Jimshaw says:"I am used to holding my iceaxe in my right hand and grabbing the shaft with my left, so I do not want to complicate this automatic move."

Jim: you need to always carry axe in your uphill hand. It's the most elemental & rudimentary bit of information there is about using an ice axe.

I know you do a great deal of climbing and have done so for many years. So please, please take my advice if you come to Antarctica again. My SAR unit is too busy as it is what with the spate of diarrhea cases (bring your water filter).