[pct-l] High Sierra Snow: Leaders and followers

[Stephen]

Hi AsABat,
Yes of course what you say is very much important, and has merit in all 
things.  However, I've seen where those who think they have the experience 
and wealth of knowledge go tumbling to thier death.  I've climbed with 
amatures who were much better company and whom I felt safer than some 
proffessional guides.  Six of one half a dozen of the other.  It can go 
either way and all points inbetween.  My point was to at least know and 
understand the use of a tool and practice with it to gain confidence, 
experience and develop good habits.  And did I not mention misuse having the 
potential for injury?  Get experienced advise and training was the point if 
at all possible and if not go jump off a ledge and try and stop yourself 
without poking a big nasty hole in yourself, but not until you understand 
how the tool is intended to be used, proper positioning in the hand etc... 
I would never have bothered with it  myself had I not felt confident in my 
abbilities and learning to do something on my own that may well save my ass 
(can I say ass here?)  One of my sayings is, "Anyone can buy tools."  Not 
everyone can use them.
As far as lanyards, I know nothing of any arguments for or against.  Maybe 
they were a fad then; I have no idea.  But I do wonder how many people each 
year carry an ice tool with no practice or idea what it's like to go skating 
down a steep slope? Maybe none, who knows.
The incident about the PCT hiker was disregarding the tool altogether.  And 
by the way, it was New Army Pass I believe and not Cottowood.  I mix those 
names as it is just the Cottonwood lakes area to me.  All I know is I heard 
someone died who was supposed to have been an experienced thru-hiker.
Since I have taken a liking to meeting and helping or just talking with 
thru-hikers on the PCT it troubled me that someone fell.  I didn't much like 
hearing a lady got washed down a creek a little ways either.  I had to talk 
my own girlfriend backoutof a creek once.  She was determined as we were out 
of coffee.  Silly reason to get hurt it seemed to me, but try telling her 
that.  Same person I keep teling youare supposed to drink the water not 
carry it around all day.  "Some folks you just caint reach."
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "AsABat" <AsABat at 4Jeffrey.Net>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 8:42 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] High Sierra Snow: Leaders and followers


> Self-taught can be fine sometimes, but you have to consider who is your
> teacher and how much experience they have :-)
>
> What you don't get from reading a book and practicing on your own is the
> wealth of knowledge that comes from being with those who have been
> there, done that, and seen the good and the bad.
>
> For example, not glissading while wearing crampons. Another, the annual
> debate about whether or not to use a lanyard. (The most current teaching
> is NOT to use one, as the risk of getting sliced by a dropped axe
> strapped to your risk is greater than the risk of falling in most
> cases.)
>
> YMMV,
> AsABat
>
>
>
>
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