Abstract: A hiking pole comprised with a telescoping staff, a handgrip extending outwardly from the rear of the staff when the staff is in an upright position, the handgrip including an elongated hand engaging section having an outer end and an inner end, the handgrip having a longitudinal axis at an angle of from about 10.degree. to about 45.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the staff, the handgrip inner end being attached to the staff at a position whereby a user's hand is raised to at least the level of the user's chest to grasp the handgrip; and a balance section projecting toward the front of the staff, the balance section having a longitudinal axis at an angle of from about 10.degree. to about 45.degree. relative to the staff longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A crutch including an extendible, locking shaft having an upper end and a lower end; a handgrip positioned to the front of the crutch and joined to the upper end of the shaft by a connecting arm; and an underarm at a level below the level of the handgrip, whereby the user's hand is positioned above the level of the user's underarm when using the crutch, to thereby pull upward on the handgrip during forward movement, instead of a pressing downward on the handgrip and underarm support.