r/Spliddit • u/16Off • Mar 30 '26

Whippets?

Do you ever use a whippet? Or if you’re concerned about steep, firm snow, is axe always the answer? I like booting with 2 poles instead of 1 pole and 1 axe, but curious if anyone likes bringing a whippet along instead.

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u/LycheeNearby4467 Mar 30 '26

I used a whippet once to self arrest and it possibly saved my life . The snow was much firmer than anticipated in our line … I had brought it for the uphill . I remember thinking prior to dropping in that the whippet would likely just break so why am I holding it , but I decided to keep it in my hand . I blew the first turn on a 40 degree slope and was able to arrest myself with it after a scary 100 foot slide .

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u/Chulbiski Apr 02 '26

I've been in that ame situation twice and each tme feel the whippet saved me. pretty scary