How useful is a staff / walking poles ?

[Lipka149]

Thanks. If I could just figure out what to do with it during those times when I don't need it ...

A suggestion, perhaps ?

I used my pole to carry a canteen over my shoulder. I looped the hook on the canteen over one end and brought my arm up over the other end to balance it. Not only did it keep the heavy water bottle out of my backpack, but it gave my arm a horizontal position so that my hand wouldn't go numb by hanging vertically all day. Worked for both left and right sides !

[Atlantic]

There's much that I recognise in many of these responses, both for and against. I used to not use a stick or pole, but tried one and liked it - a wooden stick/staff that is. I also tried a pole, but after having it taken off me at SDC airport I gave that up. I understand there's a new rule allowing them now.

So what I do is a cut a stick on the way; the size I cut is just up to my armpit; anyone lugging those great big telegraph poles is asking for difficulties - and it looks naff. At the end, I leave the stick.

A wooden stick, (eucalyptus is good)the thickness of your thumb is fine for threatening dogs, and in France I have whacked a dog. Very effective. In Portugal when surprised by snarling, uncontrolled brutes which run up to a fence baying for blood, I find the stick good for rattling the fence, causing the dog to go ballistic, and ensuring that the neglectful owner has his siesta disturbed.

The stick also lends a rhythm to your walking, which is appreciated after a while, and you miss it when there is no stick. The other comments about hills etc is good, of course a handy help.

To Roe, there is no difficult terrain anywhere on the Francés - at worst some slippy mud descending from Roncesvalles. The stick/pole is handy, that's all.

[HuskyNerd]

In Portugal when surprised by snarling, uncontrolled brutes which run up to a fence baying for blood, I find the stick good for rattling the fence, causing the dog to go ballistic, and ensuring that the neglectful owner has his siesta disturbed.

A post full of good advice, however it makes me sad to think that a pilgrim would rattle a fence and enrage a dog. I always feel so sad for dogs in this part of the world. By American standards, at least, they are seriously neglected and often almost mad because of the ongoing neglect. I've seen dogs along the camino with no food or water, tied up to posts out in the hot sun. Once in Cirauqui I listened as a food-and-waterless dog howled at the world, hoping his absent master would attend to his needs. I went to a nearby store and bought him food, then filled his water bowl. Spain is a sad place to be a dog and it saddens me even more that pilgrims might taunt a dog by using a walking stick to rattle a fence. I hope we have pity for the plight of these poor animals in these countries where they are too often treated like pieces of property that don't experience pain and have no need of comfort or affection. Sorry for the rant, but the local lack of compassion for dogs is a sad and sometimes heartbreaking feature of the camino. I fear rattling a fence won't lead an owner to care for his/her dog, but instead will lead to a beating for an animal that likely already is neglected.

[zzotte]

Very sad indeed, may be a good reason for me not take awalking staff, I am afraid a would whack a so called "pilgrim" if I see one mistreating a poor animal. It’s very hypocritical that someshould call themselves “pilgrim” specially to a Holly place.

Zo

[Atlantic]

Ah yes, Zote, I thought someone would be along to tell me I should let myself be bitten by a dog. Then you tell me that you would whack people instead. Then you decide what is a pilgrim and what is not. How would you know? The hypocrisy is all yours, since you feel free to use such words to me.

Well Zote I've been bitten by a dog when a child and I won't let it happen again, not even to keep you happy.

Husky says he feels sad that someone would rattle a fence. I feel sad that he feels like that. I too have seen maltreated dogs and find it appalling. Rattling a fence is hardly maltreatment, but then some people say boo to a goose. Pretty bad.

Next time I'll say, oh that dog is badly treated - I'll just let it have a go at me.....

Very sad indeed, may be a good reason for me not take awalking staff, I am afraid a would whack a so called "pilgrim" if I see one mistreating a poor animal. It’s very hypocritical that someshould call themselves “pilgrim” specially to a Holly place.

Zo

[David]

I had to kick a goose in Spain. A big gander, kept pecking me and wouldn't stop, so I kicked it. It backed off and looked so upset - I still feel guilty now, but it did stop. What made it worse was that it happened in the middle of a very sombre outdoor religious service !

[Atlantic]

The key thing is David that you didn't injure it, cos a goose can't hurt us. No need, it stopped attacking you because of your discreet action. It sounds funny tho', trying to get that thing off you at such a time!

Lucky you didn't whack a bedbug with your stick - that would have been awful.

[HuskyNerd]

Enough on sticks, geese, bedbugs and dogs . . . am closing this thread so we can get on to other things.