Ice Axe Sizing Chart

The general rule of sizing an ice axe for general or traditional mountaineering says that the spike of the axe should reach your ankle when you hold the head of the axe in your hand alongside your body.

Ice axe sizing chart. Remember that the ice axe is not a walking stick it is a tool for cutting steps in ice and saving your life during a fall. When you shop for an ice axe you ll need to know its basic components. A longer axe though can be unwieldy to use during self arrest because the spike can catch in the snow and send you and your axe flying. Axes in this category are effective for climbing steeper sections of ice and hard snow while still remaining useful on sections of less technical terrain.

The biggest difference between the two. With the flat of the handle resting against your palm the head of the ice axe should reach the middle of your ankle. The grivel air tech evolution ice axe is cheaper and lighter comes with a leash and is durable and sturdy for solid anchors on alpine ascents yet performs well on steep climbs. Avoid getting an axe longer than 70cm unless you re tall enough to measure out as needing an axe that size.

Axes used for technical ice climbing are actually called ice tools rather than ice axes. The biggest reason for the short length is dexterity at steep grades and during a self arrest. While many people use ice axe loosely to describe the tools used for both mountaineering and vertical ice mixed climbing they technically have different names. In this method of ice axe sizing you will stand up straight and allow the ice axe to hang from your hand.

Parts of an ice axe. For steep mountaineering the above is absolutely true. Ergonomic easy to manipulate ice axes that allow multiple grips and have very high anchoring qualities in ice. By drmanhattan tue dec 15 2015 10 40 am 7 replies 3074 views last post by seano fri dec.

Hybrid ice axes are more aggressive than a traditional mountaineering axe yet less technical than an ice tool. Technical mountaineering ice axes. The ice axe for many is a mountaineering symbol that evokes images of rugged glaciated peaks and above the cloud summits it s an essential safety tool for mountaineering adventures whether you use it to maintain balance or to self arrest and stop yourself from a fall. This method can be adjusted a few inches longer or shorter to compensate for personal taste.

Performance ice axes with forged head and excellent anchoring qualities adapted to the multitude of configurations of alpine terrain. However personal preference and the slopes you expect to typically encounter may shorten the length. Performance models for difficult snow ice and mixed climbs. Long ice axes will get in the way of both of these things.