How to ice axe self arrest

[~mikey b]

that's Mrs homemadesalsa in case you boys didn't know
tougher than you
some of you fellas could use a good woman in your life
happy I got one

[old goat]

Avoid the need to ice axe arrest. Learn how to self belay--nothing fancy. Just ram shaft of axe in as far as you can, move both feet up (one at a time works best), move axe up. If that won't hold you chances are an arrest won't either. Obviously we're not talking about true ice climbing where you can only get the pick in. You fall on that and the only thing that will stop you is a rope or a rock. And while you're at it, learn how to cut steps to save time by not putting on crampons for short icy sections.

[neck beard]

Reckon if I need a whippet, I'm probably only fractions away from needing an ice axe, even a light one will do. And Old Goat points out why: self belay with the shaft is a very useful application. I'm not gung-ho, I like feeling secure, I like having options.

I've also found whippets to be poor at low/high dagger self belay. Another technique that I use nearly every time I am front pointing on hard alpine snow or refrozen spring corn on steep slopes.

A few times I've read of or witnessed high level skiers/boarders, yet low level inexperienced not-humble mountaineers, getting themselves into a scary spot or going for a slide in spring on a steep frozen slope whilst ascending in crampons. The discussion usually concludes with "you really needed a whippet". I usually think, no, you needed to plan your route better, you needed to consider where you were and what you were doing and what your skill level was, and you needed an ice axe.

Whippets have a good practical function in travel, but I think they are over-applied by skiers who don't/won't think like [careful] mountaineers.

For the record, I'm not a high level mountaineer by any stretch.

[neck beard]

some of you fellas could use a good woman in your life
happy I got one

You married Rog?

[freak]

Reckon if I need a whippet, I'm probably only fractions away from needing an ice axe, even a light one will do.

i actually like the combination of whippet.
i usually carry a tiny, very light ice axe ( http://www.simond.com/en/cat/Ice_axe...d/Fox_Carvingt + ice axe) and a whippet if i want to climb something steep and i think its a quite useful and light combination.

freak~[&]

[icelanticskier]

You married Rog?

not yet, but i got me a good one fer sure. marriage/baby(s), the plan

you?

rog

[neck beard]

damn!


123456

[icelanticskier]

damn!


123456

well it only took me 39 years to find her. man o man have i fucked up some good relationships over the years. but not this one.

she wants a whippet, btw. had her up on george with me this winter. she's hooked!

rog

[old goat]

Interesting skiing (and step-cutting) with double ice axes in this video (the second one):
http://snowbrains.com/skiing-where-y...hing-my-limit/

A little bit harder than the stuff I ski.

[icelanticskier]

Interesting skiing (and step-cutting) with double ice axes in this video (the second one):
http://snowbrains.com/skiing-where-y...hing-my-limit/

A little bit harder than the stuff I ski.

ya but what's with the double pole plants

rog