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Samiam277
Oct 21, 2009, 2:36 AM
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When an ice axe says 70 cm, is that just the length of the shaft itself or does it include the full length of the axe (from the top of the head to the spike)
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doons
Oct 21, 2009, 3:11 AM
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full length.
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hacksaw
Oct 21, 2009, 4:53 AM
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If you're that consumed about a few centimeters take a tape measure with you to the climbing shop....
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evanwish
Oct 21, 2009, 4:19 PM
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If you're concerned with size just go to the shop and hold the axe, get whatever size is long enough to go from your hand to the floor while standing comfortably. I personaly perfer a slightly longer axe.
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kobaz
Oct 21, 2009, 4:25 PM
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evanwish wrote: If you're concerned with size just go to the shop and hold the axe, get whatever size is long enough to go from your hand to the floor while standing comfortably. I personaly perfer a slightly longer axe.
I agree. I've read all kinds of stuff about ice axe sizing. The general consensus is the axe bottom should end at your ankle when you stand comfortably relaxed.
I find that this is too short, if you try and use your axe as a walking stick when you're not going uphill, you have to bend over and walk like an old fuddy. I would go with something that touches the floor when you stand comfortably.
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evanwish
Oct 21, 2009, 4:36 PM
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kobaz wrote: evanwish wrote: If you're concerned with size just go to the shop and hold the axe, get whatever size is long enough to go from your hand to the floor while standing comfortably. I personaly perfer a slightly longer axe. I agree. I've read all kinds of stuff about ice axe sizing. The general consensus is the axe bottom should end at your ankle when you stand comfortably relaxed. I find that this is too short, if you try and use your axe as a walking stick when you're not going uphill, you have to bend over and walk like an old fuddy. I would go with something that touches the floor when you stand comfortably.
Exactly. Of course a longer axe weighs more and is often more cumbersome to store on a backpack, but it is much more comfortable when you're actually using it.
...IMO
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kheegster
Oct 24, 2009, 8:11 AM
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If you're not going uphill, then what's the point of an ice axe?
Use trekking poles or just suck it up on the less steep sections.
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kobaz
Oct 24, 2009, 5:25 PM
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kheegster wrote: If you're not going uphill, then what's the point of an ice axe?
Traverses, downhill..
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sungam
Oct 24, 2009, 5:33 PM
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In a controlled fashion...
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kheegster
Oct 24, 2009, 7:15 PM
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If the terrain is steep enough to require an ice axe for self-belay or potential self arrest, then you can just keep the ice axe on the uphill side even while traversing or going downhill. There are several cute diagrams in this book called 'Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills' that illustrate this.
If you want an ice axe long enough to use as a cane on descents, then you'd end up with this:
Still possible to send mad shit with it, but you'll really want the tweed jacket and hob-nailed boots to along with it...
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Guran
Oct 26, 2009, 9:05 AM
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kheegster wrote: If you're not going uphill, then what's the point of an ice axe? Use trekking poles or just suck it up on the less steep sections.
Ever heard about crevasses?
If you intend to cross a snow covered glacier with me using only trekking poles, you'd better give me some demonstration first how you intend to hold my weight in case of a collapsing snow bridge.
Not saying you couldn't do it, but I would not trust you until you demonstrated it.
(the same applies even if you're wielding an axe, if you look the least noobish, btw)
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kobaz
Oct 27, 2009, 4:45 AM
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kheegster wrote: There are several cute diagrams in this book called 'Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills' that illustrate this. If you want an ice axe long enough to use as a cane on descents, then you'd end up with this: Still possible to send mad shit with it, but you'll really want the tweed jacket and hob-nailed boots to along with it...
Hey, I kinda like tweed.
I wasn't saying you should get an axe as long as a trekking pole, but I think the next axe I buy is going to be slightly longer.
The question was what use is an axe other than going uphill. I answered in the context of a general axe. And yes I have a copy of FOTH.
As usual, it all depends (tm). If you're doing a lot of glacier travel and low angle stuff, a longer axe is nice for walking. If you're doing some serious steepness, you might as well just bring two ice tools and leave the long axe at home, which is what I usually do.
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