[pct-l] Ice Axe Standards

[thebeave7 at hotmail.com (eric lee)]

Jerry don't second guess yourself, ULA does admit this ax is designed only 
for "non-technical use". I did send a few emails back and forth with the 
designer of the Helix, and he informed me that the ax isn't designed for 
technical mountaineering, but specifically for through hikers. I agree, in 
that I would not trust my life to this tool if I were to slip on an icey 
slope near any high sierra pass.
http://www.ula-equipment.com/helix.htm
As a realatively new mountaineer(3 full winters under my belt) I've seen too 
many people hurt in the past few years to take unnecessary chances on snow. 
Just my opinion.
Eric


>From: "Jerry Goller" <jerrygoller@backpackgeartest.org>
>To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
>Subject: RE: [pct-l] Ice Axe Standards
>Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 21:55:16 -0700
>
>Oh, wait.....I just figured it out. *BackpackingLight.com*, a general
>retailer and manufacturer of their own line of lightweight gear, is putting
>the disclaimer on it, not ULA, the actual Helix manufacturer.
>
>Oh, well....that's different.
>
>BTW, I'm not a serious mountaineer nor do I plan to be one. I'll use an ice
>axe, or Whippet, or Snowscopic or whatever, just for self arrest, but not
>anything technical.
>
>I'd never use the Helix as a mountaineering ice axe though. But then, I
>doubt I'd use anything else, either....  ;o)
>
>Jerry
>
>
>http://www.BackpackGearTest.org : the most comprehensive interactive gear
>reviews and tests on the planet.
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
>[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Doodad PCT
>Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 9:28 PM
>To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>Subject: [pct-l] Ice Axe Standards
>
>I'm concerned about backpackers' purchasing and using an important tool 
>like
>an ice axe which hasn't been properly tested for minimum safety standards.
>An ice axe is a serious mountaineering tool, whether it is used by a
>"backpacker" or a "mountaineer."  If you are using an ice axe in a 
>situation
>where a slip could lead to a quickly-accelerating slide toward dangerous
>terrain below, you need to be able to execute a self-arrest.
>
>There has been some dicussion about the ULA Helix Ice Axe:
>
>http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/ula_helix_ice_axe_c
>arbon_fiber.html?id=9br9M4Eg:71.112.49.226
>
>The Helix is marketed with the following warning:
>
>WARNING: THE HELIX IS NOT CERTIFIED BY ANY RECOGNIZED MOUNTAINEERING SAFETY
>ORGANIZATION TO MEET ANY LEVEL OF MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS. USING THIS TOOL
>FOR THE FOLLOWING TECHNIQUES MAY RESULT IN ITS FAILURE WHICH MAY CAUSE
>SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH: ICE AXE ARREST, BOOT AXE BELAYS, PLUNGED SHAFT
>BELAY/ARREST, PIOLET PANNE, PIOLET POIGNARD, PIOLET ANCRE, PIOLET TRACTION,
>DRY TOOLING, OR OTHER TECHNIQUES BEST SUITED FOR B- OR T-RATED ICE TOOLS.
>
>The universally-recognized safety standards organization for mountaineering
>equipment is the Swiss-based UIAA.  See the UIAA standards for ice axes:
>
>http://www.uiaa.ch/web.test/visual/Safety/PictUIAA152-EN13089Ice-Tools.pdf
>
>I can't imagine why anybody would want to carry an ice axe, no matter how
>lightweight, if it can't used for a self-arrest.  My Diamond ice axe is
>rated "B" according to UIAA.  If I need to use it for a self-arrest, I 
>don't
>have to worry about its possibly coming apart in those seconds when my life
>or health could depend on it.
>
>Doodad
>PCT Northbound 2006
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE!
>http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/
>
>_______________________________________________
>pct-l mailing list
>pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>unsubscribe or change options:
>http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
>_______________________________________________
>pct-l mailing list
>pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>unsubscribe or change options:
>http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l