[pct-l] Ice Axe Standards

[mlissner at aidshike.org (Michael Lissner)]

When we went through (early season, high snow), there were very few
times when the snow was so soft that you couldn't plant the shaft of
your axe if you wanted to - the days are HOT. A crust formed at night,
but you could usually plant through it if you had to. Even the crust
only lasted  few hours anyway, so it wasn't too bad most of the time.

My take, for what it's worth, is that the axe is good enough for
thru-hikers that aren't going to have a successful self-arrest in all
likelihood anyway. I figure our only hope is in self-belay (the shaft
method).

-patch

eric lee wrote:

> All snowy passes go through a freeze thaw cycle during the day. 
> Meaning there will be times when it's icey, and times when it's slush. 
> If you plan properly then you can hit the slush and it's easy to do 
> the kick step process. If you hit icey sections, well, thats 
> different. If you loose your footing while climbing these 
> slopes(especially the high angle passes like Forester and Mather) then 
> you can go for a long slide that could end very unpleasantly. No one 
> plans to slip and fall, but if I slip, I want something tested and 
> proven to hold up to any sort of snow/ice conditions. Just my 
> thinking. Yes most of the time it'll be slush during PCT hiking 
> months, so it's your choice on what you take.
> Eric
>
>
>> From: Jeffrey Olson <jolson@olc.edu>
>> CC: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Ice Axe Standards
>> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 22:16:14 -0700
>>
>> I'm curious.  Isn't how most thru-hikers use their ice ax the bury 
>> the shaft up to the ax part, and take a step.  Then, while very 
>> secure in footing, move the ax and bury it to the hilt again, and 
>> then step and kick a secure foothold?  Isn't the wrist strap to 
>> ensure that if you do slip and fall, that you are not only holding 
>> onto the ax head, but are "strapped in?"
>>
>> I know that while in Washington in mid-June this year the only call 
>> for an ice ax was to be used in this manner.  Is there something I'm 
>> missing here?  Is it any different  on the passes in the Sierra in 
>> June?  Isn't it "Plant and kick a foothold, plant, and kick a 
>> foothold???
>>
>> Jeff Olson
>> Martin, SD
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