How to determine what length ice axe you need. The length of the axe you need depends on you height and activity.

How Do I Know What Size Ice Axe I Should Get The Great Outdoors Stack Exchange

If you have ever gone out with a really short axe you know that its easy to pack and deal with and works fine for steep routes and in firm snow where the axe doesnt need to plunge that deep for self-belays.

What length ice axe do i need. Felling axes are usually around 32 or 36 inches in length and 3 or more pounds in weight. Axes under 60cm are sometimes called technical ice tools because they are used more for steep technical ice climbing. Broadly speaking the taller you are the longer your ice axe should be.

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. In general technical ice tools are only available in one length which can vary by brandmodel but is typically around 50 cm. When holding it with your arm straight and pointed downwards the spike should be level with your ankle.

However beware of going too long as it may become unwieldy particularly when self arresting. If you are taller than 58 then try a 60-75cm ice axe. These axes are made for felling large trees and splitting big logs and rounds of wood.

What Length Mountaineering Axe Should I Get. Theres no real wrong axe length. What size ice ax do i need Mountaineering ice axes serve a few simple functions.

But today most people use trekking poles on the trail and want their ice axe to be short and. A rough guide to ice axe length is. Ice ax length depends as much on steepness of terrain as on height the steeper the terrain the shorter the ax.

I am 62 tall with long legs and my favorite axe is 80cm. The ice axe should barely skim the ground. Steep to Vertical Terrain.

How long should an ice axe be. The length of the traditional mountaineering ice axe is about the number of centimeters from the climbers fingertips to the floor when he or she is standing in boots on a level surface. Too short is generally better than too long.

If you are shorter than 55 ft. You need an ice axe that is not longer than 24 in. Generally hybrid axes are sized between 50-59cm with a preference toward being too short rather than too long.

You need an ice axe that is not shorter than 27 in. But mountaineering ice axes are available in several lengths usually from 55 to 75 cm normally sold in 5 cm increments. Here are the basics that you need to know to clean and disinfect your PPE whether an amateur outdoor sports enthusiast or a professional managing a fleet of outdoor PPE.

Axes less than 60cm are generally for technical ice climbing and are best used for very steep or vertical slopes. It is possible that two people of the same overall height might need different length axes due to the length of their arms. Mauls can be even larger and go up to 40 inches in length and weigh up to 7 pounds.

For soft snow and lower angle ice a longer axe would work better. Also consider that you should always be holding your walking axe in the uphill hand. Some one will advise You should have a modern shorter axe.

Measure by height Mountaineering axes are measured in centimeters and are available in sizes ranging from 50 cm to 75 cm. However personal preference and the slopes you expect to typically encounter may shorten the length. Ice axes used to be very longI can remember using an ice axe as a walking stick when out hiking.

For general mountaineering a 70cm ax is the best choice for the majority of climbers. According to Mountaineering The Freedom of the Hills. Thats why many more advanced climbers prefer shorter axes - they just dont need the ax until things are quite steep theyre 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.

Going shorter by up to 10cm is OK if you anticipate a lot of travel on steep terrain or your route will require minimal ice axe use. Ice axe - what length do you need. This length offers the best compromise of balance and appropriate length for use on steep snow slopes.

And occasionally cutting steps but hopefully by the time youre doing that you will already know what you like For belay and T-anchors any length of axe is fine. Avoid getting an ice axe shorter than 60cm though because its spike will be dangerously close to your vital organs during a self-arrest. Generally if you are under 58 tall youll want a 50-60cm long ice axe.

Predominantly the attachment point for leashes the carabiner hole also works in tandem with ice clippers on your harness to stow your ice axe on-the-fly. But mountaineering ice axes are available in several lengths usually from 55 to 75 cm normally sold in 5 cm incrementsThe trick to figuring out which length axe you need for mountaineering is to stand up straight and hold the axe by its head. Length shape of the shaft of the pick.

How to determine what length ice axe you need. For glacier travel. Light ice axes are best for glacier travelling hiking and general mountaineering while heavier ice axes are useful for ice climbing and technical mountaineering.

Ice axes for glacier travel and ski mountaineering. Self-arrest belay and T-anchor. Walking axes are typically 50 to 70cm long.

As AA Grapsas commented it also depends on the type of climbing. When getting into very steep or vertical terrain the route may require the use of two axes generally one hybrid axe and one ice tool. Height is the main factor when choosing a walking axe.

Or potentially two ice tools for truly vertical terrain and beyond. And if you are taller than 6 ft.