[pct-l] Skill Sets - Practice them; Plunge stepping, Questionaire

[Bighummel at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/20/2006 11:48:44 AM Pacific Daylight Time,  
ned at mountaineducation.com writes:

Most  hikers didn't know what to do with their axes nor when to anticipate 
the  need for them so that they were in-hand when they fell (thinking of the  
Sonora Pass fall story).



Most hikers opt for a shorter ice axe in order to save on weight.   However, 
a longer ice axe length can be used comfortably as a replacement for a  
trekking pole on steep snow or ice.  Thus, it will be in your hand IF you  fall.  If 
you choose to use a trekking pole in your other hand and you  fall, simply 
toss the trekking pole and swing the axe into self arrest.   This is what 
technical ice climbers do that have two axes when they fall, i.e.  throw one.  
 
A longer ice axe doesn't go on your pack as well either, thus making it  more 
likely that you might have it in your hand when you need it.   Recognize that 
you are very unlikely to anticipate WHEN you are going to fall,  i.e., have 
the time to sit your pack down, take out the axe and then proceed to  where you 
might fall.
 
Best regards,
 
Strider
PCT '77
(currently re-writing my journal , only 29 years  later!)