[pct-l] Snow

[Jim & Jane Moody]

For the record, I used an ice axe at snow school in Dec '05 and on the trail in '06. I have never used a Whippet, so I can't endorse or disavow it. Merry Christmas, all y'all. 

Jim Moody, aka Mango 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Ned Tibbits" <ned at mountaineducation.org> 
To: "Dave Fajer" <davefajer at gmail.com>, "Jim & Jane Moody" <moodyjj at comcast.net> 
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net 
Sent: Thursday, December 24, 2015 12:33:49 AM 
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Snow 

You guys are killing me! 

I just got off from ski patrolling for the day and we are expecting yet 
another dumpage of snow right before Christmas! Tomorrow is supposed to be a 
blizzard up in Tahoe, then it is going to clear for a few days of glorious 
skiing!! 

Ok, now back to the Whippet. Roadwalker, Shroomer, Jim Moody, and Dave Fajer 
have all used (I believe) Whippets in our Snow Basic Course and attest to 
the value of their readiness and performance. Sure, they can't do all an ice 
axe can, but in the context of snow-hiking, like what PCT thru hikers need, 
they are the best compromise that is in-hand when you need to deploy the 
skill to save your life. (Since most thru hikers who buy ice axes carry them 
on the back of their packs, thus the axe is not in-hand during the sudden, 
unexpected slip-and-fall-and-tumble). 

Mountain Education teaches, among other things snow-related like navigation 
and ascent/descent techniques, the self-arrest skill nearly every weekend 
from January through April of the last 33 years. That requires a lot of 
demonstration and use of the handy Whippet and not a one has bent or broken 
since we got our first back in 2005. The mechanism of arresting is almost 
the same with a Whippet as with an axe, but both require on-hill practice to 
make it a reflexive response, something you need to do well before hitting 
the rocks below! 

Good enough? 



Ned Tibbits, Director 
Mountain Education, Inc. 
www.mountaineducation.org 
ned at mountaineducation.org 


Mission: 
"To minimize wilderness accidents, injury, and illness in order to maximize 
wilderness enjoyment, safety, and personal growth, all through experiential 
education and risk awareness training." 
-----Original Message----- 
From: Dave Fajer 
Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 2:07 PM 
To: Jim & Jane Moody 
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net 
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Snow 

Channeling "The Nedster"........ 

:) 
On Dec 22, 2015 2:02 PM, "Jim & Jane Moody" <moodyjj at comcast.net> wrote: 

> Cue Ned, 3..2..1 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> 
> From: "gary schenk" <gary_schenk at verizon.net> 
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
> Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 1:42:02 PM 
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Snow 
> 
> Have you ever tried to arrest with the whippet? 
> 
> Gary 
> 
> 
> On 12/22/15, Richard Brinkman wrote: 
> 
> Greetings PCT Community! 
> 
> I just wanted to share my experience with regard to snow for those 
> planning to hike the trail next year or in the future. I hiked this 
> year...a very low snow year. For the Sierra, I decided to use Hillsound 
> trail crampons after hearing that microspikes sometimes roll off/around 
> the 
> shoe, but the 'trail crampons' I used were essentially the same as 
> microspikes, and I had the same issue in the limited time I used them. 
> Granted, that was a steep slope, but they still rolled up on my shoe. In a 
> normal to heavy snow year, I would want a true crampon despite the few 
> extra ounces. 
> 
> In place of an ice axe, I used a Black Diamond Whippet (trekking pole with 
> ice axe mounted to the top of the grip). I hate stopping to get something 
> out of my pack, and for that reason might think of just pushing through a 
> possibly sketchy situation. 
> 
> I sent the 'trail crampons' home at Tulomne but maintained the Whippet 
> through Sonora Pass, and was glad I did. Even in a low snow year there was 
> still quite a bit of snow south of Sonora Pass. I fortunately never had to 
> use it, but again was glad I had it with me for that section, especially 
> since I was hiking in Altra Lone Peaks. I really didn't notice any extra 
> weight with the Whippet, just a life saving device in my hand at all 
> times. 
> 
> 
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