A long wooden staff or walking stick with an iron tip, traditionally carried by mountain climbers and hikers for stability on steep Alpine terrain.
From German 'Alpenstöck' (Alpen + Stock, meaning 'Alps' + 'stick' or 'staff'). The tool evolved from simple hiking staffs used in Alpine regions and became standardized climbing equipment in the 19th century.
The alpenstock was the granddaddy of modern ice axes—mountaineers stabbed these spiky sticks into snow and rock to pull themselves up glaciers before modern climbing gear was invented. It's basically a walking stick that fights back against gravity.
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