How to Use an Ice Axe

There are so many styles and sizes of ice axes that learning to use them usually requires professional instruction and several days of practice. If you haven't bought your ice axe yet, you should research the options and make sure you choose the right one for the type of climbing you plan on doing. After, it makes sense to look for hands-on workshops to help you learn how to use them properly. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Learn to Use Your Ice Axe

1. Choose the right type of ice axe. You need to use a T-rated axe for vertical ice climbing and anything that requires hanging and holding your weight. Choose a B-rated axe for any other type of terrain, including ice climbing in surfaces with inclinations of 85 degrees or less. T-rated axes are stronger but they tend to shatter the ice too much, so it's important to make sure you know the type of terrain you're climbing before deciding which axe to use.
2. Make sure your axe has a leash. This will not only prevent you from losing the axe if it slips from your hands, but it will also help you swing it if you need to reach a distant point. Leashes shouldn't be too long, as that would interfere with the climbing and can become dangerous, as the axe would probably shift too much against your body.
3. Use your axe to provide stability (as you would a walking stick) on steep or unstable terrain. Long-handle axes can simply be pressed against the ground, head down, to provide security.
4. Use your ice axe to stop a fall or a slide. If you fall, immediately try turning on your stomach and pushing the axe right into the snow to stop your body from continuing the slide. This requires practice in order to be able to resist the pull and to avoid losing your axe in the process.
5. Use your ice axe to create cracks (or hold on to existing ones) on the ice to help you climb. T-rated axes usually have a more curved end, which makes it easier to break into compact snow and hard ice.

Tips & Warnings

• Only buy an ice axe at a professional climbing or sports store. Low-quality axes can get you in a lot of trouble when climbing, as they tend to come loose, bend when used on hard ice or simply hurt your hands while holding them.