How to use an ice axe for hiking. Feb 25, 2016 · How to choose an ice axe.

How to use an ice axe for hiking. Follow me on Instagram @radishuprooted Want to get into mountaineering, winter backpacking, or thru hike the Pacific Crest Trail or Continental Divide Trail? Then you’ll need to know how to use Jan 29, 2021 · An ice axe is an essential safety tool for winter hiking and climbing. It can be used for self-arrest, to build anchors, or even as a walking stick in snow. Everything from simple glissading techniques and tips to get down a mountain while climbing or backpacking with ice axes and trekking poles. Ice Axes serve two main functions: to keep you from falling, using "self belay" techniques, and to stop your fall from shooting you down the slope by using " Dec 19, 2021 · How to use an ice axe to stop a fall. Here are general guidelines for when to use an ice axe: Use an ice axe if there is snow on the ground. Nov 10, 2022 · An ice axe is a versatile tool that every mountaineer should have in their kit. The ice axe is probably the most useful and important tool in our winter arsenal. Most climbers use an ice axe and most backpackers use poles to maintain control. I took my first mountaineering course with IME (International Mountain Equipment) a “while ago” and I’ve used it ever since. While hiking, an ice axe is held at the head (with the pick pointing to the rear) and used like a trekking pole. Choose the right size of an ice axe. A good ice axe can serve many purposes, though it’s most important is widely considered the “self-arrest” used to stop a slide or fall. Many outdoor organizations, guide services, and alpine clubs offer courses in basic mountaineering skills, including ice axe use. When to use an ice axe. Think of it like sledding on your butt without the sled. It's also the central piece of gear in REI's origin story: Our founders, Lloyd and Mary Anderson, formed the co-op after struggling to find a quality ice axe anywhere in the U. An ice axe for hiking on snowy slopes becomes an essential tool the moment you step onto terrain— snow where a simple slip could turn into an uncontrolled slide. Here are some tips for using an ice axe for hiking: 1. outsidetelevision. Self-arrest techniques in particular require practiced skill and cannot be adequately learned from written descriptions or videos alone. Nov 12, 2019 · The Ice Axe is among the most adaptable of all a mountaineer’s tools. OUTSIDE TELEVISION - http://www. com/SUBSCRI Oct 18, 2020 · How to mountain glissade safely. The best way to learn how to use an ice axe for winter hiking and mountaineering is to take a class with one of the mountain guiding services in North Conway (NH). For example, if you are into steep mountaineering, a long walking axe is not the best idea. In case you should slip on icy surface, you lean on the pick and brake. Protect the point Cover the spike to prevent punctures; use the axe guard, or an old sock and rubber band. When to use an ice axe: Icy terrain; What is an ice axe? An ice axe is a multi-purpose tool which among other things can be used for arresting a fall. Here, their expert Giles Trussell explains the ins and outs of ice axes and how to use them. It might be tempting to just pick out the most rugged-looking axe you can find (check out our guide to the best ice axes you can buy) but knowing how to choose an ice axe is important to make sure you end up with the right type – and length – for your Colorado Mountain School's Rainbow Weinstock shows Nick Heil how to use an ice axe and crampons. Dec 25, 2024 · Choosing an ice axe. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright 3 days ago · The Ice Axe: Your Lifeline on Snow. How to Use an Ice Axe for Hiking? When using an ice axe for hiking, it is important to practice caution and follow certain tips to stay safe. There are essentially three types of ice axe: walking axe, mountaineering axe and technical climbing axe. Your choice of either a Type 1 or 2 axe should reflect its intended activities, and whilst a technical Type 2 climbing axe might be ok (albeit uncomfortable) to use in a hillwalking scenario, a Type 1 axe would not be sufficient for hard mixed climbing and could be dangerous. Jun 5, 2024 · For any mountaineer, the ice axe is an iconic and indispensable tool. To choose an ice axe, you will first need a clear idea of what terrain you will mostly be on. May 25, 2022 · The Mountaineers, one of the most prominent alpine clubs globally, described an ice axe as “a multi-purpose hiking and climbing tool used by mountaineers in both the ascent and descent of routes that involve snow, ice, or frozen conditions”. Here are some tips on how to use an ice axe. Walking axe Jan 30, 2024 · Learn How to Use an Ice Axe. It's called an ice axe arrest, which isn’t something police officers do when someone heads out without knowing how to use an Mar 14, 2023 · Tips to Use an Ice Axe for Hiking. It has a storied place in the history of mountaineering, whether you’re planning your first high-altitude expedition or adding to your existing gear, selecting the right ice axe is a critical decision that can impact your safety and performance in challenging environments. Crampons: Which One Do You Need For Your Adventure? How To Use Your Ice Axe For Self-Arrest On Steep Terrain; Ice Axe Maintenance: How To Keep Your Gear In Jan 25, 2008 · Maintain it Ward off rust by wiping off the head after use and applying a thin film of WD40. The first two are most useful for the hillwalker. “Though many see the use of an ice axe as being more closely connected with climbing steep slopes or ice, even a relatively low angle snow slope can result in long falls Selecting a suitable ice axe is essential, as a well-matched axe can substantially improve performance and safety on snow and ice, while a poorly chosen one can hinder progress and increase the risk of accidents. May 15, 2025 · Yes, proper training is essential for safe and effective use of an ice axe. Try several in the hand if possible: the head and grip of some are more comfortable to hold than others. When choosing an ice axe, ponder the type of terrain you'll be traversing, the steepness of the slopes, and the weight and balance of Feb 25, 2016 · How to choose an ice axe. Then flip and Jan 14, 2022 · If you’re hiking or mountaineering at high altitude, your outdoor kit will probably include items like crampons and even an ice axe. Below is an image of a typical ice axe. Its primary functions are for balance, security, and most critically, performing a self-arrest. An ice axe is a multi-purpose tool that consists of a shaft and a head with a pick and an adze attached. May 2, 2025 · “Ultimately, if snow conditions are firm enough that if a slip occurs it can turn into a slide, then we should be prepared to arrest that fall with an ice axe,” he says. May 15, 2020 · This video provides an in-depth look at ice axes, covering the parts of an axe, the use of different types of axes, when to use a tether, how to hold the axe Ice Axe Reviews: The Pros And Cons Of The Most Popular Brands; What To Pack For An Ice Climbing Trip: The Ultimate Checklist; The Best Ice Axes For Technical Climbing In 2023; Ice Axe Vs. With proper instruction, it is easy to learn the basics and serves as a foundation for all subsequent winter hiking and mountaineering skills. S. The unpredictable nature of mountain weather necessitates carrying an ice axe even if technical climbing isn’t on the agenda. Oct 11, 2016 · Do you know how to stop yourself sliding on snow by using an ice-axe self-arrest? This is an essential skill when walking and climbing in the winter mountain. An ice axe is an essential tool for mountaineering. Learn when and how to use it to stay in balance and self-arrest when you fall. Attach it to your pack First, slide the shaft down through the axe loops (with the pick pointed inward toward the pack’s center). In this video, we cover the basics of self belay for winter travel, talking about the different ways to use an ice axe in combination with our feet, depending upon Apr 10, 2019 · Ice Axe. It is commonly taken hiking and mountaineering, Oct 14, 2023 · Home / Skills / Miscellaneous / Winter skills: How to use an ice axe Winter skills: How to use an ice axe We teamed up with Glenmore Lodge, Scotland's National Outdoor Training Centre, to help prepare you for a winter in the mountains. Of all the tools a mountaineer carries, the ice axe is perhaps the most iconic. Snow can be surprisingly slippery, even if it is not packed or icy. Knowing how to use an ice axe to stop a fall is an absolutely essential skill and you shouldn't head out into the winter environment with an ice axe if you do not know how to do it. How to Use an Ice Axe for Mountaineering An ice axe is an essential tool for mountaineering. Apr 12, 2021 · Ice Axes serve two main functions: to keep you from falling, using "self belay" techniques, and to stop your fall from shooting you down the slope by using "self arrest" techniques. Jan 17, 2025 · Find out what an ice axe is for, how to perform and basic ice axe arrest and how to carry an ice axe safely with our expert guide. pikjzcu hqoal cqayn acjfo sgsgsah gihhq bqzga arfu yciop splm