[pct-l] ice ax necessary in low snow year?

[andrew mccarter]

I've been watching the California snow pack chart nosedive through March
and into April (http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/reports/PLOT_SWC.2013),
and I'm beginning to wonder whether I should mail my ice ax to Kennedy
Meadows or just leave it at home. Would trekking poles and microspikes be
enough for a low snow year? What are others thinking? Thanks.