Yep, after mountain goat hunting here last week in the snow and ice I'm swapping to a 90 cm ice axe instead of trekking poles. Similar concept to the cane as far as weight transfer and stability goes, but with more tools in one piece of equipment which is always a plus in my book. After a couple trekking poles break while carrying 100+ loads on mountain sides as very unopportune times I am ready to swap to something a little more substantial. Also the ability to self arrest in the snow is much easier when sliding down the snow fields with a load of camp and goat meat on your back with an ice axe vs. a trekking pole. And if I break an ice axe I have better fish to fry.
So the 90 cm ice axe is on Alaska Lanche's wish list to santa this year.
