Dana shares his favorite DIY hiking sticks and the history behind them.
Back in the day growing up in the steep hills and wooded bluffs of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, a hiking stick was picked up when the going got rough or slippery and was discarded in the woods when no longer needed. Later on I had a “shroom stick,” just an old yellow broom stick that I used mostly to brush aside the under growth when foraging for tasty wild edibles. It served to steady me when needed and would be used to defend myself from the Northern Timber Rattlers that live in the area.
Now that I have retired to the mountains of Northern Arizona, I find myself walking and hiking both for entertainment and to keep me and my furry four legged friend, Taani, from getting fat and lazy. Hiking sticks are now pretty much something that I feel is necessary when hiking the rugged trails.
I now find that I am the owner of five hiking sticks. One is a modern lightweight, collapsible aluminum stick that I got for backpacking adventures years ago. It hung from my pack most of the time but was really handy to have when I needed it. But it’s not my favorite.
My favorite stick was created by necessity on a week long pack trip on the Ozark Highland Trail in the mountains in Arkansas with my two sons Zak and Gabe. Gabe had stepped on a loose rock and sprained his ankle. We wrapped the ankle in an elastic bandage and soaked it in the mountain streams when we came across them. But the going was rough, so I cut a branch off of a fallen Ash tree and made a hiking stick that he could use.
As we proceeded with our hike, we improved the stick with items we found along the trail. A piece of para-cord hanging in a tree became a grip. A drawstring found at a campsite made a lanyard, a shotgun shell became a tip to keep the bottom end from splitting. As we rested in camp during the evening, we decorated it with a turkey feather, carvings, scorching over the fire and even etched with a nail heated in the fire which we found in a tree. Gabe died a couple years later and his widow gave it to me as a keepsake. I treasure those memories.
My “every day” stick is a hickory push broom handle, to which I added a rubber tip and a leather wrapped grip. It’s not fancy but is light, sturdy, and strong enough to defend me and my dog from any overly aggressive free roaming canines. It’s great for use around the neighborhood and developed recreational areas. I will probably decorate it more as time goes on.
I made a primitive stick for my wife Regina from a birch sapling. I shaved most of the bark and some of the inner bark off of it to give it the “look” that she wanted. It is now used as a curtain rod in our “primitive” guest room and looks great.
My latest creation is a fearsome survival tool, made from a piece of bamboo I ran across at a home decorating store. I did put a lot of work into it and placed a rubber tip on the bottom to keep it from splitting. But the real genius of this stick is that I knocked one of the cell partitions out of the upper end so that I can store essential survival supplies inside the tube. Then I made a decorative, removable cap that secures the contents and serves as a mount for my Survival Knife. It is an awesome weapon for defense from some of the very dangerous wild animals that inhabit the remote regions I like to explore. And I always will have water treatment tablets, water proof matches, fish hooks and 25 feet of high strength cord for snares, shelter building or maybe even a bow string.
There will probably be more hiking sticks in my future. Undoubtedly, I will find an interesting stick somewhere and another creation will follow. Stay tuned!
Dana Fleming retired from John Deere after 42 years of employment last year. He, his wife, and their loyal dog Taani (Shh!…she doesn’t know she is a dog), recently moved from Iowa to the mountain region of northern Arizona where they are enjoying exploring their beautiful surroundings and the old-west history. Dana has been keeping busy with a variety of DIY projects which he will be sharing here at Imperfect Women.
I rarely go hiking but I think your sticks are really pretty. It is very functional too. I have friends who love this activity. I hope one day I can go hiking too but I am scared of the wild animals and bugs. 🙂
I’m scared of the wild animals too when it gets dark they come out and I can’t see very well. That’s why the knife can go on the end of the stick.
I think I’ve only gone hiking twice and the second time I was lugging around a big nasty tripod (my “hiking stick” haha). Got lots to learn obviously. I think I want (need??) that survival stick!
Wow! You are quite the handy man! These are great walking sticks. I bet you could sell some if you wanted another income source!
Back when I had dogs and took them for major walks I sure could have used one of those sticks–to keep myself from falling!! They really took a lot of ingenuity–congratulations on making them all yourself.
WE love to hike but sadly we dont live in a hiking friendly area. We love to on vacation though!
It’s really cool that you’ve customized these sticks in different ways. I’m sure each of these will hold lots of memories.
Woah! Those survival sticks are cool and must have when go on hiking. It looks like from 80’s.
Well, look at you clever clogs you are! My husband would like this unique walking stick. I think you may have to make a few more and try to sell them!
I really would love to go hiking sometime. I know it is such good exercise and being outdoors is amazing!
I’m not a hiker but my husband has walked the Camino de Santiago twice using walking sticks that were not nearly as cool as those. Those are awesome!
Ooo loving these hiking sticks! When i was younger I was all about using hiking sticks! They made my hike feel that more official lol
Reading this reminded me of a hiking stick I bought after a grueling mountain hike in which I promised never to hike without one. I’m impressed Dana made his own.
These are really cool walking sticks. I have a bunch of walking sticks I need to carve.
what a cool stick for hiking. I like that it was hand made by him.
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”-John Muir
Thanks for sharing Dana.
These are really nice hiking sticks. We have a husky so I love the pic with the dog!
You definitely have artistic talent. These hiking sticks are really cool.
My 9-year-old son is into it. He does hikes for Boy Scouts. He found an old branch that he whittled a little and it’s the perfect walking stick for his trips!
Hey Dana (from Tom back home). My favorite stick is…well…a stick I picked up for “shroomin”. I wrapped some duck tape around the big end (cuz I like duck tape) and stuck it in the corner of the garage to use next year. That’s my story. Some day it could become a book.
How cool is this! I love that you created them. The Everyday stick is great and I like how you say that you will add to it. I need to get hiking more often!
This is so interesting! I never thought about walking sticks much. I walked the woods as a child, my sisters, too. We should have had one for the rattlers! Now I must have one. Sorry about the loss of your son, Gabe, my condolences.
A lot of time and detail went into making those walking sticks.They are amazing pieces of art.
thanks for all of the kind and interesting comments. As tomb and Debra apparently know, the best walking stick is the one that you carry with you.
I did carve a “rattle snake head” for the top end of my Every Day Stick. It has fangs made from brass spiral nails and holds a compass in its mouth. It looks pretty good, kind of fanciful and has gotten a lot of comments around the trails from people I meet. I plan to do some scenes on the shaft with a wood burning pen some time in the future. But have other projects in the works right now.
Thank you!!!
I never thought so much work and effort could be put into a hiking stick but it all makes sense! What a craft. And that dog is BEAUTIFUL
I would love a nice solid walking stick.
My hiking sticks are the ugly cheap ones that we bought at a flea market. You’re hiking sticks are not only so much more eye-pleasing, but they look much more sturdy, as well. You are very talented, indeed!