I've been skiing with Whippets since they first came out - actually, even before they came out as I designed them for BD many years ago (no, I don't get commissions or royalties on them!). I love using them because they are always there and you never know when you are going to have a small slip which could turn into a big slide. With Whippets, you can instantly plug them into the snow to stop a fall, or at least get your feet back underneath you. I use them as a pair - one in each hand. Another nice aspect of Whippets, especially for ski mountaineering is that they work well for ascending - I'm constantly using them in 4wd mode when booting up a chute and they greatly enhance your traction.

Anybody remember 'The Animal'? It was a toy truck that when the going got tough it had claws that would pop out of the tires and it would climb anything. Tag line was 'Can anything stop The Animal'. Sorry for the tangent there, but that's how I feel using the Whippets. When the climbing gets steep, sketchy, icy or rocky these poles are a lifesaver. I've hooked trees, plugged em into moss, mud and rock. It's also nice in steep chutes to jam the picks in the snow and clip your pack, skis or other gear into the straps so you don't drop anything.

I don't think they should be called 'self arrest poles', I think they are more of a climbing tool. I've taken some big long nasty falls and while attacking the slope for all I was worth the poles didn't arrest me. It seems your only chance is right at the moment of loosing control and the snow must be firm enough, but not too firm. Nice to have even then, but don't count on stopping yourself.

These really are a must have for ski mountaineering.

All this talk about how you only get one... listen folks, the preeminent ski mountaineers out there now-a-days all use Whippets, and for a reason, they work. I have used the Whippet on all of my steep skiing mission over the past five years. I particularly love them for the ascents, when you may be climbing steep snow and need to get a little extra "ummph" on the pull up. They give you piece of mind on the way down, although thankfully I have not had to use them while skiing. You may only need one, but it will be completely worth the investment.

This is a crucial piece to own for the ski mountaineer or a steep skiing backcountry adventureer. To have an axe readily available while in motion in more challenging terrain is an incredible asset to your safety. The whippet has saved me in several moving snow scenarios as it is extremely reliable and solid in its purchase to bed surfaces- it will work in self-arrest scenarios. It is also extremely handy in uphill challenges for the occasional section of ice or steeper terrain. It also hooks rock features well and can be a nice tool for reach in scrambling. This is a pole that could save your life as well as enhance your climb any day out in the real deal backcountry. Features include a really nice & comfortable hand grip, collapsable shaft for travel, and nice sharp axe head (with cover).

the whippet is great. last weekend on mount rainier it saved a friend of mine from a long and nasty fall in the dark of night. i have been just skiing with one but will likely get another one. a few days ago i used it on early morning steep slopes - works like a charm bc you can dig it in and get you skis righted. the very first day i used it i lost the top cap for it however. that could attach a bit better. i like very light gear but this kind of needs a bit of girth because it's an ice axe afterall... so really no complaints.

wont leave home without one. These are a bit overpriced but worth it. essential for any steep climb or traverse in sketch conditions.

Another smart product from Black Diamond. If you need 'em, you'll be glad to have 'em. An essential for ski mountaineering and a smart idea for regular mountaineering too.

Great for climbing and skiing in no-fall terrain or on hard snow above exposure. Im kind of a ninny when it comes to walking on knife-edge ridges and the like, so having a whippet in hand to me is sort of like having the tattered stuffed pink elephant is for my 2 year old. Most of the time the comfort is just knowing its there rather than anything its doing. That said, having something to reach and grab with while climbing steep stuff is nice. One star off for being silly expensive.

The whippet is a must have for any steep skiing. When the snow is hard you will be happy to have a whippet with you for both the ascent and the descents. They are a great tool when you dont want to bring a full ax with.

The whippet is a must have for any steep skiing. When the snow is hard you will be happy to have a whippet with you for both the ascent and the descents. They are a great tool when you don't want to bring a full ax with.

Can you blame climbers for wanting this to work so they can ditch the boots/crampons/axe? I got this in advance of a trip to the Cascades, for routes that may include snowfield/glaciers as well as 5.9 climbing. I'm sure they will work well enough in a low speed self arrest situation but the collapsed length will be difficult (ok, completely impractical) to climb with.

Yeah, I know every retail description of these emphasize how great these are for skiing and say zero about climbing. And yeah, I know I should have taken a closer look at the specs, esp the collapsed length. It's 97–140 cm, 38–55 inches on BD's site, but that's if you take the whole thing apart, so Backcountry's specs are a bit more realistic, since traveling with them in two pieces risks bending the lower section.I'm sure I'm not the only one who wishes this would collapse to a more manageable/packable length. I am sure I'm not the only person who wants to climb alpine routes while ditching the boots/crampons/ice axe. So I called BD & asked if this was possible. The answer is "yes, but it will def be more wobbly". I was told that it is compatible w/ the lower half of the Enduro Carbon fiber poles, (and of course not the BD poles I already own- trail compact) which will run $26 incl s/h directly from BD. I might cannibalize some of my other poles in an attempt to make this work. There are other products on the market that fit the needs of a climber, but at this point they're sold out in most places...

I'd give these 4.5 stars but since it's designed for skiing & the other 17 reviewers gave it a 5, including some genuine Powderwhores, I'll have to go w/ the flow & give it a 5.

Still haven't been able to get the pick off, but don't really need to. A friend suggested another good use for the Whippet I bought: ice safety on lakes and rivers. I ski and snowshoe out there a lot, and the river currents make the ice depth variable. In case of breaking through, it's great to know the toothed pick is there to reach out to firmer ice and help get out of a hole. No substitute for caution, but one more useful reason to take it along.

Sure, they cost more for one than most poles do for two, but they work quite well. I think they are better for preventing a fall than for stopping one. They work very well on the climb up and give a bit of comfort on a steep skin on hard snow. They are not a replacement for an ice ax on very steep climbing. When the conditions are right they are great. If the snow is not going to be hard enough that they will help, leave them at home, or take the pick off. I think the likelihood of a stabbing is small, but why take a chance if a whippet won't help anyway? They really stand up to the abuse the ski alpinism can deliver. I do wish they collapsed shorter though.

Just had my first trip with this, and will never head to the steeps with out it ever again. I was happy at how well it worked with a small ice axe while front pointing up a steep chute through the red bank on Mt. Shasta.

This is not a replacement for an ice axe on real climbs, but it is adequate for most ski tours, and is a great second tool when you find yourself on something steeper and icier then planned.

This ski pole is AWESOME! But don't be fooled, it's not a "pair", you have to buy one at a time... and for 90 bucks, it's ALMOST not worth it. These poles are durable and reliable and the self arrest handles make joeys steer clear from you at the mountain! Great for the backcountry, and a great space maker around the lifts!

You maybe know that Black Diamond sells the lower carbon fiber pole from their BD Adjustable Probe Ski Poles for $11 apiece (as of March '09). These fit into the upper part of the current (mfr'd. after fall, 2007) BD Whippets with no adapter needed. That way you'll have a pair of BD Adjustable Probe Whippets. Make sure you ask Black Diamond for the lower carbon fiber sections as a male and female pair so they will screw together to make a probe. One note of caution: When you replace the 115-140 Whippet lower aluminum section with a 115-140 Adjustable Probe Ski Pole lower section you will have a pole that is about 4" longer when you compare length at the shortest and longest adjustments. That is, the range is bumped up about 4". If this is a problem (pole becomes too long, then you can opt for the shorter 100 - 125 cm lower Adjustable Probe Ski Pole section from Black Diamond, also for $11 each. These lower sections are not sold by backcountry.com (I wish they were)--just Black Diamond mail order--but you should definitely get your Whippets from bc.com. They just knocked $10 off the price and you can't beat that, plus they're the greatest retailers anywhere.

I hope this is clear. I really got confused writing it, but I'm sure I got it right. As others have said, a dedicated primary probe should always be in your pack.

Nice steep skiing tool. Although they are a little heavier than your average pole they make up for it in peace of mind when skiing or hiking in "no-fall" zones. They are super helpful when booting up steep, firm snow on all fours. I normally will use one whippet and one regular ski pole. I only take two whippets when I am headed to the super-duper gnar.

This have an excellent guarantee

I think I've arrested myself a couple of times with my whippets while trying to skin up something that was firm and a little too steep for skinning (not like I was going to fall into the abyss but I was definitely headed for a good long slide). When you're booting up something steep, these things are the ticket -- you can charge. You know there's a good adventure on tap when the whippets come out of the garage.