[pct-l] ice axe length

[CHUCK CHELIN]

Good afternoon,

Belaying, with or without an ice axe, is something done with climbing ropes;
and climbing ropes are very rarely seen on the trail and even more rarely
needed.  Saying self-arrest can’t be performed with a short ice axe is just
plain silly.



Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Sat, Jan 29, 2011 at 2:31 PM, <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:

> With the adz at shoulder level and the shaft running diagonally across your
> stomach to your opposite anterior pelvic edge (I've forgotten what it's
> actually called), do you have enough shaft length to hold onto the shaft at
> that pelvic location to perform a self-arrest? Short axes are lighter, but
> useless for self-belay up or self-arrest down the pass. Will you be using
> the axe as a walking stick or pack prop?
>
>
> "Just remember, Be Careful out there!"
>
> Ned Tibbits, Director
> Mountain Education
> 1106A Ski Run Blvd
> South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
>    P: 888-996-8333
>    F: 530-541-1456
>    C: 530-721-1551
>    http://www.mountaineducation.org
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Nathan Ventura" <nathanrainer at verizon.net>
> To: "pct-l" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2011 12:55 PM
> Subject: [pct-l] ice axe length
>
>
> > Just received my 70cm tall ice axe in the mail. I am 5' 10" and
> > according to the sizing chart this length is good for low angle 15
> > degree slopes. I was surprised by how short it is now that it is here.
> > Is this really a good length. I bought it from REI so it would be easy
> > to return for a different size. Any suggestions for as to what length
> > would be good for someone of my size on the grades that I will be
> > hiking with it would be appreciated.
> >
> > -Rainer
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