[pct-l] Ice Axe History

[montedodge at msn.com (Monte Dodge)]

 Alpen Stocks ruled Swiss Alps in days past till the early part of this century. Then long ice axes started to appear. The first metal handle ice axe was sold by REI in 1972. MSR Thunderbird with it's 
" Funky Hatchet Head" .. This are now rare and going quietly into climbing history as rock pitons.. The last year REI offered a wood handle ice axe was 1980.. It's been 25 years since wood which is a thing of beauty!! New materials now entice the hiker and wooden handles and hatchet head are gone. One thing I don't like is these super short handles all in the stake of lighter weight. These glorified ice hammers are dangerous in a fall and don't offer as good of control as a longer handle does. Also walking down a steep slope is no fun with your handle dangling above the snow. Soft snow allows long handle better grip when pushed deep into the snow......