A walking stick (10) having a shaft (12) having a first portion (34) and a second portion (36) received within the first portion (34) such that the second portion (36) can slide relative to the first portion (34). A first transverse handle (18) is provided at an upper end of the shaft (12) and a second handle (20) is provided pivotable between a retracted position in which the second handle (20) is generally parallel to the shaft (12) and an extended position in which the second handle (20) extends transversely to the shaft (12). A spring member (48) is provided for biasing the second portion (36) of the shaft (12) to slide outwardly from the first portion (34) and a locking mechanism is provided having a trigger (38) adjacent the first handle (18). The locking mechanism secures the first portion (34) of the shaft (12) relative to the second portion (36) of the shaft (12) and actuation of the trigger (38) releases the locking mechanism such that the second portion (36) of the shaft (12) can slide outwardly from the first portion (34) of the shaft (12) under the force of the spring member (48).