[pct-l] Dealing with snow

[Jeffrey Olson]

I didn't carry an ice ax at the beginning of my 05 SOBO trip to 
self-arrest.  I didn't want to get that far.  I used to to self-belay.  
When I started across a steep snowfield I set the handle of the ice ax 
deeply in the snow before moving.  I grasped the tee of the ax and made 
sure the strap was tight around my wrist.  Once I took a step and made 
sure I was secure, I then removed the ax and planted the handle again. 


I only fell once using this technique, just before the end of a 
snowfield when I moved too quickly.  The self-belay worked perfectly.


This technique works, but I recommend it only if you really don't have 
any intention of using the ice ax to self-arrest.  Also, I never tried 
it on hardpacked, early morning, north facing snow.  It wouldn't have 
worked.


Since then I started carrying hiking poles.  You can to the same thing 
with a pole if you take off the basket.  Shorten the pole to its minimum 
and make sure  you've buried it almost to the handle. 


Jeff, just Jeff... 
> Jordan2ynp at aol.com wrote:
>> I am first off very happy that this is *hopefully* my last major 
>> issue to figure out. I have my gear list, mail drops, zero days, and 
>> tentative hiking schedule set. I found the best deals for towns to 
>> keep the trip with in my recently expanded $450 a month budget, but 
>> here is my issue...
>>
>> SNOW!!!!  I have never hiked long distances in it, nor am I easily 
>> able to get some to flop around in for practice. Do any vets have 
>> ideas, tips, or suggestions for dealing with the white powder? I keep 
>> piling through gear and wondering do I really need crampons, ice ax, 
>> exc... If I could get yawl's help I would be a very happy camper.
>>
>> Thank you all :)
>