My wife has Yak Trax. On the Backcountry forum there are people saying that they use Microspikes in place of crampons, worn on trailrunners, on moderate ice. I assumed that peak baggers would carry them like for instance theres snow on the final approach to the peak of Mt Whitney.
For self arrest with a ski pole You would say continue to hold the handle of the right pole in your right hand (especially because of the strap holding it there) and grab the right pole with your left hand and slide your left hand down to the basket and dig the pointed end in, using both shoulders to force it into the snow. On snow this works, and for skiers it might help swing your skis below you so you can go back to skiing. For hikers, without some way to arrest, if you fall on even moderately steep snow, you are apt to continue sliding until you hit something or go off an edge (Especially wearing nylon outer garmets). Its a good thing to know. I got rid of my self arrest pole handles because I thought they would simply come off from the force.
jim
