Help: Self arrest training needed

[leaftye]

My hiking partner and I are planning to start hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in a couple weeks and may need some help learning how to self arrest. We had planning on attending a training course much further north, but we're having trouble getting there. We're thinking that since we'll be going to San Jacinto anyway, and there's plenty of snow there, maybe someone there can help us learn how to properly self arrest. We know it'll cost you to get out there, and you may have to skip work, so of course we're willing to figure out how to compensate you. Please let me know if you're interested in helping us out. Thanks.

[bluerail]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM3xLshmNnk

this guy is a big help, then maybe find a fairly steep slope with good runout and go for it !

[Norris]

It would also be a good idea to invest in a recent copy of Freedom of the Hills and reading the chapters on snow travel, use of ice axe, crampons, etc.

[leaftye]

I read the book. It's still nicer to have someone watching and offering tips, especially if they've had to self arrest for real.

[bluerail]

No practice is like the real thing. It's a real eye opener.

[phydeux]

Why not go up to the snow and practice yourself? Take some 'rough' clothes that 1) you don't mind getting wet/ripping up and 2) are not as slick as nylon so it'll limit sliding (denim works great for this; you'd be amazed how fast you'll pick up speed if wearing something slick like nylon). If you practice during mid-day you should be able to find some soft snow that will limit the speed you'll develop when sliding on a slope.

Don't forget to practice simply using an ice axe while walking on a slope with consolidated snow. This skill helps prevent slides from happening in the first place.

And you might also want to stay overnight (or a few nights) to make sure your UL gear is adequate. Its nice to find out if all that gear can really stand up to the rigors of a long hike along the PCT before getting into trouble in the middle of nowhere.

[zippetydude]

Why not go up to the snow and practice yourself?

Well, 'cause it's more fun with someone else!

phydeux: Wwwwway sweet avatar tar tar! I remember max headroom!

Phydeux is right, practicing by yourself is actually very practical - you can do it and find out that it's very different from the video in ways you don't anticipate. I found that:
1) it beats the crap out of you
2) it's a very good idea to start from various positions (head up, head down...)
3) his advice at the beginning of the video is invaluable. Proper footwork and avoiding a fall are as important as knowing how to self-arrest.

If you have any doubt about number 3, ask bluerail. We had practiced before he had a chance to actually use the skill, but it's hard to practice things like the fall knocking the ice axe out of your hands, and then having to reel it in and self-arrest before entering the after-life. Steve pulled that off, but he's an exceptional athlete (don't listen to a word of denial that he might post, he's as humble as he is competent as an athlete) and he managed to figure it out within about .3 seconds. Had it been more, the outcome could have been much worse. If you can take the tram up at a convenient time, do so, and try a few self-arrests on your own right there in Long Valley. Great place to learn, and you don't have to become an expert in a single trip for it to be of great value. After all, even that little bit may have saved the life of a friend of mine!

z

[leaftye]

I would love to go up there with the sole purpose of practicing, but my start time means that my visit would be limited to the time I actually hike thru that area. Now taking an extra day or three up there to practice self arrest and other winter skills is something I can absolutely do.

Btw, I'm not an UL hiker. I do have some SUL gear, but I am bringing some toys that plant me in the lightweight category, or maybe the lighter side of traditional....although bringing the full complement of snow travel equipment is hardly light.

[phydeux]

Zippitydude - The 'Max' avatar idea came from an I.T. guy I work with. He's got one of a smiling, Rayban'd Max that moves around his giant graphics screen (its saved in a 'screensaver' mode instead of wallpaper), reminding anyone looking at it of how 'Max' used to pop up on different random screens in the old television show. Couldn't find that exact graphic on the web, and can't seem to get his image to transfer to my computer at work. (Dang, I miss that show!!!)

Leaftye - if you want a good place to practice, try off the old Poopout Hill road on the north side of the San G wilderness. Park in the South Fork parking lot, hike up the trail until you intersect the old dirt road, then walk west along (down) the road until you get to the slopes approximately below the Dollar Lake Saddle on a map. The snow on those slopes should be steep and consolidated enough in the AM for good practice walking with an ice axe, and it should get soft enough by mid-day so you won't get going too fast when trying to self-arrest.

And definately, definately practice walking with an axe on hard snow. If your axe is planted firmly, and you feel yourself start to loose balance, simply grabbing onto the axe with both hands and falling into the snow will usually keep you from sliding.

Cheers.

[leaftye]

zippetydude, do you think I should use a tether with my ice axe? If it matters, it's a trekking ice axe.

phydeux, funny that you mentioned that. I was rereading some of Mountaineering, 6E again and I caught that. I breezed over it before.