Originally Posted By: Be_Prepared
I have hiked for a long time with a hand carved hickory stick, much of the time that's really all you need, and there's nothing like having a walking stick that you carved on your own.


If you do make a walking stave, make it tall enough. The knowledgable survivor makes it taller than he is but within a comfortable reach with his arm. If it's too short you may have the problem of hitting your face with the end when leaning down. You may look like Gandalf the Grey carrying his magic wand but there are many advantages of carrying a long stave like having more reach in testing the terrain in dense bush and fending off a skunk or Bart the bear for instance.