Walks and Walking: A walking stick is a companion on a hike as well as useful in other ways. You can make your own walking stick or buy a stick.

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Walks and Walking

Walking Sticks
The Walking Web

By DH Owens

Walking: A walking stick is a pleasant addition to hikes or even  week-end walks.

More information about walking and walks for fitness: 

A walking stick can be defined as a fairly long straight piece of solid material used especially as a support in walking. But for the avid hiker, or even the week-end walker, it is so much more than that. 

Walking sticks are good for:

• Fording streams.

• Walking on a slippery trail or on damp, clay soils.

• Holding back branches or vines on the trail.

• Helping you walk faster.

• Balancing when crossing a stream on a log.

• Maintaining balance. This is particularly important when walking over rough terrain and walking down hills.

With a human being and a walking stick, you have a three-legged tripod for use in nature or even photography. 

Sticks can come with two different types of handles:

1. The support type--it is straight.
2. The crooked type--it is curved, but is often associated with a cane, not a walking stick.

There are basically two kinds of walking sticks:
1. Those you make.
2. Those you buy.

Whether you are going to buy or make your stick, however, you will need one that feels comfortable, both in height and grip. The shaft must be sturdy enough to support you.

Your walking stick will probably feel best if it is somewhere between hip height to a little higher than your waist. The grip of your walking stick should feel good in your hand.

If you are going to make your own walking stick, start with a dry branch of a tree--not a green branch. A hardwood tree, such as maple or hickory is ideal but not always available. 

Once you have the right height and feel, peel away the bark. Smooth it with some fine sandpaper, especially the hand hold of your stick.

You may or may not want to continue to smooth your walking stick, and may choose to decorate it. 

I recently saw a woman with a small notch in her stick that held a small drawstring purse. So let your imagination be your guide.

Your walking stick is not the same as a cane. It is a friend, a part of your exercise routine.

Walking for fitness:

Once you have made a walking stick for yourself, you might even consider making one or two for friends. Or make a new walking stick on each camping vacation or long hike. It is a soothing way to sit around a campfire.

Additional information about walks and walking.

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