Here is an excellent video on the correct technique for doing a self-arrest using an ice axe. Filmed at Glenmore Lodge in northern Scotland.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ice+axe+self+arrest

The instructor in the video is demonstrating the techniques taught in professional courses and SAR teams.

It might look easy, but it really isn't. This is why we keep nagging you guys about training, training, and practice, practice. Please, don't go rent an ice-axe and crampons without training in their use. It would be like buying a hand-gun and then never learning how it fire it or practice with it.

Near the end of the video you can click on other films on crampons, etc. Need I say it again? Don't think watching instructions on a video makes you competent and safe.

Firing a handgun is much easier, in my humble opinion. I'd bet on a mountain climber shooting a gun for the first time any day vs a gang banger climbing an icy slope for the first time. The gang banger would never "self arrest."

I agree. At least in the State of California, to legally possess a handgun a certain amount of testing is required before the gun can be legally purchased. Before a CCW permit can be issued a formal course of approved training is required (but gang-bangers tend to ignore that).

Not so with ice-axes and crampons, which can be purchased/rented no-questions-asked. And then the gorm-less (ignorant) user, gang-banger or otherwise, toddles off to the big mountain prize they've been dreaming of thinking they are now well prepared.

This makes me wonder about the hiking permit process, which does not question the potential hiker about their level of experience and training. "You've never climbed a mountain before? No problem. Here yah go; enjoy Mt. Whitney!"

Found this on Instagram today, posted June 26, by jacknosco

captioned: #whateverittakes #dontknowhowtoglissade!

Looks like a snow-burn.