How is a telescopic pole with a grip on one end "vile"?

Vile people can do vile things, but a pole has no soul!

[Lightspeed]

Maybe Scythe was referring to Polish pedestrians????

[Scythe13]

Using poles to walk is like having stabilisers on a bike.

[CharlesHarris]

Young man, when you get to be an old dodger in your late 60s, your walking stick is your best friend. Mine is of Chinese waxwood, with Marbles compass set into its threaded brass butt cap, which contains a Sparklite striker, tinder and emergency money. The smaller pointy end is also threaded and accepts either a rubber "foot" (for city use) or a steel spike for use on softer terrain, which is a dandy deterrent keeping aggressive dogs, misguided hari krisnas or hippies at a distance. I need not worry about Scots or Irishmen, if approached I ask where a stranger might find a wee bit of spirit and they are happy to guide me. 8-)

[Mortblanc]

[Scythe13]

[Bug_out_Bag]