In reply to CurlyStevo:
> "I never use them but many people I know do"
> So you feel its ok to give out advise on how to use kit that you never use?
I am passing on the opinions of people more experienced than me so yes I feel it is ok to give that advice. Just because I personally don't like walking poles doesn't mean I don't see how they can be beneficial.
> ". If you struggle to balance on that terrain then you have bigger problems to address"
> Again you seem a little confused, one minute poles are usefull walking up hill the next only people that can't ballance would need a walking aid on ground under 40 dgrees. IMO if you are on sustained icey / neve ground 40 degrees and above with poles out you are asking for trouble.
Poles are useful for walking on hilly ground because they result in less effort expenditure (for your legs at least), particularly in power snow, and can allow you to move faster. And I would never advocate the use of poles on 40 degree ground and I haven't said that.
> "Of course this is just my opinion "
> Sure and you are entitled to it, but with a little more experience you may find that changes (if your ukc profile is up to date)
Yes I appreciate that given your profile you are far more experienced than I. But I don't think our opinions are that different as to the best uses for an axe and poles. Your conversation extract below I think is similar to what I am saying.
"> "For less steep ground, where you may be using the axe as a cane, then I just use walking poles."
> I do this too sometimes, especially when walking in in soft deep snow. This is extra weight to carry though and of course self arresting with poles in the general case won't work (specialist poles can be bought though) and if you are prepared to self arrest you will need both hands free / only carrying a single ice axe.
Seems we agree
"
I think Martin and Snowdave also made the point I was trying to make (but more successfully it seems! lol)... both below respectively.
>I'd go with a shorter axe as it will be much easier to manage on scrambles and will still be able to arrest a fall on steeper walking ground. For less steep ground, where you may be using the axe as a cane, then I just use walking poles.
>If you want stability do not get an axe to lean on as a pole! Get a pole instead! Swap from pole to ice axe on hill when the chance of a slip would result in a dangerous situation!
Post edited at 15:52