Pole straps or no pole straps

Yup. What he said. I follow the dogma. Never seemed like that big a tradeoff. On climbs with any amount of traversing and switchbacking I'd want them off anyway to be able to choke up on the uphill pole.

Mack,

You gotta work tomorrow? :'(

Bummer.

It's dumping here in Glacier!

I might not be writing this if I had straps on one day -- end of a great powder day, tired, weaving through a 20-yr old clear cut, the edge of a tree well gave way and I was instantly flipped upside down with snow covering my head. My body was sealed in but upper arms were free to frantically wipe snow away from face. Dug out by partner who was behind me but I'll never forget the feeling of frantic seconds without air against my face and having free hands to do something about it. A never thought it would happen to me thing -- but it did.

Plus, like Jim I like to choke up when climbing.

Obviously a personal choice and decision.

Yup, straps in trees certainly not recommended.

Yup, straps "on" avalanche terrain, not great idea.  (User needs to define that and the risk, right?)

Reasons to never use straps?  Nope.

I also like to choke up.  I also often use poles set at two different lengths and swap hands during switch-backs and terrain changes.  Does that mean I can't use straps?  Nope.

If straps offered no advantage whatsoever, then this issue would be a no brainer. But if you learn to use them properly, is it really so difficult to put them on and take them off at the appropriate time?

Alan

Gotta love Allan.
I'm not trying to influence one way or the other, but since so many near miss stories are out there I thought I would contribute the other side of the story with straps on.
In no way is this a recommendation to use ski straps just my experiences.

I guess stupid is as stupid does huh?
In several tree wells upside down with snow collapsing on me with straps on. Check
In several avalanches with straps on. In one case pretty dramatic where the poles probably saved my life, definitely kept me upright and able to ski out. Check
Several sprained thumbs, not from the pole strap but catching falls on trees, rock or slope. Check
Upside down hanging in bergshrung from skis only with straps on. Check
Tumbling head over heels from the top of the Window at Alpental to the turn to lower International with pole straps on. Check -Though I lost one pole at the base of the Window after the 1st two flips.
Several slides for life where I wore the tips of my leather gloves down trying to self arrest straps still on. Check
I know there is more crap out there I just can't remember all the drama. Check
Still alive and skiing All with pole straps on. Check
Straps off, getting on chairlift, pole tip catches on snow punches me in mouth. Check

Edit-added Cheesy Grin to imply entertainment, not serious intent.
Nervous Nellies and Regulators bring it entertain me with your criticisms.
Thread Hijack warning*Best one wins a free wax job. That is a ski not skin or hair removal.

I think this is a great thread and all the opinions and experiences make for a great way for myself, and I assume others, to evaluate what to do and when.

I think that I will probably think more critically when I use straps.

Also, it is clear that there are differences in the terrain that we play in as well, leading to very different results. So I don't disagree with any of the comments on this thread.

I am amazed at the depth of discussion on a topic seemingly as minor as pole straps. If there were a web bot that could scan all these types of threads and gleen the wisdom of what is posted then there could be the making of a backcountry wiki.

For instance we could rapidly look up just what is the optimal torque setting on the fliplock on your pole, or answer once and for all the whether a bon bon is critical piece of gear or not.

(just kidding on the last part, but have appreciated all the comments on the threads.)

Alan