A Whippet Mystery

Ok...  I drove from south tacoma to Second Ascent in Ballard to look for some AT Boots after looking at their website.  Of course they were shocked - shocked that I would be looking for ski gear this early.  There was pretty much no ski gear out on the floor.

Oh well... It was a nice trip to Seattle.  I spent a lot of time in Seattle many years ago, while going to college.  I enjoy seeing my old stomping grounds every once in a while. I have lived in North Seattle - N. 50th, West Seattle,  NAS Sandpoint, Capitol Hill and Queen Anne Hill.  But haven't been in Seattle much in the last 20 years.  Seattle still feels like home. 

Well, I did see one lonely Whippet on the floor at Second Ascent.  I probably could have saved half a lift ticket by purchasing on the internet.  But it was there and I was there and mr. whippet was on my wish list.  So I bought it.  Something to show for my trip.

I had brought my new bicycle with me and also took a nostalgic spin around Green Lake after shopping.

Anyway, this Whippet is now sold with the entire ski pole.  I don't know if this is new, but it has a 'canard' on the blade.  The canard is supposed to help with hand grip.  Looks like it would also help with snow grip.  Also there is a bit of split rubber hose stuck on the top edge to soften the top grip.

This blade tool has a long twisted tang on it with a button on the end that engages a slot in the ski pole below the handle.

Removing and installing the blade is no easy task.  To remove, ya gotta push in on the button and pull as hard as you can until it slips out about 2mm.  Then re-grip the blade evenly between front and back and pull again with a twist.  The tang rotates on as it moves out.  This blade will not accidently fall off.

My question is... what in the heck is this second tool?  I checked the instructions and scanned the net... nothing.  It is a mystery.  Anyone have any ideas?

I will call first before heading back to Second Ascent.

The second "tool" is not a tool, but a filler for the hole left by the removal of the whippet (It also may be a tool, but I not sure for what).   Also, I replaced the bottom of my whippet pole with the two piece  bottom section of my BD expedition pole making the whippet smaller for better packing.

I hope this helps
climberdave

   

Thanks Dave,
and yes the second is the filler that holds the/your wrist strap for your touring days.

Larry, The removal and re-instalition of these will get easier once you practice and notice that there is a 90? or 180deg twist that happens. Believe me...it will get easier!

My 2 questions to BD are:
"why is there not a (motre evident) bottle oopener on either piece"??

Why is it so long??? not alot of marathon skating being done...would be nice to get this thing small like with Dave's idea of putting a smaller lower shaft in the bottom. I think i'll cut 6' inches offf the lower shaft.

pin'

Ok... I drove from south tacoma to Second Ascent in Ballard to look for some AT Boots after looking at their website. Of course they were shocked - shocked that I would be looking for ski gear this early. There was pretty much no ski gear out on the floor.

Odd, isn't it to hear that surprise from a bunch of outdoorsy/climber/skier types? I was really sort of floored by their apparent lack of interest.
Hmmm.

I think you guys are right... that the second item is a filler meant to hold a strap.  I partially inserted it and decided that if I put it in all the way that it would be real difficult to pull it out without a strap attached.

I wonder, why they just didn't put an extra strap on that piece?  I might see if I can do a little bend adj. on the filler piece to make easier to pull out.

Yes.. I thought it was odd that the lower pole segment was so long and a single segment.  I suppose one could take the two pieces apart for packing.  I generally have used one piece poles anyway, so no problem for me.

I hope Second Ascent takes on a new attitude when they do get their ski gear out.   We will find out.  The store seems to have a whole different image than their web site.   The idea of buying and selling used ski gear is a good one.  I just never seem to get to the sniagrabs.  I went to a Boeing Employees ski swap once and got some good deals for the kids.   And I will never, never, never again bother with an REI garage sale... that's just insane.

Try next adventure in Portland

www.nextadventure.net/

I found a pair of 05 - 06 Karhu Jak BC's for $200 (still in the wrapper) in the basement.  They have tons of skis and outdoor stuff,  a very friendly staff and stuff's cheaper than retail.

climberdave