Poles.. This got me thinking.. A light weight sectional pole for walking that can be converted (collapsed) to use as a handle for a short shovel, or fully extended used as a handle for a rake, three sections collapsed could be used as part of a frame for a bow saw or can become a handle for a light weight axe. Also, you might use it as a center pole for a gear tarp. I am sure there are a lot of items we carry that can become part of a more useful utility tool. Add a knife to the end of the pole and it can easily become a spear.
We all know that a 30 degree sleeping bag becomes a zero degree bag when you layer your clothes. Cotton T shirts can become an instant pillow with a simple pillow case. Fly's from an old tent become a compact and easy to pack tarp. We waste so much and throw away items that still have excellent gear buckles and carrying straps (Thrift stores are full of such items). We carry three knives, three flashlights and we are gone for three days. Do we need three stoves? three sharpening stones? Do we need our iPad, iPod AND our iPhone? our headphones and charging stations? our GPS as a back-up to our phone and compass? a wrist watch to back-up the time on our phone? A full collection of topographical maps of the USA? We duplicate so much of our gear, but never do we integrate and pool our resources. If you broke your trekking pole (using it foolishly in one of the activities listed above), you might have to make a new pole from something in the wild. That would be a horrible situation to be sure, but I would still like to be able to carry one handle that worked as a trekking pole AND as an adaptable utility handle. (So-to-speak).
They do make the following for other activities, but it obviously is not recommended for camping:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/telescoping stainless pole.do?code=FROOGLE&gclid=CjkKEQjwk9CcBRDEopHmnZa5td8BEiQAr2BckLaYii5uc2qfS7AHc99X816zwe_Vv0YOCoagTCEkXIDw_wcB
Even if you were to screw on a point attachment, it would probably be an infringement of copyright and intellectual property.
Guess we just need to bring a shovel, rake, hammer, broom, expandable center pole and axe.
Wheels? has anyone ever brought any wheels or perhaps a shortened, adaptable set of snow skis to move the heavier objects at a camp site?