No extensive personal experience although a friend of mine has one and I have checked it out. I've never been to Mt. Adams. I don't know what conditions you're facing. I don't even claim to be an expert mountaineer.

But I'll give you my opinion anyway <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If I'm in a situation where I may need an axe, I'm going to bring an axe. Nor do I bring my traction device when I may need full crampons. I'll gladly pay a weight/bulk penalty when my safety is involved.

Also....Correct me if I'm wrong but the Whippet's pick faces forward as you walk whereas a properly held axe's pick faces rearward. This seems awkward to me. Not only is the Whippet a different tool but it also requires a different technique. Techniques must be practiced to be effective, especially when your safety is involved.

I would not feel confident laying my body weight across a hiking pole in an arrest, versus a real ice axe. And that's assuming I could quickly even get my body weight over the Whippet's pole.

You're probably looking at this thing because you may need protection in a fall. So which would you rather have if you actually fell? A Whippet or an ice axe? Maybe you don't plan to be on any high angle slopes. But as the saying goes, "hope for the best but plan for the worst".

I guess there is one argument in favor of the Whippet....It's better than plain hiking poles or nothing at all.