Originally Posted By: wbtravis
If you have fangs on your feet, you should have an axe in your uphill hand.

I don't agree with that as it's too simplistic. There are many instances where the grade is such that you need crampons to avoid slipping, but a fall is unlikely to result in injury. Under these circumstances, poles do a much better job of maintaining your balance than an ice axe, and the whole point is to avoid falling.