[pct-l] Ice Axe Standards

[mdchurch at gmail.com (Matt Church)]

>>>>>Freedom of the Hills - said not to use a strap  because if you
fall and don't have a grip on the ax, you won't get it as you  rocket
down the slopes being mercilessly  flailed by an ice ax.  Of  course,
that memory comes from a time when mountaineers still wore animal 
hides.  Someone correct me, please.>>>>>

That certainly could be the case--being mercilessly flailed by an ice
ax--but I'd much prefer knowing my ice ax was strapped to me.  I see a
much higher chance of losing hold of the ice ax when transferring it
from one hand to another or in a fall.  I'd rather have it strapped to
my arm and within some type of reach rather than it sliding down a
slope untethered.

Thoughts from a mountaineer in training--I'm no expert.

Matt

On 1/26/06, StoneDancer1@aol.com <StoneDancer1@aol.com> wrote:
> In a message dated 1/25/2006 9:13:12 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
> jolson@olc.edu writes:
>
>
> >>>>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've been out of the ice-ax loop since they were 32" long and had wooden
> shafts, but... I have a recollection that the book out of which, eschewing
> Socrates admonition that "he who teaches himself, teaches a fool, " taught  myself
> mountaineering  - Freedom of the Hills - said not to use a strap  because if
> you fall and don't have a grip on the ax, you won't get it as you  rocket down
> the slopes being mercilessly  flailed by an ice ax.  Of  course, that memory
> comes from a time when mountaineers still wore animal  hides.  Someone correct
> me, please.
>
> "No Way Ray"  Echols
>
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