DEC issues back country warning

[Dennis C.]

I was all in agreement with the DEC warning and recommendations until this: "Carry a day pack with an ice axe". Who wrote that piece of... info? Very few winter hikers carry, or need, an ice axe in the Adirondacks.)

While ski pole(s) seemed sufficient for New England peaks, I found the ice axe was actually a better tool for use in the Adirondacks. There are a lot of upper steep slopes that you could dig into the snow pack or reach out and grab a tree and and pull yourself up. I also recall using it to slow down a couple times on occasional steep descents.