[pct-l] Lightweight axes

[Julian Plamann]

Just wanted to add a quick alternate opinion on the issue. Granted, 2009 was
only an average snow year, but I can't recall feeling the need for an ice
axe at all on the PCT. Trekking poles provide so much more stability and a
better center of gravity than an ice axe on the type of snow that is out
there in June. The slope angles are mostly relatively low, snow is soft and
there is no need for any icy, piolet traction climbing. I would have felt
less safe with an axe in hand and my poles stowed. The Black Diamond Whippet
is the best of both worlds and definitely the safest method, but if I had to
choose between poles and a traditional ice axe, I'd pick poles.



On Thu, Mar 18, 2010 at 11:14 AM, <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:

> We see a lot of CAMP ice axes and for self-arrest training they do quite
> well. However, Elevator's point should be seriously considered and the
> question asked, " What do I expect to be able to do with it?"
>
> If you expect to encounter ice on those early morning ascents and descents
> on Sierra passes and you know that your slippery shoes need the ice roughed
> up a bit or at least flattened out, then a more durable axe might be needed.
> You could always wait a little while for the sun to soften the crust....
>
> The bigger issues, as we see them, are
> - do you know when you're going to need the axe? (meaning, can you
> recognize a dangerous stretch ahead, are you capable of slowing down to get
> across it safely rather than reacting after slipping), and
> - once spotting the shinny slope ahead, can you drop your pack, take your
> axe in hand, then proceed safely?
>
> We find that thru hikers have a hard time slowing down and often (according
> to their own accounts) plow on through, fail to recognize dangerous
> conditions ahead, and slip and fall with their axes still strapped to their
> packs!
>
> What to do about it? Education and training (experience) makes for safer
> travels because you learn what is actually out there and how to deal with
> it. But who has the time? If you learn with a guide, even if you get hurt
> practicing, you'll get through it and learn from it and that's certainly
> better than learning the hard way on your thru hike miles from the
> trailhead....
>
> Food for Thought.
>
>
>
> Ned Tibbits, Director
> Mountain Education
> P.O. Box 1477
> South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96156
>    P: 888-996-8333
>    F: 530-541-1456
>    C: 530-721-1551
>    http://www.mountaineducation.org
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>