The Ice axe is a vital tool for mountaineering. It’s utilized by skiers, winter hikers as well as climbers. It’s a versatile tool that has many uses, however, it is essential to understand how to use it properly.
How to Use an Ice Axe
When walking on steep slopes, Buying Your First Ice Axe can be an essential balance and safety device that assists in pulling you upwards. It can be used to stop a fall and stop a slide or to cut steps in icy snow that can be unsafe to walk on without crampons.
Depending on your personal and group’s level of skill It’s recommended to carry an ice axe in your pack before you reach challenging slopes. If you’re not experienced in mountaineering or are just beginning to climb, it is essential to receive proper instruction and to practice with fellow climbers before tackling the slopes on your own.
An ice axe has three main components: the head, the pick, and the adze. The head consists of sharp, pointed bottom end for hooking and swinging into ice; the pick is used to self-arrest, and the Adze is a large, hoe-like device used to cut hard snow or ice.
It is an excellent idea to buy an ice axe with sharp teeth, as this makes it easier to hook into ice and make self-arrest. Some ice axes have a neutral or negative pick that is made of a 90-degree taper and has teeth that go away near the cross to improve its grip on soft snow.
How to Handle an Ice Axe
A ice axe is best kept on its head with the pick pointing back towards you and your thumb resting on the head. The spike at its base should be at the level of your ankle or slightly higher (about an inch or 2.5 cm).
Holding an ice axe is fairly easy however, you’ll need to practice it until it’s second nature. This is an important skill to learn and can save your life if ever in the situation where you fall and need to employ your ice axe in order to stop a slide, or to self-arrest yourself.
Picking an Axe
When purchasing an ice axe, select one that fits well in your hands. It should be between 50cm and 65cm in length, with an axe spike that is able to reach the ankle bone, or slightly higher.
It is also important to consider your body’s weight and height when choosing an ice-axe. If you’re tall, a 65cm-70cm axe is ideal for you. shorter climbers should think about an ice axe that’s between 50cm and 60cm.
There are a variety of options for axes. You can find them in various designs and materials. For instance, axes made of aluminum are more suitable for those who prefer light climbing, while carbon fiber ice axes are known to be more durable and more robust for mountaineers.
If you’re in search of an ice axe that can be used as a trekking pole or an ice axe that is able to perform a variety mountaineering activities There’s an axe that’s suitable for all. Before you buy, make sure you review the product thoroughly.
Comments are closed.