This review is for the expedition style snow picket made by Yates. I bought this thing for 30 bucks at Feathered Friends (my local gear shop in Seattle). Originally I was planning on buying an MSR snow picket but they were all out and the Yates was all they had left. I am really happy with it and even though it's a bit more expensive than comparable products from SMC or MSR, I think it's definitely worth the extra money. Overall a light, durable, and well manufactured piece of equipment.I have used this picket on two ascents of Mt. Rainier. Luckily, I haven't had to use it in a crevasse rescue situation yet, but I have practiced building anchors with it and we did use it for a running belay. The picket holds firm when placed properly and seems bomber when buried in a deadman configuration. It is unique in the fact that it is a V-shape, while most competitors use an I shape. My friends have I shaped pickets and messing around with them it didn't seem that either shape had an inherently better hold. The biggest factor is how well the anchor is placed and the snow conditions.
One advantage that you get with the Yates is the reinforced steel strike plate on the end. This plate is dope because you can hammer your picket with an ice axe without damaging it. The plate absorbs much of the impact and prevents scratching on the aluminum body. The body has many holes which is nice because you have more options for clipping your gear into and it reduces weight. The other end is fairly well pointed so penetrating firm snow or ice is no problem.
The foremost function of a picket is to make an anchor that can hold one or more humans in the event of a fall. I think any picket on the market will do just that. The only reason I recommend the Yates over others is because of the extra features and the fact that it's a few ounces lighter. Plus the factory red color scheme will stand out from the sea of boring silver pickets.
- Price: $30.00 (US)
- Length: 22 inches
- Weight: 12 oz
- V-shaped aluminum body
- Stainless steel strike plate