Re: [pct-l] Thru-hiking, ice axes, and self-arrest.

[Slyinmd@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/30/00 10:24:27 PM US Eastern Standard Time, 
rogercar@pacifier.com writes:

<< Sly, if you are wondering, I whole-heartedly recommend all hikers in the
 Sierra during snow-pack season carry ice axes!
  >>

No, I'm not wondering about carrying one, I did, and also recommend your 
advice to carry.  

I was and still am, looking for true life experiences during the typical 
thru-hiker season, about having to use them.

But....

Having nothing to fall back on, I supposed during my first experience hiking 
in snow, that I was better off waiting for the snow to soften and keeping my 
feet, using hiking poles.  Step by step, I was comfortable, given the 
circumstances.

The few times I did take out my ax (and stowed my poles), I "felt" off 
balance and had the idea that I may need to use that "thing," which wasn't 
very encouraging.........

Postholing : ),  Sly  



  
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