How to use an ice axe for hiking reddit. Dec 19, 2021 · How to use an ice axe to stop a fall.

How to use an ice axe for hiking reddit Jan 29, 2021 · If you’re new to winter hiking and climbing, the first thing you need to understand is the difference between a regular, or basic ice axe, and a technical ice axe. What resources/ courses would you recommend? I bought a couple of Petzl sum'tec ice axes and build a new head made for snow, for self arresting. Trekking poles are great for providing stability on slippery terrain, they are not a substitute for an ice axe and do not work for self arrest. Some are applicable to hikers, some are not. Disassembled shovel and probe go in the stretch mesh front shove-it pocket. And at Trail Camp I had to dig a hole in the ice with my ice axe to access the water under the ice. It is lighter, collapses smaller, the basket is helpful in the snow, and it skis pretty well too. It's much harder to traverse in snow/ice conditions than just walking on a trail. 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. But it’s hard to suggest an axe without knowing what your using it for. I switched to using a Petzl Gulley (45cm) and love it Ice Axe: BD Raven We live in the NYC area, so the gear could also be used for winter hiking in the Adirondacks / Catskills when not on longer expeditions (though if I were just getting gear for that I would certainly not get as advanced as items). I would go with the lightest and shortest ice axe you can find, as you are not going to need it much hiking the whites in winter. The only real requirement is that you need an axe with which you can perform self-arrest maneuvers. The class is much more advanced than REI, and when you finish the WTC ice axe class, you can go on free trips throughout the year to practice your skills. Ice ax length depends as much on steepness of terrain as on height, the steeper the terrain the shorter the ax. I would recommend bringing both. 😁 Unless you start late and hike fast, you should not plan to hike the CDT without an ice axe and the practice using it. If you're using it to arrest you should really have a helmet on because an adze to the forehead is pretty ugly. You need to stick the ice axe into the snow to do that while hiking, and you shouldn't be doing that with an ice climbing axe's handle. But a copy of freedom of the hills and then go with a guide, it’ll help cement everything your learning. Hi, I'm planning a hike for the top of Mount Toubkal in May - and have some doubts in regard to footwear. In his videos he is rocking crampons as of late so the ice/conditions are very real. If you find yourself needing crampons, you probably need an ice axe too. What makes Adams hard is the length and the fact that it’s the highest of the 3. They will get chewed up using them this way too much, but might be worth using an old axe for the dirt duty. Happy to help! We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. It was also a straight shaft, which makes the dagger positions really awkward. People absolutely get away with it - but it doesn't mean that those choices are smart or responsible. Nov 12, 2019 · The Ice Axe is among the most adaptable of all a mountaineer’s tools. They’re much shorter than a regular ice axe, tend to have picks that are oriented at a much more acute • Water access (without melting) is tight. Weather was good and mild. That being said, I would like to hear what other members of reddit think about this. Apr 10, 2019 · Gaiters, crampons and an ice axe are the three most often used items of winter hiking gear. Probably get training in self arresting with an ice axe if OP decided to hit the peaks. It will work better "The TiCa Ice Tool is not a replacement for a UIAA-certified ice axe on technical terrain and should not be used where life or safety is at risk. As others have said, your ice axe is for self arrest and not a walking stick. Use or crampons would also come with the need for an ice axe, as well as self arrest skills. The CAMP Corsa in one of the lightest certified ice axes on the market, but it is also probably the worst certified ice axe on the market. Not trying to minimize the importance of self-arresting though. I have seen there is a wide variety of ice axes, mainly I assume I am interested in a more general purpose one such as the Petzl Summit or the BD Raven Grip. Honestly though, if you just bought an ice axe and don't have crampons yet (let alone know how to properly use both on technical terrain), you have no business attempting that mountain with winter conditions still present. Learn crevasse rescue and how to properly use an ice axe and crampons. You can arrange a carpool out of South Orange County, and you'll spend a night or two in an alpine location. Bring an ice axe either way, chuck both your spikes and crampons into your car, and check WTA for trip reports as your date approaches. ) Lastly check the Mt Washington avalanche center website to get the most up to date conditions. Normally I just hike _anywhere_ in my trail runners (lone peak 3. I'm interested in using it, for more shallow objectives in non-glaciated terrain (Avalanche Gulch or Clear Creek on Shasta, South Spur on Adams) where I wouldn't be roped up, in place of an ice axe. Posted by u/juzam - 12 votes and 19 comments I brought crampons, but not an ice axe. I’m sure they’re great for ski mountaineering I've understood the Whippet to be targeted toward preventing a slip turning into a fall in a steep snow environment/skimo. Learn to use an ice axe properly, then practice using it until its muscle memory. If you haven't used crampons before, there's more of a learning/safety curve (avoiding lacerating yourself etc!). Probably should have had an Ice Axe, but even without that, seems like you need to get some training and a lot of practice on self arresting. If you carry a long walking axe, you may find that you use trekking poles less -- and vice versa with the shirt tech axe. They require a specific boot and fit, and come in many varieties. With this sled it will protect your butt and allow you to use an ice axe to control your speed. Petzl makes real axes that are quite light AND you can trust. See full list on rei. For this task, my go to ice axe is the Petzl Glacier Literide. However, I found the shaft too long for use in the cane position on steeper slopes once I started getting on them. Personally of all the fancy axes I have this is the one I grab most often and carry for just in case situations. The second purpose of an ice axe is as a balance aid. And when you say you used your friend’s ice axe, was it a straight-shafted axe or a hybrid or an ice tool? I can see how you might think it’s short if you used it for hiking and climbing support. Since your posting in ultralight/backpacking subs, I assume it will not be for extended use or on overly technical terrain, just for self-arresting on short stretches of moderately angled snow and potentially controlling a glissade. Gaiters prevent snow from entering your boots while crampons provide you with traction on icy surfaces. They would be perfect for your intended use. But some people get complacent keeping an ice axe in hand, and an axe won’t do you any good strapped to you’re backpack. It is in no shape or form a backpacking jacket, even for winter. That may include things like how to self-arrest with an ice-axe, how to approach varying snow conditions (melting, firm), etc. • Exhaustion is a concern. You won't have time to grab it. 3 pairs of gloves, head torch (plus spare), emergency shelter, first aid kit, sunglasses or ski goggles, probably a buff or balaclava too, more layers. Plus, if you want to use it as a trowel it works pretty good. Beyond that, it's really just individual preference. Had a great time using microspikes on May 12 last year. Fingers are not an effective tool for that. As such, don’t fall into the trap of getting a “cane”. Micro spikes or traction that fits on any boot is one thing, but crampon are a bit step up in the difficulty of the terrain. 6oz for 50cm length). Shit is treacherous. Learn the knots. Either kind of axe is fine -- both types will get you started just as well. So i have one axe for everything. This isn’t meant to be a comprehensive review of individual ice axes or technique. micro spikes and ice axe. Obviously entirely up to the route and conditions. Too many people buy 50cm axes and don't understand how big of a mistake they've made. I’ve heard they aren’t as good as regular ice axes for self arrest. It's called an ice axe arrest, which isn’t something police officers do when someone heads out without knowing how to use an Ice axe (sized correctly), B1/B2 Boots and Crampons that fit them, decide based on the things you're going to be doing which are most suitable. If you don't know how to use crucial safety equipment in any situation, the answer should never be don't use the equipment. i have less experience (~40 adk peaks in winter conditions) than him but have never used or felt the need to use an ice axe. r/socalhiking A chip A close button. Icy conditions are your worst enemy as it is too easy to lose control and go too fast if you don’t have 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. Neither shovel nor axe tore the shove-it panel. Crampons are in a crampon bag in the main compartment. Learn to travel on a roped team. An ice axe can provide extra security and stability when traveling on snow-covered or icy terrain. Could also put on some hockey pants to cushion your butt. Saw no running water access between Lone Pine Lake area and Trail Camp. The primary use of an ice axe is protection against a fall, secondary is self arresting. Posted by u/Lovedawgs_hatekids - 2 votes and 16 comments Honestly, smart to maybe skip this part of the trail. Most resources for ice axes focus on general mountaineering. Get an ice axe that goes to around the bottom of your Thankfully, I knew how to use my ice axe and self arrest properly, I stopped and looked behind me to my hiking partner and he was in the same position. That’s why many more advanced climbers prefer shorter axes - they just don’t need the ax until things are quite steep, they’re fine with ski poles or nothing until then, and on that steep terrain a shorter ax will be better for swinging or dagger position or other things than and i am with LFV on the subject of ice axes. It was perfect when I was self belaying on 30-35 degree slopes. Something like a BD Ultra Ice Axe would be a good choice. The whippet takes the place of the long axe, but is lighter and more useful and comfortable in general. You're hiking the CDT - the cream of the crop, as far as skill-challenges go. I just used an Osprey Aether Plus 70 this weekend on a 3 day, 2 night trip. when glissading down (thrilling, terrifying, more dangerous, cuts a HUGE amount of time/energy from the Even if there's not enough snow or the conditions for there to be an avalanche risk, walking where there's snow/ice still presents an extra hazard and I'd still be carrying my axe and crampons. It can be used to self-arrest, which means using the axe to stop oneself from sliding down a steep slope. I'm interested in learning safety related skills on how to traverse snow-covered mountains with thru-hiker gear, ie. 3 miles Please remember to post a short paragraph as a comment in the post explaining your photo or link. Probably because a long summit day above 23,000ft, some combination of altitude, exhaustion, whatever, I slipped on hidden band of ice and started sliding down the We used hiking poles but next time I do something like this, I want to rent an ice axe and get some instruction for it. Ideally at least 150 characters with trip details. Once attached, flip them upward to connect them using this quick attachment point. However, it's essential to have the proper training and experience to use an ice axe safely. Certainly not an ice climbing axe, but it can get you up some moderate ice in a pinch. One thing to keep in mind is that your ice axe will most likely be on your backpack more than your hand. An ice axe allows you to arrest your fall in case you slip. What you want is some cheap fullzip rain pants and look up yellow butt sled. Ice axes work for mud and dirt too. They also work well when there are downed trees (secure) and branches on steep slopes. Ideally, you never have to arrest, but you likely will want protection on the steeper slopes. You get moving so fast. I’ve got two, a personal one and one for SAR, and they are incredibly thick/heavy/not packable. It’s just a basic rundown of features and what to look for if you’re new to snow travel and thinking of purchasing an ice axe for UL hiking. Elbows and toes or fists and toes (fists tight up against your armpits/chest), butt up in the air, is the best form for self arrest without an axe. Does anyone have recommendations of a place to rent ice axes and… I rarely use ropes and stuff, but have done some straight up ice climbing--used a curved pair of specialty ice climbing axes, ice anchors, a moving belay climb. Ice axe in one of the ice axe loops. In almost all conditions a trekking pole is better. Technical ice axes are used almost exclusively for climbing high angle ice. It is small, handy, and light weight, but is burly It is super important that you buy an ice axe that is the proper length. With that being said, take a basic mountaineering course. Dec 19, 2021 · How to use an ice axe to stop a fall. If you need an ice axe, you want it in your hand beforehand, not strapped to your pack. This subreddit is temporarily private as part of a joint protest to Reddit's recent API changes, which breaks third-party apps and moderation tools, effectively forcing users to use the official Reddit app. Any advice? Which passes should we be most concerned about? We usually do a week long through hike once a year, but have limited experience hiking in the snow (we know the basics. A number of years ago I switched from a longer axe (older BD Raven) to a short axe (Petzl Summit Evo) and a BD Whippet (trekking pole with an ice axe head). Whitney on June 22nd and there’s obviously going to be a lot of snow. (edit: never used an ice axe on trail in the adks. There is quite a lot else to do with an ice axe. Gentle reminder that buying an ice axe and strapping it to your pack for appearances isn't enough. We had been planning to bring our ice axes and micro spikes. Posted by u/[Deleted Account] - 17 votes and 21 comments Open menu Open navigation Go to Reddit Home. The Camp Corsa Nano Tech ice axe is incredibly light (I measured 246g/8. With the recent heat wave, I am thinking of leaving the axes at home. Maybe 0. There are a lot of ultralight ice axes on the market. Can You Use An Ice Axe For Winter Hiking? Winter hiking can be an exhilarating experience, especially when equipped with the right tools. You might like the hammer if you tour vocanoes like Mt. Hiking poles just aren't the right tool for the job, which I became acutely aware of during the steeper parts and esp. 5 & 4 + 4 RSM mids), but I can read elsewhere that some people recommend using cramp-ons (and bringing ice-axe) for that time of year - which sounds a bit over the top in my ears. I use them for backcountry skiing, but I also use them for glacier travel in some situations - one smaller more technical axe packed for the steep, and one whippet for the long walks. For your height, 50-60 cm is the recommended ice axe length. 01% of the time I'm using mine is for self arrest if even that much. It’s a great jacket for Ice climbing and mountaineering, I use it all the time ice climbing and I’ve taken it up Rainier (Overkill) and Aconcagua. An ice axe can be used for self-arresting, but that's not its main purpose. I even will use an ice axe in one hand, and a pole in the other on summer mountaineering trips. I took the gondola up the mountain from the Teton Village ski resort, but I actually would not recommend this route at that time of the year because the route down the north side of the mountain had a considerable amount of snow drifts to pass over. . com 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. Alpha SV is overkill. Of the times I’ve needed to use my ice axe I’ve been grateful for it 100% of the time. From the parking lot to Lunch Counter you “only” climb 3800’ over 4. Sleeping bag in sleeping bag compartment. In this video, we w Helens, Muir, and Adams form an interesting trifecta, but if you can do 1 you can do the other 2. It has a steel pick and spike. The tip of an ice axe can sink into and hold wood surprisingly well. So they justify whippets by saying they are more likely to have it in hand during the approach etc. Most routes involve a lot more trekking where ski poles are handy and you only need an ice axe when the terrain gets steeper. " If I'm using an ice ax, it's because I'm in terrain where life or safety is at risk, otherwise I'd just be sticking with my poles. Wait until summer. i have used an axe elsewhere and can see the utility in slide climbing) I’m 6ft, my first axe was 68cm. Get app Get the Reddit app Log In Log in to Reddit. Generally i'd say because of a mix of conditions, being well traveled glaciers, snow conditions (this year is particularly dry, already almost only ice on the glacier or very shallow snow layer) and other alternatives, being placing an ice axe in a t-slot and the other anchor being a crampon with a sling, a bottle, a backpack or an ice screw if Use the loops at the bottom to drop your axes or hiking poles, so they hang down. Get a non-technical ice axe. And before you use crampons in the steeps you need to familiarize yourself with self arrest techniques and carry an ice axe. A subreddit dedicated to the ancient art of blacksmithing. Rainier, with crevasses and stuff, or need ropes. I would take crampons and micro spikes and see what works. Still bring your poles. Be up to the challenge - get an ice axe, and Once you finish the REI class, please do take the WTC ice axe course. This is to say that I will be using an ice axe for both climbing steep slopes and as a hiking pole. Show off your latest creations or get advice on a problem. Enough to keep from slipping. Should create an easy attachment that you can remove or adjust later in your hike, using the poles or axes quickly, if necessary. Compared to today's, wood is heavier, the shaft is weaker to sideloading on ice axe shaft belay (breaking shafts lead to adaption of aluminum ice axe shafts), the pick may be longer (better for ice ax arrest in wet snow), the wood shaft is better at vibration dampening, the pick shape and thickness are worse for technical use, and the shaft is Team was unroped, we had all put away our ice axes and were about 50m from the spot where we would swap out our mountaineering boots for hiking boots for the last few miles to camp. If you're a begginer and just going to do some laps on snow, there's no need for an ixe axe. The overall grade isn’t actually the bad except for the Lunch Counter to Pike’s Peak. I am starting from Cottonwood Lakes. Hiking to the Steeps It would be pretty brutal to try to hike up to the bowl in ski boots, even ski boots with walk mode aren't a good plan. I prefer crampons to micro spikes (and I plan on starting early), so went with the Kahtoola KTS Crampons (682g/24oz) - with the anti ball plates (which are pretty flimsy looking, so may not last very long). I’m hiking Mt. wadoj xeyyq bakrdk qpr yawvsh ouhc yicxd vbkg fkkik qqeljoq