Ice Question

[nartreb]

The pole-trick legend has ample basis in fact.

http://books.google.com/books?id=Lp...onepage&q=ladder poles glacier travel&f=false

 

[TCD]

There is also Vern Tejas:

http://vilda.alaska.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/cdmg13/id/11712/rec/312

http://books.google.com/books?id=ZK...#v=onepage&q=Vern Tejas denali ladder&f=false

A ladder might be a pretty good thing to carry...

 

[Peakbagr]

Tom, yes, a ladder would be great if you wanted to carry it.

 

[JoeCedar]

Maybe I missed it, but no one mentioned tapping on the ice with a hiking pole--know what you are getting into. This has not failed (yet) for me. But I am not ice-phobic. My rule is stay away from possible inlets and outlets and you'll be OK.

 

[Peakbagr]

Joe, staying from inlets and outlets has always been my strategy. Sometimes water bubbles up from a submerged spring and can thin the ice above and nearby - another hazard.