If you travel in the mountains and occasionally need to traverse/ascend snow slopes Black Diamond makes a Whippet flip lock pole that has a steel, removable ice axe head. It is a little pricey but well worth it when carrying a regular ice axe is not necessary.
mike r
I'm looking into their whippet for an upcoming go at the Sierra High Route- looks like exactly what I'm looking for; can see it being pretty useful for got/sheep hunting too (not that I would ever actually draw a tag :D)
