[pct-l] re: ice axes

[wandering_bob at comcast.net (Bob Bankhead)]

Trekking poles are excellent for helping you keep your balance and reducing
the probability of a fall. However, once you fall, they are utterly useless
and since you've got both hands busy holding them, you won't have the time
or ability to draw an ice axe and self arrest. Use your common sense! "Do I
feel lucky?" is not a good question to ask yourself facing a snow or
ice-covered slope.

1st: EVALUATE THE ROUTE across it - do you have prior footsteps or packed
trail to follow or must you chop steps or a ledge to walk on? Are you going
to have to edge with your boots across it? Are your shoes even capable of
edging or kicking steps?

2nd: EVALUATE THE ANGLE of the slope you are traversing. (how steep is it?).
Steep strongly favors ice axe- use it as a pole on the uphill side.

3rd: EVALUATE THE RUN-OUT at the bottom (what will I hit if I fall and slide
into it?) If it's potentially lethal - cliff, rocks, trees - you can't
afford the fall ; use your axe.

Ice axes have other redeeming qualities beside self arrest and belaying
anchors.

1. They satisfy USFS requirements for a fire axe
2. Chop steps or ledges into hard surfaces - snow, ice, packed dirt.
3. Balance tool on steep slope, replacing trekking pole.
4. Digging tool around camp
5. Support pole, albeit short, for tarp or tent
6. Excellent deadman for tent anchor
7. Very good defensive weapon if needed - even against bears (well, better
than rocks, sticks, or your fists)

Wandering Bob


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kelly Kinneen" <kkinneen@dc-cares.org>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2004 10:53 AM
Subject: [pct-l] re: ice axes


I list-lurk a lot, so I thought I'd just throw in my two cents:

When I arrived at Kennedy Meadows in mid-June, I had not brought an ice
axe (I do, however, have training in how to use one). I was told by
several thru-hikers that I was courting death not to have an ice axe
through Forrester Pass (which we finally crossed about 6/22).

Terrified, I got out at Lone Pine and spent $50 on an ice axe that I
never pulled out. Not once. I was hiking with two others, and the three
of us were never in a situation where navigating the snow fields and
approaches required more than careful and deliberate stepping. If I did
it again, I think perhaps I'd carry trekking poles through the area, a
la Sly (see entry below). Peace of mind is a valuable thing, but an ice
axe for me was one step too far.

If I had to advise someone like me, who'd never hiked in the Sierra, I'd
say: Relax. There are post-holes. You can time your approaches. Even if
you do decide that you want to carry an ice-axe, don't fret: learn how
to use it, but know that you probably never well.

Kelly
The Hiker Formerly Known as Detour


Actually since I didn't have training prior to my start and nearly took
off
my shoulder off during practice on the trail, I felt much more
comfortable
crossing steep snow with both poles, one shortened on the up hill side,
the other
lengthened.  This way it was much easier to maintain my balance.
Perhaps the
most important factor, I also timed my passes to reach snow when it was
softened and not icy.  I could also prod along well in front of me to
test for icy
"trail".

YMMV,

Sly
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