[pct-l] RECALL Alert for Black Diamond Product / Whippet

[Ned Tibbits]

As you guys know, Mountain Education has been using self-arrest ski poles 
ever since we started in 1982. The first brand was made by a company named 
Ramer and their pick-grips were made of a large nylon material that worked 
great. They are no more.

Then Black Diamond came to our attention and we have been using them to 
teach self-arrest skills on ice and snow since 2005. I have worn through 
maybe 6 different generations of these great poles over the years and not a 
one has broken. Now, I'm not saying that one couldn't, under the right 
conditions, much like anything else, but that one has never failed my use 
under constant winter and spring steep slope demonstration and practice to 
multiple groups each year.

So, I just went and took a look at our inventory of rental Whippets acquired 
over the years and most are the black variety before the stainless steel 
versions came out. I, also, have a new model without the questionable notch 
in the blade. So, I guess BD had some trouble with the stainless notch 
failing and designed it out in the current model. Good deal.

But I wouldn't worry about the blade breaking! In my mind, you would have to 
encounter a boulder in the snow pack to snap off that blade and that has yet 
to happen to me.

Keep in mind that the Whippet is not a mountaineering tool like an ice axe 
and is not built to withstand the forces an ice axe is. Nevertheless, it is 
priceless to the non-mountaineer snow-hiker because it is always in your 
hand when you suddenly slip and fall on snow or ice to help you self-arrest. 
I can't tell you how many PCT thru hikers I have seen in the southern sierra 
where we teach our Snow Advanced Course when they pass us by who have ice 
axes that are strapped to the back of their packs, unusable should they 
fall.

Yes, a Whippet can't function in all the roles of an ice axe, but for the 
one role I need it for, it is there to save my life and has never broken!


Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education, Inc.
www.mountaineducation.org
ned at mountaineducation.org


Mission:
"To minimize wilderness accidents, injury, and illness in order to maximize 
wilderness enjoyment, safety, and personal growth, all through experiential 
education and risk awareness training."
-----Original Message----- 
From: jcil000-hiker at yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 1:15 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] RECALL Alert for Black Diamond Product / Whippet

Black Diamond Equipment Recalls Whippet Ski Poles Due to Risk of Injury

|   |
|   |  |   |   |   |   |   |
| Black Diamond Equipment Recalls Whippet Ski Poles Due...The stainless 
steel pick in the ski's handgrip can break and fail to slow or stop users 
from sliding downhill on a snow or ice covered slope. |
|  |
| View on www.cpsc... | Preview by Yahoo |
|  |
|   |


OUCH !  The pole can break and allow users to slide out of control w/o self 
arrest !
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