[pct-l] Ice Axes,, Does length matter??

[chelin at teleport.com (Sharon & Chuck Chelin)]

Good afternoon, Monte,

Here is an alternate view on short ice axes.  I'm a hiker, not an ice
climber. I have never belayed with mine except during practice, but if I did
have to belay a short handle would work OK in crusty, late season snow-pack.
I carry an ice axe only to chop an occasional set of steps, and for its
comforting potential of self-arrest when the pucker-factor gets high.
Otherwise the fool thing is strapped to the back of my pack and I use a set
of hiking poles.  My axe is 45 cm, which is perfectly good for arrest, in
fact I find that it is quicker and handier than the longer ones that I have
tried.  For chopping steps a short axe is not as handy as a long one because
it is necessary to bend over further, but I seldom chop more than 20 steps a
year, while I carry it a good bit.  The 45 cm axe is about the same length
as my pack so it doesn't have it's spike sticking out the bottom hanging-up
every time I sit or remove the pack.  Besides, the thought of that spike
hanging down there threatening the back of my legs, and my exhaust system,
is not very comforting.  I'm not altogether happy with it, though.  Someday
I will find a lighter ... but still short ... replacement.

Steel-Eye


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Monte Dodge" <montedodge@msn.com>
To: "pct-l" <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2004 3:17 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Ice Axes,, Does length matter??


My biggest gripe in the whole world is the selling of short handled ice
axes!! Finally one of the makers feels my pain! Check out your new issue of
Backpacker with an axe and is a combo ice axe/hiker pole with complete
basket. This is a telescoping handled ice axe that weighes 19 ozs. While not
the lightest in the land, looks to be a good piece of gear for next year's
thru-hikers PCT / CDT.  I hate these short handled techo-ice hammer length
ice axes that always seem to stay on the back of your pack. Hikers biggest
compliment about them of their weight. ( Hey, why not make them with only a
4 inch handle and save more weight!! TIC)
    I love a nice 90cm handle and axe should hit floor and your hand's palm
out flat at same time. ( Ever go downhill with a short ice axe? Not much
help until you do fall and offers no prevention from that, plus do a
horrible job at self belay with that short handle driven in the snow. Wood
axes rule with me and don't forget some nice Stubi Ultralight Crampons as
well for early trips or bad snow years. Monte ( Broken Record) Dodge
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