How did gandalf get his staff back?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Folwren

I have a vague feeling that Gandalf's staff had more power and importance than simply lighting fires on mountain tops in snow storms.

True, it may have enhanced his cooking ability as well. I'll bet Gandalf made a mean zuppa toscana.

But, yeah. If my theory of the staff being mainly a focusing mechanism for the Wizards' power is correct, it wouldn't have aided him to escape from the tower alone.