Walking Stick Medallions

In the early '70's, my parents returned from a trip to Switzerland with an actual cuckoo clock and a cane. Both are long gone unfortunately, but I can still see them. The cane was interesting. It was your normal ‘old man stick’ with the big curve at the top. Wooden and firm but light. It looked like it was for someone leaving the hospital or for laps at the retirement home. What made it interesting were the handful of medallions affixed vertically.

There is a long history to such medallions whether they be on a cane or hiking stick or climbing axe. Avid hikers would adorn their treasured staffs with small trinkets or medallions depicting "the conquered" territory, its features, or inhabitants. The collecting of hiking staff medallions (or stocknagels) is a long-standing European tradition that began in the Alps back in the 1800's.

Every mountain they climbed, every place they visited by foot, the people used to buy a badge or stocknagel and the villagers attached the badge on the cane with a small hammer and two small nails. It was a very serious matter, and a great honour.

These medallions are collectibles along with the sticks they adorn. Early ones were heavy and ornate. As they progressed, bright colours made them pop and differentiate the cantons, villages and peaks they represented.

Tourism turned them into the equivalent of teaspoons or salt and pepper shakers or t-shirts. That is what my mother bought, the tourist version. Even so, I wish I still had it. North American parks and regions have adopted the practice. Amazon and eBay offer tons along with sticks and canes. Businesses now provide custom medallions. Sadly, some are tacky and defeat the purpose. You cannot hike “Canada”. Others feature professional sport franchises and branches of military service.

My fellow hikers know I use a hiking stick over modern telescoping poles. I even make my own from wood found on hikes. Medallions are a newer interest. I hope to tack some on when I’ve earned the right.