[pct-l] Ice axe?

[gary_schenk at verizon.net]

 Saturday we climbed Mt. Warren from Tioga Pass Rd. It might be a low snow year, but there is still plenty of snow on the north facing slopes in the Sierra, at least that's what the view from Warren indicates. An axe would not be a bad idea.

Gary
 

On 05/20/13, Ned Tibbits wrote:

Like most year's thawing snowpack, this year's just has a higher snowline. 
The word thus far is placing it at about 10,500 or 11,000. This means that 
you'll have solid snow from there on up and over every pass or ridge you 
come across.

With the exception of Forester's ice chute, the skills needed are 
self-arrest, traction control, and balance on snow. If you don't know how to 
use an axe, it would be a waste of effort to carry and money to buy. 
However, as we encouraged at the Kickoff, a self-arrest pole like the Black 
Diamond "Whippet" ( 
http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/ski/ski-poles/whippet-self-arrest-ski-pole 
 ) is always in-hand and ready to save your butt should you fall and slide 
(but you've got to know how to self-arrest!). It also works great for 
balance control, as a pole. (Don't sweat the weight of the thing...you'll 
get used to it).

Remember, start early in the morning to capitalize on the harder snow 
surfaces made by the night's cold temperatures (should you still have 
freezes). Once the snow becomes so soft that you start postholing, get off 
of it. Posting can cause serious injuries. Plan your day's progress 
accordingly and you'll be able to make some miles, even over snow on the 
multi-mile approaches to passes and through the suncups.



Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
www.mountaineducation.org
-----Original Message----- 
From: Aaron Nicholson
Sent: Saturday, May 18, 2013 10:08 PM
To: pct-l
Subject: [pct-l] Ice axe?

I'm getting mixed messages about whether I'll need an ice Axe in the
sierras this year. I plan on leaving Kennedy meadows on may 27th or so.
Any thoughts? Also, how's the mail speed into KM? If I were to have it
mailed on monday, would it arrive by the 27th? Thanks
Aaron
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