To put some numbers in perspective, on average, 9 motorcyclists die every 7 days in California.
https://www.motorcycleaccidentcaselaw.com/california-statistics/There are many enthusiast forums and discussion boards covering every possible activity under the sun, some mundane, some interesting, others possibly dangerous. For example, there are countless devoted to motorcycles, with perhaps most threads focused on basic information about makes, models and rides.
For motorcyclists, most know/are aware of the stats I posted above. And I'm positive there are nags who enjoy positioning themselves as experts in order to lecture others. It's just human nature to find a venue where self esteem can be elevated at the expense of others. And the best part of being an interwebs expert? The moral authority that flows like wine by taking the side of "safety".
It's a problem with all social media platforms, and admins/mods have to walk a fine line between being overly aggressive vs unduly permissive. The permissive side can eventually morph into some users dominating discussions. It's actually a form of theft, because rather than create their own FB page or website in which to launch various lectures, they simply use someone else's property to achieve the same objective.
Secondly, even in heavy snow conditions, there are only a few places where ice axes are actually needed. (On the PCT, that would be Forester, Glen, Mather and Sonora. On Whitney, that would be the Chute/crest on the MMWT and the Gully + final 400 on the MR.) Ned Tibbits has written extensively on this topic, and is an advocate of using a whippet since it's always in your hand. What he emphasizes is how to recognize when an axe is necessary (degree of slope, length of runout, etc), and when to stow your whippet/poles and take out the axe. The other issue is how to actually use one when its required.
So, since there's only a few places where an ice axe is actually necessary, how do you prepare and/or train for the experience? This is where the 405 analogy fails - badly. If you're going to have to drive the 405, then you need to know how to actually do it. Driving surface streets isn't a substitute - that would be akin to hiking with your axe when it's not needed.
There is only one way to learn how to use an axe, and that is to actually use it. You can find bunny slopes, but if they aren't at least 20-25 degrees, you'll never get the feel for how to self-arrest, traverse or self-belay.
I apologize for using your thread to hash out some internal issues at WZ, but IMO Steve is going to have to address this sooner or later. To me, the objective of this board is to actually climb Whitney - planning, doing and reporting back. People who have experience, some in different conditions, can provide input, advice, tips and encouragement. While there are warnings and common sense recommendations eg don't hike in a T or snow storm, take the right gear for the conditions, etc, the emphasis should be on helping people interested in **doing**, not armchair lecturing.
