Black Diamond Traverse WR 2 Pole

The Whippet-less Whippet! It is often said that the best pieces of gear are the ones that can disappear while using them. That doesn’t mean you should be chucking your poles off ridges and peaks in the hopes that they’ll work better. The statement really means that if a piece of gear is engineered well, you shouldn’t ever have to take the time to think about it in the field; the operation should be so smooth that it becomes an extension of your body. That was a long and convoluted way to say that the all-aluminum Black Diamond Traverse WR 2 pole is well engineered, extremely low drama, and will get the job done. If your future ski plans include meadow-skipping on low-angle glades just above sea level, executing tight jump-turns on Denali with the Whippet Attachment, or just don’t want to waste mental effort on poles, then this is the ski pole for you.

• Whippet Ready (WR) allows seamless integration of the Whippet Attachment.
• 18mm upper and 16mm lower increase stiffness and reduce swing weight, respectively.
• FlickLock adjustment system is simple, solid, and light.
• 100mm powder baskets are great for flipping risers and flotation in deep snow.

* Please note this version of the pole is a two-piece, whereas the version shipped as "The Whippet" is a three-piece.

Update 2019/20: New FlickLock Pro section connectors are lighter with an easier-to-use design. BD also added indexed baskets, meaning they put a tab on the basket which fits into a groove on the base of the pole, preventing the basket from spinning.

Update 2021/22: Adjusting the length will now be done the with FlickLock system (different from the Pro) and a rubber grip has been added to the pole upper.