MOUNTAINEERING INFORMATION ARTICLES

Ice Axes - Parts and Features

Like any cool tools or gadgets, it simply isn't enough that you know How to Use Ice Axes. Therefore, it is also essential to know the specific Parts and Features of Ice Axes. Knowing them is essential when Buying Ice Axes.

There are five Parts of an Ice Axe, and they are discussed in detail along with their features in the bullets below.

Adze
The Adze is mainly used for chopping. It is also used in mixed climbing situations and on ice/snow slopes where a pick would slice through. Most good Axes have an adze almost perpendicular to the shaft. To fulfill the chopping function, the adze should have sharp edges.

Pick
The Pick of a more traditional Walking Ice Axes juts out 90 degrees from the shaft. Such a Pick is not suitable for ice climbing. A Pick that is classical curved and matched to the shaft length and arc of a natural swing is better suited for that purpose. The design of the Pick for ice climbing comes in a large number of variations.

Leash
Although a Leash can sometimes hinder a climber, it is really useful when you are climbing steep walls (e.g. frozen waterfalls). These will offer support to your wrists.

Shaft
Shaft length and configuration depend largely on personal climbing style, strength, size, and type of climbing. Strongest shafts are made of aluminum-alloy, fiberglass, or carbon-fiber wrapped thin-wall alloy.

Spike and Ferrule
The spike and the ferrule at the bottom of the shaft should be smooth and gradually tapered for good penetration in snow.

These are the Parts and Features of Ice Axes. It is important to familiarize ourselves with them because the knowledge of it goes hand-in-hand with knowing How to Use Ice Axes. From here, we shift our discussion to the different Types of Ices Axes.

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