• In reply to: Richard Axtman: "Things to Add to a Hiking Staff"
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One more item I would add to the stick desctibed by Richard. Ben-Gay for
the sore arm muscle that I'm going to have carrying this damn thing.

Petey Parish Eagle's Dad
Scoutmaster Emeritus Troop 11
Gulf Ridge Council Brandon (Tampa), Fl.
I used to be a BEAVER. . A good ol' BEAVER too. .

Sure, you might get lost.....but don't worry, you're biodegradeable!!

On Mon, 26 Jun 2000, Richard Axtman wrote:

> My "Scouts NewEngland Network" E-mail List Group has been
> talking about Hiking Staffs, so I thought I'd share some
> tips with you:
>
> If you want to buy a turned wooden staff get the one sold by BSA.
> I thought I could buy a stick, dowel or handle to make one with
> cheaper at "Home Depot" or another hardware store, but they were
> more expensive that the one BSA sells and that's a first to me.
> You can also cut your own if you want one with bark or bends
> and twists in it for a rustic look. Use hardwood such as birch,
> ash, maple, oak, etc... don't use soft pine it will break too easy.
>
> Here are a couple of ideas of things to add to your Hiking Staff:
>
> 1) You can add a compass to the top. I found a ball shaped
> compass in a department store that was about 1-1/2" diameter
> clear ball with another one inside it floating in oil. Just
> cave out a cup in the end of the staff and epoxy the ball
> compass to the top of it. Looks good - works good!
>
> 2) Drill a hole near the top and add a wrist strap to it, such
> as a piece of nylon parachute cord or a leather thong.
>
> 3) Use 20-30 feet of nylon parachute cord wrapped around the
> upper section for a padded hand grip and emergency rope.
> They sell olive drab green and camo rope like this and it's
> better to use this type than the white type because it will
> not show dirt like white will with age.
>
> 4) Mount a brass shotgun shell casing or brass ferrule over
> the bottom tip by drilling two small holes through it on
> opposite sides, then use small nails and epoxy to hold it
> on. Over this put a rubber chair/table leg floor protector
> for better traction. This will protect the end of your staff
> from wearing down and splitting the wood and give you two
> types tips for hiking on different types of surfaces.
> NOTE: Spiked Tips or ski pole type tips are not recommended
> by Park Officials because they damage trails, trees and tree
> roots.
>
> 5) Wrap fifty feet of fishing line over and around 2 band-aids
> and 2 fishing hooks.
>
> 6) Get a small crookneck flashlight (military style) that uses
> 2 AA batteries. Try mounting it with rubber bands or Velcro
> straps so you can move it up or down the staff for the best
> night vision.
>
> 7) A scout/police (loud ball type) whistle, for signaling with.
>
> 8) Mount a Swiss army pocketknife and sheath to the staff.
>
> 9) Cut small grooves (1/4", 1/2", 1" apart) starting at the
> bottom of the staff to act as a ruler/yard stick so you
> can measure things, like the depth of water in a stream.
>
> 10) Things to wrap around the staff include:
>
> a) A silver "Space Blanket"
> b) 3' x 3' piece of cloth
> c) 10' x 10' sheet of plastic
> d) several sheets of heavy duty tin foil
> (for cooking with and making a signal miror)
> e) Surgical adhesive tape
> f) steel safety wire (electronic bus wire)
> g) 12 eight inch Velcro straps
> h) several sheets of writing paper
> i) a topo map inside a waterproof map case
> j) surgical tubing
> k) Carborundum sandpaper
>
> 11) The materials you wrap around it (listed above) can hold
> things under them like:
>
> a) #2 wooden pencil
>
> b) First aid kit: 2-bandages 3/8" x 1-1/2", 2-Adhesive
> bandages 3/4" x 3", 1-Adhesive bandage 2" x 4", 1-knuckle
> bandage, 2-Gauze pads 3" x 3", 2-Gauze pads 2" x 2", 4 pcs
> of MoleSkin for heal blisters, 2-Alcohol pads, 2-antiseptic
> pads, 2-travel wet-ones hand towels, 1-eye pad, 2-elbo/knee
> adhesive bandage.
>
> 11) Mount several film canisters and cigar type tubes with
> cloth tape or rubber bands to the staff to hold survival
> items like, fish hooks and flies, split-shoot fishing
> weights, #11 Xacto knife blades, strike-any-where
> stick matches, sewing needles, stick pins and thread,
> thimble, some finishing nails, screw hooks and eyes,
> stainless paper clips, small magnifying lens, birthday
> candles (fire starters for rain), water purification
> tablets, iodine, ammonia snap-caps, 1-sealed package
> of aspirin, extra AA batteries for a flashlight.
>
> 12) A film canister filled with cotton balls soaked in Vaseline
> petroleum jelly makes great fire starters in wet weather.
>
> 13) BSA sells a leather handle for a hiking staff and many different
> hiking staff metal medallions that mount with small nails. They
> are good for looks but I think they're a little expensive.
>
> Here's some Hiking Staff links with pictures and other details:
> http://sne.tripod.com/staff.gif
> http://members.home.net/wwseb/define.htm
> http://www.tamarak.com/hiking.htm
>
> Anyone out there got any more ideas ?
>
> Then send them to me. Thanks in advance.
>
> Serving You and Scouting,
>
> Richard Axtman
> Founder of Scouts NewEngland: http://sne.tripod.com
> SA, Troop 1, Littleton, MA: http://members.tripod.com/troop1_bsa
> My Personal E-mail: scout_king@yahoo.com
> Get paid while you are on the Internet like I do. To learn more
> and to see actual proof visit: http://sne.tripod.com/getpaid.htm
>
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• In reply to: Richard Axtman: "Things to Add to a Hiking Staff"
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