Apologies for asking this but I've just spent 30mins searching to forum and can't find a similar thread but I feel sure its been asked before. This winter I would like to get out into the hills more and am considering whether I need an ice axe. I won't be climbing, will be wearing Kahtoola microspikes if its icy / snowy, always carry my pacer poles and would probably only go up until the snow was ankle deep (maybe calf) then either turn around or stick to that level. The above makes it sound like I don't plan my walks, I do, and would plan a walk with several early turn arounds at different altitudes in case of snow. Would an Ice axe benefit me, or, am I better with my poles. My main concern is that if I had an axe it might give me some overconfidence and I could end up walking myself into something I can't get out of. A winter skills training course is out for this year but could be on the cards for next. For reference my local walking is in the peak district and a few trips to the lakes - I'm not planning on heading up to deepest darkest Scotland (although would love a Winter trip there). Thanks, CAL.
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 Walking in the Brecon Beacons, I've a couple of times worn G10 crampons and used my Pacer Poles rather than take an ice axe. But I know the hills very well and knew that I wouldn't encounter terrain that might require an axe; indeed, crampons and poles made a perfect combination descending from Pen y Fan towards Cribyn one day. If there's any doubt, I'll take the axe and change from poles to axe when appropriate.
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 I'd say stick with your poles. I decide whether to use an axe based on an assessment of the consequences of a slip. If all that's going to happen is you'll slide a couple of yards on a gentle slope, then using your poles will most likely stop you falling in the first place. It's also worth noting that an axe without the knowledge of how to use it is of no use. I saw countless people this past winter who may as well have been carrying a banana. Good on you, by the way, for thinking about taking a winter skills course; if a full weekend course is out you could always book an instructor for just one day, which is long enough to learn the basics.
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 The sensible rule is to always take an axe if you're up the hills in snow/ice, but having said that, if I'm on hills where I absolutely know I won't slide to my doom, I usually just take poles (Pacers, as it happens) and Microspikes. I find poles much better at giving balance and an axe is less comfortable to hold. If I'm not sure of the hill, I'll always take an axe in snow because you never know what you'll come up against, but it usually stays on my pack, with poles being used in preference.
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 i'd say it does rely on knowing the hill- nice gentle path+steep slope on one side+rock hidden in ankle deep snow+trip and entanglement in poles=gruesome death 
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RIP.
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 I'm a Peak local too and very rarely use an axe - something like Kinderlow End with neve and water ice would maybe have me reaching for it, ditto a few of the steeper direct routes off the Kinder plateau where you could go an awfully long way if you slipped in the wrong snow conditions - thinking, for example, of the sheep path that head for Kinder Res directly off the side of the plateau on the stretch between the Downfall and Kinderlow End, I think I mean that... Even the top of William Clough could get messy with neve around. So I can envisage conditions where an axe might be a good idea.
It does depend on where you are and snow conditions, the Lakes is a different matter and I'd definitely suggest that if you're mountain walking in snowy conditions there, you have and axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
If you want a compromise solution, Grivel makes a trekking pole-compatible thing that replaces the top section of a standard trekking pole with a new part which incorporates and ice-axe pick in the handle - it folds away - so you can use it for self arrest if necessary.
http://www.grivel.com/products/rock/poles/8-Condor+18.16
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 I'd say stick with your poles. I decide whether to use an axe based on an assessment of the consequences of a slip. If all that's going to happen is you'll slide a couple of yards on a gentle slope, then using your poles will most likely stop you falling in the first place. It's also worth noting that an axe without the knowledge of how to use it is of no use. I saw countless people this past winter who may as well have been carrying a banana. Good on you, by the way, for thinking about taking a winter skills course; if a full weekend course is out you could always book an instructor for just one day, which is long enough to learn the basics.
Se@n it was a banana  my axe was on my back  ... . There is nothing better than knowing you have the tools of the trade to make you have a fabulous day playing in the white stuff, but like peeps have said they areof no use if you do not know how to use them. A few Omer a couple of years ago. . . tho i should have paid more attention rather than filming  .................
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Thanks. I want to make sure I'm only carrying kit that I can use. My other hobby is teaching scuba diving and quite often I see people buying kit and carrying it becuase they think they should or (even worse) because they think it will make the them ready to do much deeper diving then they have been trained to do. I don't want to be in that situation myself where I think 'what i need now is an ice axe but I have no idea what to do with it' and if that means missing out on a few good winter walks until I get some training and experience then so be it. Plus, I'm clumsy as hell out of the water so if someone is going to fall it will be me... If we get a winter like last year (fingers crossed) then when we get to the Lakes we can always stay low as we did last year. Its not as if there are no good views low down.
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theres loads you can do in the lakes where a self arrest wouldn't be necessary. just pick your routes carefully i.e nothing too steep. the west side of helvellyn for instance, could be easily climbed with poles and crampons in snowy conditions. on the east side you have to avoid the ridges , but its still doable from the south or north.
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 If you don’t really know how to use it, you have to ask why take it? I’m planning on purchasing one next time I’m home but it’s in preparation for a winter basic skill training day, as I can only manage one day at the moment. The plan is to complete the 5 day training at Glenmore lodge sometime in the new year.
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 DM - the Glenmore Lodge course is very good IME. However as a viable alternative you may want to consider OM Winter Skills 2011 - you'll find a thread under the "Walking & Climbing" section.
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Top man Sand Dancer I shall look it out later 
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If you don’t really know how to use it, you have to ask why take it?
The reason I was asking was to make sure I didn't need one for what I am comfortable doing. I didn't want to get into a situation where I bought a piece of kit, extended my walking range and then got into trouble becuase I had something I didn't know how to use. Conversely I could have recieved advice that said something like "don't worry they are handy to have and really easy to use see XXX" As it is, its apparent that neither my planned walking or skills (lack of!) will need an ice axe and if I can do winter skills course then so much the better. I am trying to balance my natural need to buy some more shiney stuff against turning up on a hill and looking like an accident waiting to happen because I have all the gear and no idea. Its something I have seen so often in other hobbies and I don't want that to be that person. ...However as a viable alternative you may want to consider OM Winter Skills 2011 - you'll find a thread under the "Walking & Climbing" section. Thanks - I'll have a look at that myself.
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