[pct-l] The Whippet's convertibility, final answer
ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com
ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com
Thu Mar 19 15:05:45 CDT 2009
OK. I stand corrected:
The Black Diamond Whippet no longer has a removable head. The ones we use
were given to us back in 2006 when the heads were removable.
I just got off the phone with the manufacturer and here is what three
different folks said:
--people just weren't removing the head, so they are now "pinning" it in
place,
--it is not UIAA certified as an ice climbing tool, similar to an ice axe,
as it does not have the strength as a belay anchor,
--the "Canard Wing" on the side of the head is for grabbing more snow when
the pick is thrust into the pack.
It is still the most handy self-arrest tool we, as snow-hikers, have ever
used (short of the older, Ramer version) as it is always in hand. It is too
bad that it no longer can be converted to a hiking pole when the head is not
needed....
http://www.bdel.com/gear/fl_whippet.php
However, for another $40.00 Life Link carries the old Ramer version which
can be connected to a ski pole lower and does about the same thing. Costs
more compared to the BD Whippet, but you still have the ability to convert
to a hiking pole by exchanging the upper shaft and head assemblies.
http://www.backcountry.com/store/LIF0133/Life-Link-Guide-Claw-Pole-Grip.html
http://www.backcountry.com/store/LIF0130/Life-Link-Guide-Ski-Probe-Pole.html
----- Original Message -----
From: "CHUCK CHELIN" <steeleye at wildblue.net>
To: "PCT MailingList" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 11:43 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] The Whippet's convertibility
> Good morning,
>
>
> The Black Diamond site: http://www.bdel.com/gear/fl_whippet.php says the
> Whippet pick head is no longer removable. A similar comment was made on a
> review site at: http://www.alpinist.com/doc/web08s/ms-rmi-bd-whippet.
> Does anyone know for sure how the latest Whippets are configured?
>
>
>
> Steel-Eye
>
> Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT -- 1965
>
> http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye
>
> http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09
>
>
> On Thu, Mar 19, 2009 at 10:09 AM,
> <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com>wrote:
>
>> Will,
>>
>> I have no idea, nor would I want to compromise the strength of the design
>> when my life depends on it. The nice thing about it is that you can
>> remove
>> the pick-adz head and convert it into a regular hiking pole.
>>
>> Ned
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Will M
>> To: ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com
>> Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 10:01 AM
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Snow Courses ahead
>>
>>
>> Hey Ned,
>>
>> I have a question about the whippet. Will it fit on a Leki hiking pole?
>>
>> Will
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Mar 19, 2009 at 9:51 AM, <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Welcome Aboard! You're penciled in for the 3, 4, 5 of April weekend.
>> If
>> there are any sudden changes, especially the last minute, I will call
>> you.
>> Have you read the Course Description?
>>
>> Ned
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Will M
>> To: ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com
>> Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 9:30 AM
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Snow Courses ahead
>>
>>
>> I would be interested in the April 3rd, 4th and 5th weekend. It
>> will
>> be just me.
>>
>> My cell is 408-637-4881
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Will McGreevy
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 18, 2009 at 7:27 PM,
>> <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi, Will!
>>
>> There are three more Snow Courses running this season, however the
>> next one, this weekend we had to cancel due to impending storm. The next
>> dates are March 27, 28, 29 and April 3, 4, 5.
>>
>> Happy to have you aboard! Let me know which one fits your
>> schedule,
>> how many will be in your party, and your cell number for pre-trip
>> emergency
>> contact, and you're in. Have you read the Course Description?
>>
>> Ned Tibbits (pct 74, cdt 80)
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Will M
>> To: ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 12:44 PM
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] whippet
>>
>>
>> Hi Ned,
>>
>> I am interested in taking one of the PCT snow prep courses. Can
>> you give me some info on how to sign up and the schedule of the courses.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Will
>>
>> Jalan Jalan
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 2:33 PM, <
>> ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com> wrote:
>>
>> Mori,
>>
>> Having just returned from the first of four PCT-Prep Snow
>> Courses of this
>> year, where the Whippet was used in self-arrest demonstration,
>> I
>> can't
>> imagine why the carbon fiber lowers might be any weaker for
>> regular use. If
>> being used for sit-down glissading, where you put force on the
>> lower section
>> as a rudder, I would hope the carbon fiber will be fine. We
>> have
>> no
>> experience with the cf version.
>>
>> The other nice aspect of the Whippet is that the axe head can
>> be
>> removed
>> when you want to use the pole as your regular walking stick.
>>
>> Mtnned
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "x2 costantino" <mori at california.com>
>> To: <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com>
>> Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 8:12 AM
>> Subject: whippet
>>
>>
>> > Hi Ned,
>> > I'm an '09 thruhiker. I'm pretty comfortable with ice ax and
>> crampons but
>> > from your recommendations on the PCT-I, I got a whippet as
>> an
>> > alternative.
>> > Quick question:
>> > Have you used the whippet carbon fiber adapter to switch out
>> the aluminum
>> > bottom pole for carbon fiber lowers?
>> > thanks for your thoughts on this.
>> > -mori
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of
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>> > signature database 3939 (20090316) __________
>> >
>> > The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>> >
>> > http://www.eset.com
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
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