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[pct-l] Ice axe need and usage
- Subject: [pct-l] Ice axe need and usage
- From: Brick Robbins <brick%40ix%2Enetcom%2Ecom>
- Date: Tue, 07 Oct 1997 23:03:19 -0700
>Jardine's <snip> (the man's an inspiration)
That's not what lots of the folks call him. Have a look at
http://www.netcom.com/~brick/jardine.html
>Jardine suggests, essentially, that you're a fool if you don't head
>north from Campo with your axe at the ready
Jardine suggests that you are a fool if you disagree with anything that he
preaches, not just ice axe usage. If you voice your disagreement (or
publish it on the web), he may even threaten to sue you. See
http://www.netcom.com/~brick/history.html
===enough about ray, now to your questions======
There is quite a bit of opinion about ice axes in the 1996 list archives I
threaded a while back. This information is available at
http://www.gorp.com/pcta/listarc.htm and may answer most of your questions.
There is a bunch of other good stuff there too.
Personally, in a normal year I would pick up my axe either at Kenedy
Meadows, or in a resupply stop over Trail Pass at Lone Pine (no exit over
Whitney W/O an axe!!). Otherwise it is just extra weight. Might be nice on
Fuller Ridge an Baden Powell, but if you are clever, probably not nesc.
Next summer may be much snowier than normal due to the El Nin~o brewing in
the pacific. All MHO of course
>Ray demonstrates that the proper self-arrest technique
>involves grasping the axe about its head, with
>the pick forward, ready to dig into snow.
If you have never used an ice axe then it will probably be more of a hazard
(lots of sharp pointy edges) than a help if you don't get some instruction.
I STRONGLY suggest taking a course, even if you have to travel to someplace
snowy. The "Ray Way" of self arrest is straight out of a winter
mounaineering text book -- nothing unique to Jardine. The other technique
you mentioned is for climbing UP, not arresting a fall. You should also
learn how to cut steps so you can climb in the early morning. IMHO crampons
are just useless extra weight for a PCT hike.
Well Listers? Any other opinions?
Read all you can, learn all you can, then make up your own mind.
Hike your own hike.
Brick Robbins
among other things,
PCTA Webmaster
http://www.gorp.com/pcta
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