Steve1215 wrote:-
--an Alaskan trick for crossing crevasse fields solo...
what you do is you carry an 18ft lightweight aluminum ladder...strapped to your body.....wear it over yer head, resting on yer shoulders at the midpoint, perpendicular to yer belly button...
if you fall into a crevasse solo the sturdy ladder should span the crevasse and save you...now you just figure a way to clamber out
this is for real
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I think I heard about this long time ago. But practicability is an issue. When I started traversing glaciers solo I thought about some kind of protection but with passing time while my experience and confidence were growing the thoughts just faded out.
After my last crevasse experience, however, I may be wearing harness and have a couple of ice screws (and a picket for snow) easily accessible around my chest. That would have helped a lot in reducing the risk of falling deeper and lowering the stress while getting out the last time.
I still have a few ideas about some devices that might save someone from falling completely in a crevasse or help getting out once in it (as long as alive). There are situations the ice axes or ice tools may just not work no matter how strong and skilled someone is (I’ve practiced various scenarios). Therefore, the best strategy, of which I’m an advocate (sh. happens anyway), is NO FALL policy.
And the same is with avalanches… …avoiding them.