| One of the most devastating happenings that occur | | | | wood I test it to make sure it is tough. You want it |
| on the hiking trail is falling down. Throw in the hiking | | | | to hold your weight in case you fall. |
| trail on the mountains and a bad fall could result in | | | | Once you have your staff, check to see if it has a |
| death. | | | | strap on the end where you hold it. If not you should |
| Taking a nice stroll in a park on a well groomed trail | | | | drill a hole and thread through a good strong strap of |
| without any underfoot obstructions is one thing, but | | | | leather or nylon. We were hiking on a very rocky |
| hiking in the mountains on simple tracks is totally | | | | crag and used our staffs all of the time. On our way |
| different. Rocks, boulders, roots, holes, snags and | | | | down my wife lost the grip on her staff. It had a |
| lord knows what else can cause a hiker untold | | | | strap but she had failed to place it around her wrist. |
| problems. There may be creeks to cross, either by | | | | When it slipped out of her grip it fell over and over |
| wading on slippery rocks or by straddling a slippery | | | | again and bounced off a rock into oblivion. |
| old log that serves as a bridge. On the west coast | | | | If you will be hiking in the mountains it may be |
| mountains of western Canada and the USA most of | | | | advisable to carry two staffs since wading across a |
| the trails a hiker will encounter are like this. On | | | | fast flowing creek can be very intimidating, especially |
| extreme elevations you may encounter areas of | | | | for seniors. This situation calls for poles much |
| broken rock on extreme slopes without any trail. | | | | stronger than ski poles. You want a pole that will |
| These are the reasons why a good solid hiking staff | | | | take your entire weight in case you lose your |
| is so important. Some people take ski poles which are | | | | balance. |
| better than nothing but the best poles are solid | | | | Seniors should make it a habit to carry a staff or |
| spruce or fir. Juniper is a great wood and extremely | | | | even two, because we all tend to be increasingly |
| tough. You will find plenty of these poles in the | | | | aware and concerned with falling as we age. When I |
| better outdoors shops. The poles that are carved or | | | | was younger I was without fear as I felt I could fall |
| twisted by nature are generally hand made and are | | | | and get up quickly. As I aged though, falling was |
| very good and sturdy. You might find a good small | | | | something I avoided, but accidents happen. It is |
| tree to make your own. Make certain the wood is | | | | reassuring to carry a good staff. |
| solid and dry it for a long time. When I select my | | | | |