The stikstool......

I just want to share my thoughts with other backpackers about a hiking stick I recently purchased and took out for a test drive last weekend. It is a three piece hiking stick that breaks down to make a tripod stool (ingenious). My wife and I went backpacking in the Big South Fork over the weekend and I was pleasantly surprised at how light but sturdy it is and to convert it into a stool was simple. I went and ordered my wife one. It's called a stikstool. I have been backpacking for 30 years and I like any product that helps take some of the load off.
Happy Trails,
TerraPathic

Kind of sounds like an advertisement to my untrained eye. Especially for a guy with one post. Just sayin'....

Meh, wasn't even worth a reply-- I bet the stool/stick is at least 2lb in weight-- hardly light-- like advertised.

Besides my 10oz Z-lite is plenty seat.

Just thought I needed to share. I don't get real excited about things very often.

Been there done that. Thats why I like it. I weighed it for you and it is 1.5lbs. I didn't see any difference from my old wooden stick, plus it kept 10oz of a Z-lite out of my pack.

I'm not sure it's an ad - there's no link to the product site, and no mention of an "only ..." price.

I'm hoping it's a legitimate post from a new member. Heck, we all had to make a first post about something.

So, giving TerraPathic the benefit of the doubt (for now), I'd say: welcome, and let us know how your stick works over the next few trips. (And, if you are scamming us, we'll change your trail name to TerraPathetic! )

Thanks for the benefit and dito on the name change.

Pictures?

I attached two pics I just took. The pics from our last trip are too large.

That really looks interesting.

How are the sections held together to make the pole? It almost looks like they slide into the sleeves to hold them in place. If so, is there any locking mechanism (camming, a little spring-loaded button, or something) to hold them in the sleeves? It would seem possible that, over time, a mere friction fit might let the sections work loose so the pole fell apart mid-step.

You have to twist while pushing them together. Theres just enough interference to keep it tight. I don't know how long it would take to wear out but it holds really well. They look like they could be home made but they work. If it wears out on me, I'll take a hot nail and scar the inside. We'll see.

Keep us posted. Considering it's half a pound heavier than the pair of poles I now carry, I'll probably pass on it. (Besides, I've finally gotten used to using two poles instead of one. I'd have killed for this 20 years ago.)

I'm also trying to wean myself from using a chair, though this is a really neat concept. Let me know if the maker decides to do it in a lighter material.

Nice idea BUT... it doesn't give me the backrest I so badly need in camp.

I'll stick to a Thermarest style mattress chair, especially since I really only use walking sticks in pairs, W/my straps set up like XC ski pole straps.

Trekking pole, 4.2 oz
Sit pad, 0.95 oz

not having to fiddle with taking my pole apart to sit down, 0.0 oz

5.15 ounces...more than a pound less.
Pass

Good idea for a niche market of folks who prefer a tripod type seat and use a single hiking pole.

May I ask what type of pad you have? My hiking sock weighs more than an ounce. I'm not being sarcastic, just interested. I may get one to use as a cushion for my stool.

Cheapo blue CCF pad from WalMart cut to size...it helps that my ass is smallish I suppose. The pad is no larger than it needs to be to keep my hind end off the ground.

To each his/her own as it should be. Please repeat this first line over and over as you read on. I have camped in dirt, sand, mud, with logs and without logs so I have not traveled without a stool for years (personal comfort preference). I am the camp cook and I prefer to do it from a sitting position that is not ground level. I don't do the telescopic, lightweight trekking poles because the ones I tried were not sturdy enough and noisey. I'm sure they are better since I used them and a bit more expensive as well. Plus I take lots of pictures while I hike which means two poles is a hassle. I bought them to travel because of the ease to pack them. Now I have a product that suits me (see line one). I have removed weight from my pack and the weight of my stick has not changed. Life is good.

Well put. I'm glad it works well for you; it definitely caught my imagination, even though I'm not quite ready to switch yet. Thanks again for bringing it to our attention.

Thanks and side note: My first backpacking trip was in the Red River Gorge when I was in the 7th grade. I am 47 now, and I can honestly say I have hiked every trail there. I lived two hours from door step to trail head, divorced with two kids that I took hiking almost every weekend I could (which they loved and are avid hikers today). Have you gone through the cave?

It's been too long since I've been there - I need to go again.

Is the cave you're referring to the one on Natural Bridge? If not, I probably haven't. Where is it?

The cave is a short distance past Moonshiner's Arch along the bank of the river. It is on the boundary and may actually be on private land so I won't give out directions. I'm sure it can be searched. The mouth at the river is about 15 feet wide x 6 feet high. Inside it gets narrow and splits. If you stay to the right you can go all the way thru. You have to scramble a little and at the end there are 3 exits. Its only maybe 100yds long.
The area itself is popular with repellers.

No, I haven't been to that one; I'll have to try to work it in to my next visit. Thanks for the tip.