Mountaineers who climb snow-covered peaks or climb steep slopes covered in ice will require an ice blade. It can be used to test terrain, climb steep slopes, and even stop falling from sliding downhill (self-arrest).
Ice Axe Design: Types Of Ice Axe
Axes are typically constructed of metal or wood. The shaft can be shaped to allow clearance on slopes that are steep. It could also feature a spike at one end to help the user stand up or a sharp adze which assists in digging steps into hard snow.
The handle is about one foot long. It can be shorter or longer depending on the sport and way of climbing. Climbers scaling the sheer ice wall or frozen waterfall often prefer a shorter-handled ice axe, while climbers who plan to hike and spend more time upright are likely to opt for a larger ice blade.
When using an Buying Your First Ice Axe it is important to understand how to properly use the pick of the ice axe in order to stop a fall. This requires practice and could be risky if not done correctly.
If you slip or fall down a slope, grab your ice axe head with your uphill hand and hold the bottom of the shaft using your downhill hand. Bring the axe’s head to your chest to push the axe into the snow. Then, turn your body until your head is upslope and your feet are downslope. To stop the fall and avoid injury to avoid injury, pull the ice-axe shaft with your eyes downwards.
You should practice driving the axepick through soft snow, and using your body weight to push it down as deep as possible. If you don’t bury the pick deeply enough, it will continue to slide down the snow.
Practise this technique with the ice axe in a secure environment. This will help you become more confident with the technique , and enable you to do it again in the wild.
It is also advisable to practice using the axe at various angles, like facing toward a high wall of ice or down a waterfall, as this will help you learn to use the adze and the pick on all surfaces.
Axe Swing is the most difficult part when using an ice axe. However, it is essential to learn in order to climb safely and efficiently. Once you’re proficient with the axe swing, it is time to enhance your technique using the ice the axe.
If you’re a beginner try this out with the axe at different angles, like in the front of a cliff behind a boulder or in the front of a rock. Once you have positioned your body and axe to the right direction and you are able to self-arrest with ease.
Be sure to pick an ice axe that’s the correct size for your hands before you pick one. The majority of general mountaineering ice axes have a positive curve. This is a sign of a slight downward arching curve that permits climbing steep ice or snow with great safety and security.
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