This ensures that the ax is already well positioned for a self-arrest maneuver. Always carry the ax with the adze facing forward and the pick facing backward.Also, the way you position your body while climbing can dictate which hand is uphill at any time. During a climb, the uphill side of a route can often reverse simply due to topographical changes. Always carry the ax in the uphill hand, and switch hands whenever the terrain changes.With the ax held properly, climbers must follow two main rules: A leash can be used to secure the ax to either your wrist or harness, and will prevent you from losing your ax if it’s dropped.
The ax is held with palm directly across the head and thumb under the adze. While ascending or descending, hold the ax with the shaft pointed at the ground, spearing it into the snow with every step. Self-arrest-the act of stopping an unexpected fall down a steep slope without the aid of ropes or other climbers-is an act that all mountaineers should be prepared for. While technical axes are shorter, have a curved shaft, and are primarily used on vertical ice climbing routes, general axes are longer, straighter, and predominantly used as self-arrest devices on mountaineering routes. There are two main types of ice axes: technical climbing axes and general mountaineering axes. The adze is broad and flat, while the sharp pick on the opposite end is used to pierce snow and ice. The head (usually steel) has two main parts: the pick and the adze. The shaft, which is typically constructed of lightweight metal, is the longer part of the ax that often has a triangular spike at the bottom. Ice axes are made up of two main components: the head and the shaft. When exploring peaks like Maine’s Katahdin or New Hampshire’s Mount Washington in winter, using an ice ax-along with crampons-is not only recommended, it’s a necessity.
The ice ax is an essential mountaineering tool- arguably the essential tool-when climbing large, glaciated peaks or when ascending steep routes on any mountain in the winter. ShutterstockA mountaineer practices the valuable, lifesaving skill of self arrest.
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