[pct-l] Ice Axes, period

[ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com]

An Ice Axe is designed to do many things for the mountaineer,

an anchor for climbing,
chopping foot-holds,
self-arresting,
balance,
digging,
picking into ice, 

But why would a thru-hiker carry one, especially when it will hang in the garage for the next century?

The thru-hiker needs such a device for self-arrest, primarily. The kind of snow found in early summer is relatively easy to walk on in the morning without snowshoes and kick foot-holds into--until about mid-day when you start sinking in or post-holing. There is rare need for the axe in the morning unless you aren't wearing boots with which you can kick good foot-holds and you need the assistance of the axe in the morning crust. Morning descents on crust is where you need the axe in your hands to self-arrest should you loose control or balance on the way down. But you've got to have it off your pack and in your hands. You need to be able to anticipate the need by recognizing the conditions ahead, or else the axe and your life are worthless. Why buy and carry an axe if its most likely going to stay on your pack?

The Whippet is an ice pick on a pole. Essentially. It is the practical and handy answer to the need for a self-arrest tool always in hand (and better for balance than an ice axe, too). It is good as a hiking pole any season and is there when you fall. What a deal.

The axe may be cool looking and make you feel like a mountaineer, but its not the right tool for the thru hiker.


Mtnned