Skyline trail this Sat. - Is an ice axe necessary?

[rdnlram]

My husband and I are planning to do the Skyline trail on Saturday (1/26), and I'm wondering if there's a need for an ice axe. We will have snow shoes and yak trax, but wasn't sure whether this would suffice. We've hiked the top section from the top of the tram to the peak in the winter with significant snow, so we know what to expect on that portion, but haven't done the lower section up to the tram. I appreciate your feedback.

[Ellen]

Howdy rdnlram

I went up Skyline yesterday. There were icy sections above Flatrock which we negotiated with microspikes and poles. Once we reached the snowy traverse, we stepped in the footprints of previous Skyliners. The traverse snow had consolidated some since a week ago but was not icy.

It will be cold with a chance of snow on Saturday and Sunday.

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... it=0&lg=en

New snow could potentially cover the tracks on the traverse.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[rdnlram]

Thanks so much for your help Ellen! I haven't used micro spikes before--I'm guessing yak trax would probably be OK? I've used these before while hiking on icy sections.

[zippetydude]

I'd pretty much agree. On level ground YakTrax seem to help. On a steep incline, the micros are wonderful. You can find them new on ebay for about $40 and the nearest distributor is local. I got a couple of extra pairs and it took about 3 days to receive them. You might consider trying them out. Hope you have fun out there!

z

[arocknoid]

Hello Lonna,

re:

I'm guessing yak trax would probably be OK? I've used these before while hiking on icy sections.

Not sure what sort of icy sections you hiked with YakTrax, but I would be leery, bigtime of relying on them with an icy traverse like you may encounter on Skyline. They don't edge well at all, and if you try an angled front-point approach, you'll find they also fail, because--oh yeah, no front points.

And if you try heel-in toward hill -- heaven forbid-- get ready for Mr. Toad's Wild Glissade.

Best to reserve them for in-town type conditions, sidewalks, streets etc with minimal slope and less challenging terrain.

Re: ice axe/piolet, if you haven't spent a bit of time training/maintaining skills, you'll probably be much safer with sharp "grabby" hiking poles. Be careful about checking and re-tightening them with snow use. Cold contraction and snow-melt lube effect makes them more prone to unexpected collapse. So expect it.

Metal 'rock baskets', like Claws, can give added icy-conditions security, too. (personally, I'd opt for snow or powder baskets; just make sure your tips/carbides are sharp).

Have fun and stay safe,
kind regards,
arocknoid

[rdnlram]

Thanks everyone for your feedback--really appreciate it!

[Alaskan]

YakTrax are not great. implus, the parent company, just purchased ICEtrekker, much better product on ice. All we use at home.