MOUNTAINEERING INFORMATION ARTICLES

Ice Axes - Uses and Applications

Now that we are familiar with the Parts and Features of Ice Axes as well as their Types, we then somehow synthesize them and know the Uses and Applications of Ice Axes. What is it for? How important is it for mountaineers like you? These are just few of the questions that we will be covering in this article.

More than being just an extra load in your backpack, Ice Axes can actually be used in a variety of ways. Surprised? Anyway, here are their uses:

When you walk on snowy steep ground, an Ice Axe will provide extra stability and will also help prevent slipping. It will then act as your third leg.
When you accidentally slip down a slope, you will be able to use the Ice Axes as self belay if you push the shaft down into the snow.
If the slip turns into a slide then you can use the Axes as brakes. The Axe is then held across the body and the pick pushed into the snow.
The Ice Axes can also be used to cut steps in hard snow when Crampons aren't being worn. This is particularly useful if you are just crossing a short section of snow and do not want to put your Crampons on.
To dig seats or large steps (for resting, organizing equipment, etc.), pits for checking snow profiles, or snow holes, the Axes can be used as a kind of a shovel.
When you use the Ice Axes together with a rope, then they can provide extra security on steep snow slopes to construct bucket seats, snow bollards, and buried Axes.
You can use the Ice Axes while you are climbing on ice, hard snow, frozen turf, or rock. The pick is then used for hook onto bulges or steps, swung into ice, or twisted into cracks. The Adze, head, and shaft may also be jammed or twisted into cracks.

Now that we are armed with the information on How to Use Ice Axes, we can move on into knowing the Parts and Features of Ice Axes. From there, we will proceed to a more detailed discussion of the Types of Ice Axes before jumping into Buying Ice Axes.

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