I mostly use a whippet splitboarding because if it’s steep enough for an ice axe I’m usually on skis. Even on skis I usually have a whippet in hand and the axe on the pack in case I want it. What a whippet will do for you is give you enough drag to get your edge or edges below you which is the better way to stop or slow down anyway.

I’ve mostly actually mostly arrested with the whippet while skinning firm snow. I’ve developed a lighting fast whippet reflex that can be amusing when I just have a regular ski pole.

A big thing your son will learn is that is OK to ride with a pole or two, even just holding one or both like a baton. Snowboarders can be resistant to using poles but they’re quite usefull in the backcountry: little things like stopping standing up in soft snow, staying out of trees wells, or ginving yourself a little push.

In space no one can hear you scream.
In the backcountry no one can see you use poles and think you’re a skier.

I know very few splitters that ride with an ice axe or whippet. I can think of a few instances where I’ve seen it on extremely steep and/or ice slopes but 99.9% of the time it would be overkill. I’ve been told that the risk of impalling yourself is greater than the fall hazard most of the time. Take a look at all the riders riding the super steeps in the Sierra the last few weeks. No self arrest tools.

The uphill is a different story.

All the being said, the cover of Backcountry Mag. a few months ago was a picture of John Griber riding with an axe.

My .02 with aknowledgement that I’m a relative newbie and do not ride gnar gnar lines.

I’d be interested in what Scott Newsome thinks.

@mtnrider wrote:

Nor am I a Pro rider but I tend feel that if you need to ride down a steep w/ an ice axe or whippet you might want to hone your skills a little more at the resort.

That’s crap IMHO, the resort is a controlled environment for the most part. Perhaps the people you feel are in need of more practice are in fact overreaching their abilities, as backcountry and resort riding are two completely different beasts. You need to have a much greater level of knowledge for the terrain and snow conditions, and properly assess what is within your abilites.

I ride with an arrest device in my hand, in most conditions, in case I unexpectedly hit ice I am not expecting with too much speed and lose an edge. That has nothing to due with the slope either, as one could also lose an edge on moderate terrain and need to quickly stop prior to a terrain trap. Arresting a heelside slip would definitely be quite difficult, but I will gladly take the ability to have a chance to limit a slide and the small risk of impalement vs. having no chance to control/slowdown/stop an unexpected slide. To each their own, but I personally would never consider someone a better rider because they opt not to descend with a self arrest device.

I ride w/ an axe in many occasions. In fact I’ve used them gaining entry into the ripper and powerhouse chute (featured in the dana plateau threads) when conditions are firm. This entails dropping in toeside plunging the axe for self belay. Then I start making turns w/ the axe where it is steep and i feel i can use it for self arrest if my edge gives out. Once I get comfortable I stop and put it away so I can ride faster. And I will honestly say I am more solid on steeps than most here, but have no shame riding w/ an axe. The whole deal about impaling yourself is stupid. Sure, once your hauling ass on lower angle slopes an axe becomes a detriment, but on the upper steeper sections it just makes you safer. A lot of skiers are jealous because they cannot drop in w/ one effectively. And to say that if you need an axe you shouldn’t be on the slope is silly too. That’s like saying if you’re climbing a 5.6 you shouldn’t need a rope. And I’ve self arrested myself on my heel edge before. It’s very easy. If I didn’t I woulda went for a long ride too.

Bottom line is dropping in on something steep w/ somewhat firm/good self arresting conditions w/ an axe is safer than w/out one given that you know how to use it and know when to put it away.

Well jjue …as you can see this seems to be a matter of opion. I travel uphill with a whippet as one pole. Im using poles anyway so one may as well be a whippet. Ashep pointed out they come as a two piece so they are long but what you want to do is buy another set of BD poles that are 3 piece and use the lower half to make your whippet a 3 piece.
I have used the whippet at least 4 times on an Icy skin up where I slipped . No I was exposed to a cliff or anything hugely steep, but it does stop you in an instant and you can get your shit back together. It also gives up a secure point to hold onto while you get you shit together.And the biggest thing is you dont slide down and loose that 500 feet of elevation you just skinned
I will change over to an Ice axe for climbing anything above ….oh 45 or 50 degrees as its nice to have a good handle to hold onto as you climb.
I have rode down with an Ice axe on steep Icy slopes but I feel just as confidant riding down the same slope with a whippet.
I think my problem with my ice axe is its smooth handle and the fact that Im wearing thick nylon gloves. However Im looking into getting a new axe with a handle.
If I had to choose between the two I would go with a whippet, Again thats just a personal choice for me based on the fact that the whippet just feels more stable in my hand.

I have 2 Whippets, and I use them on every trip. I find them to be indispensable for the uphill, especially when you’re skinning across some frozen traverse and you slip. The whippet can stop you pretty much instantly before you really start sliding. They are also great for climbing steep stuff. I, personally, don’t really bring the axe much anymore, but YMMV!!!

Poles are also very useful in general in the backcountry as people have mentioned, for helping get across flat sections, keeping balance when riding with a large overnight pack, getting up when you fall in deep pow, etc.

As far as using it as a self-arrest device, I don’t think it’s generally as effective as an axe, but it’s still useful. I use one (collapsed) on really steep stuff. It can also be helpful when maneuvering around in a tight steep chute entrance, similar to what BGnight was talking about.

I think it is most useful when you are going slow. Think of when you’d use an axe when climbing, you are basically standing still and then you slip. Your chances of successfully arresting are greater the slower you are going.

When you’re riding, you’re usually already going somewhat fast unless you’re picking your way around the entrance to a chute. Once you get in a slide for life situation, I think the utility of an axe or whippet is questionable, versus just trying to get upright enough to use your other main arrest tool – your board edges. Not that I don’t think the axe/whippet can be helpful, as I mentioned I will carry a whippet in steep areas, and it gives me a little more peace of mind.

In any case, you will want to practice self-arresting with whatever tool you use, so that it is second nature if you need to do it. Note that the typical climbing self-arrest moves may not apply, especially if you’re heelside, so you might need to adapt the techniques somewhat. (…which reminds me, I need to do more practicing…)

The one time I was in a serious slide for life, I had the Whippet out, and I was sliding heelside, and my only thought was getting that heel edge dug in enough to stop, which is what eventually happened. Nowadays when I’m dropping steep stuff, I usually drop in toeside since I feel I have a little more edge control on that side, and I’m already in position to arrest if I need to.

You can mod the Whippet to attach to the lowers of the Expedition, so that it’s a 3-section pole. Most people here who use a Whippet have done this mod. You just have to make sure that you have the right diameter lowers (BD have changed pole diameters over the years, so depending on which year’s Whippet you have, you may need different Expedition lowers). There are some comments on this here.

Oh yeah, and wear a helmet! 🙂

@mtnrider wrote:

You’re entitled to your opinion, but I’ve ridden w/ plenty of folk on this board that SHOULDN’T be out riding Powerhouse or some other epic chute.

I’m sure that is indeed the case, so the error falls in their ability to properly assess their skill level for the given conditions/route and the added risk they place on their fellow riders.

@mtnrider wrote:

SO IMHO, your theory on resort riding is crap too.

I never said in-bounds avy/accidents don’t happen. My reference to a controlled environment at resorts is that the snow pack has a much greater level of maintenance (grooming, avy control, etc…) that provides a more consistent riding surface than one typically finds in the backcountry.

Nevertheless it still remains the riders responsibility to choose lines within their ability for the given conditions and then to ride them under control…with or without an arrest device. Cheers

@Ecobrad wrote:

ice infested couloir on Leavit peak?

Which side of Leavitt peak? Was thinking about hitting the north facing bowl this weekend after seeing that 108 is open.

@Ecobrad wrote:

The one on the left. I think it’s on the N-NW side.

Thanks! BTW, when was the pick taken?