Can I get through the entire PCT with trekking poles in place of an ice axe? Is it possible to hike with trekking poles and an ice axe? If an ice axe is necessary, it seems like I would have pack way the trekking poles (at least one of them) so then I could carry the ice axe. Anyone have any advice?
cheeserTOM
It all depends on the snow. If there’s a lot of snow like this year than you’d be foolish not to carry one and know how to use it (and crampons too). Last year I never used my axe and sent it home from Mammoth Lakes north of the high sierra. I used my pole all the time for balance and to avoid post holing in the snow, and for stream crossings but could have got by without the axe. It looks cool for pictures though.
Munch
In 03 I hiked for a bit with a guy who had a removable ice axe on the end of one of his hiking poles.
toes
I’ve seen that too- the trekking pole with the axe pick on the end. I think it might be Black Diamond that makes it. Either way, it’s out there and that might be the compromise you’re looking for.
zach attack
Probebly 50% of Pct hikers don’t Carry an Ice axe and most discover they don’t use it. Yacktrax are much cheaper and much lighter. Although this is an exceptionaly high snow year, the fact that its relativly fresh snow (which hadn’t had a chance to solidify like older snow) will probebly promise that you will posthole in it and an Iceaxe will be totaly useles. You might want snow gaskets for your poles if this last snow storm was realy that heavy.
roni
The snow this year the Sierras look a lot like 1998. That year an ice axe was absolutely necessary to cross the icy chute just south of Forester Pass as late as July 7. Most thru-hikers skipped around Forester that year. Anyone using only trekking poles was crazy as it was a long chute of ice straight down for a lo-o-o-ng way. The snow in that chute does not get sun and stays icy. There is no way to punch in steps very deep.
Turtle Walking