[pct-l] ice axe vs pole self arresting

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

Please realize that what you do or don't do is best for preventing accidents 
in the backcountry. Your experience and training alert you to danger ahead, 
whether it be ice, creek crossings, injury, and so forth.  Using poles that 
have self-arrest grips does not prevent falls and not knowing or having 
practiced what to do with them does not stop the resultant out-of-control 
slide.

Your best insurance to prevent a fall on snow is to know how they happen and 
to be alert enough to prevent them.


"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ate Tuna" <atetuna at gmail.com>
To: "Brian Miracle" <bmiracle2 at gmail.com>
Cc: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 9:18 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] ice axe vs pole self arresting


> The problem with using a trekking pole is that you can only exert as much
> force as your upper body strength allows.  An ice axe allows you to use 
> your
> body weight.  Also, to use a trekking pole effectively, you have to choke 
> up
> on it.
>
> The book you linked to says trekking poles are great for preventing falls
> because the greater stability allows you to stay upright, but it talks 
> about
> self arrest grips on the trekking poles for preventing falls.  Normal
> trekking poles don't have those grips.  As far as I know, only the Black
> Diamond Whippet and Stubai Tour Lite have those grips.  Even those devices
> may not be useful if you're using it as a trekking pole when you fall
> because you may not be able to orient it correctly quick enough.
>
> On Wed, Apr 20, 2011 at 8:30 AM, Brian Miracle <bmiracle2 at gmail.com> 
> wrote:
>
>> I just wanted some opinions on this.  I found a  mountaineering book 
>> online
>> that argues for the case that poles are better for self arresting and
>> general mountain travel if the proper technique is used. It also has
>> pictures of the different techniques as well
>>
>>
>> http://books.google.com/books?id=3hgJ0gvwIIIC&pg=PA192&lpg=PA192&dq=self+arrest++trekking+pole&source=bl&ots=xMXqWPl4Qq&sig=3K3b_19NBJQdIi5TsACGdpIVolk&hl=en&ei=j_euTdDbCIrksQOZ5ZWSAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CFQQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=self%20arrest%20%20trekking%20pole&f=false
>>
>> check it out and it talks of this around pg 200.
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