Splitboard.com Forums

Sounds great!

For those who use them- how are Whippets more effective for backcountry shredding than a light alpine axe? I always thought one of the (few) big advantages of snowboard mountaineering was that it facilitated carrying an axe on the way down. Maybe I'm just old fashioned....

It is to have the ability to arrest a fall while skinning in firm conditions. I also like it for booting with crampons on firm, fairly steep, but not ice axe steep slopes.

I contacted BD about parts for a 3 piece whippet. He said right now you can use the Trail Trekking Poles Mid and Lower shafts (Purchased in mountain spare parts) with the whippet upper.

However, he said they are coming out with a 3-piece carbon fiber whippet for Fall 2013. So I might have to just wait for that.

Pretty much the same as buell, I like using whippets all spring and in any ascent i expect to be firm but not steep enough for axe use.

FYI (just so the diameters are on the forum somewhere) . . .
The later model whippet upper diameter is 16 mm. The mids & lowers need to be 14 & 12 mm respectively.
For reference, the Expedition pieces are 18, 16, and 14 mm respectively.

New poles for this year
Had issues with new whippet having different dia so had to complete hack them up.
Worked out OK in the end.









My old one





They might get a run this weekend!!!!!!!!!