[pct-l] ice axe length

[m.karon@xxxxxxxxx (Marshall Karon)]

Thank goodness I never needed to use the ice axe on my journey. The idea is
that if you need to do a self arrest, you need to instantly use the ice axe.
And that takes practice and practice. Depending on your athletic abilities,
don't believe that a one day course or reading a book or reading this site
will make you an expert or allow you to do what you need to do if you start
sliding. You will never need ropes. Some people use crampons - and you need
to know the dangers. But, if you can get into the Whites and practice on
those slopes (Tuckerman's  - now that is steep!), go for it.

However, because of the practice needed, some  hikers don't take any ice
axe. They figure that if they get into a place where they need an ice axe,
they will wait for better conditions - like hiking in the noon heat and
avoiding early morning and late afternoons. Limits your mileage, but ....


Marshall Karon
Portland, OR
m.karon@attbi.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Wright" <at2002@earthlink.net>
To: "Matt Geis" <mgeis@yahoo.com>
Cc: <PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2003 8:19 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] ice axe length


>
> On Saturday, February 15, 2003, at 10:10  PM, Matt Geis wrote:
> > to choose, let alone use, an axe.  Take a course or
> > get out and practice with a partner.
>
> I've been looking around for courses in the area (Connecticut). EMS has
> a climbing school (www.emsclimb.com) that offers a one day
> mountaineering course including use of ropes, crampons, ice axes and
> self-arrest.  They offer the course for $180 per person with no more
> than three students per instructor.
>
> Is this a reasonable price?  Is anyone familiar with their courses? Any
> other recommendations out there for classes in the New England area?
> Is one day
> enough?  They offer two and three day courses also.  I'm looking for the
> basic skills needed during a PCT thru-hike.
>
> Radar www.trailjournals.com/gwright
> AT2002,PCT2003?,CDT?
>
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