[pct-l] Alpenstocks and Self-Arrest Poles

[Jeffrey Olson]

Once you've broken loose an started to slide a hiking pole is pretty 
useless - unless...

Unless you've shortened the pole and as you fall you either have the 
shortened pole already buried to the handle anticipating a slip/fall 
with every step, or are able to bury it before your body begins to fall 
down the hill. 

I've hiked across steep snow and self-arrested by not moving unless my 
20" hiking pole was buried up to the handle.  I've slipped and not 
started sliding.  Slow going.  And no good when it's too icy anyway... 

Better to have a 20 year window and hike the Sierra on a low snow year - 
maybe 2019???

Jeff, just Jeff, being not so funny...