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

[Linda Sheehan]

Looks like the recall affects only a few whippets. See the Black Diamond
website. Good to note though.
Linda S

On Wed, Dec 23, 2015 at 9:21 PM, Ned Tibbits <ned at mountaineducation.org>
wrote:

> 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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