What size ice axe do i need reddit. As a data point, I'm 5'11 and use a .
What size ice axe do i need reddit I currently use a 50cm ice axe for ski mountaineering. It has a steel pick and spike. With an axe this short you have to be comfortable walking on flattish ground without the 3rd point and learn reactive self-belays (which are stronger imo, drive it in with your bodyweight and works in shallower/firmer snow cause the axe is shorter). Parts of an Ice Axe. As such, don’t fall into the trap of getting a “cane”. But if you can do that it becomes a do-everything axe, until you need a reverse a pick, keeping A longer axe, though, can be unwieldy to use during self-arrest because the spike can catch in the snow and send you and your axe flying. It's way more functional that way The Camp Corsa Nano Tech ice axe is incredibly light (I measured 246g/8. Otherwise, you won't need Posted by u/doxzer52 - 6 votes and 34 comments I'm 6'0" and 70cm is the right size for me in boots for basic glacier travel, if you're well experienced you can go shorter but 60cm sounds a little short. Get an ice axe that goes to around the bottom of your . According to the old advice, all of his ice axes are at least 10cm too short! Why keep an ice axe short? On steep terrain, a longer ice axe puts the climber’s hand It's hard to know ahead of time whether you'll need an ice axe for the year you hike. Anything 30 degrees and under I feel like the chances of slipping are small, and don't need to plunge the ice axe as a self belay. Dec 11, 2019 · Do I Need a Spike? A spike is useful when using the ice axe as a third point of contact while walking on a firmer surface. My axe of choice for that route was a BD Raven Ultra in 55cm. And that’s mainly to do with general-mountaineering axes, as technical ice-climbing axes/ice tools have less variation in this department; most are about 50 centimeters long. Agree with all the recommendations about browsing resale or at least shopping a sale, an ice axe is an ice axe but the BD Raven Pro or Petzl Summit are the go-to's for me. When you shop for an ice axe, you'll need to know its basic components: Jan 14, 2017 · If an ice axe can be used as a walking stick, it's not going to be much use on steeper slopes - which is when you actually need it to self-arrest. You also might need one for Baden Powell, and you could have the axe shipped to Wrightwood for that. (If the snow is soft, then a spike doesn't matter as much. Most routes involve a lot more trekking where ski poles are handy and you only need an ice axe when the terrain gets steeper. For reference I'm 5'5", 135lb male. Agree with this. Even in an average snow year, hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail may encounter snow and ice in the Sierra Nevada mountains in June. Super light and a workable length. Ice ax length depends as much on steepness of terrain as on height, the steeper the terrain the shorter the ax. For less demanding terrains where the axe serves more as a walking aid, a longer axe is better. If one's arms are like a Tyrannosaurs Rex and they are 5'8" they need a longer ice axe than someone 6'6" who can scratch their shin without bending at the waist. One thing to keep in mind is that your ice axe will most likely be on your backpack more than your hand. Sometimes you need one as early as San Jacinto (mile 170-something?). Avoid getting an axe longer than 70cm unless you're tall enough to measure out as needing an axe that size. Ice axes aren't walking sticks or canes. 6oz for 50cm length). For any kind of vertical or near vertical climbing, you really want a shorter, technical ice axe with the right grip. In this case, you can buy/have one shipped to Warner Springs. 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 However, in general, the need for an ice axe depends on the current snow and weather conditions in the Sierra Nevada. They just push into soft snow and don't do much. His most frequently used ice axe is 56cm, and he even uses a 45cm ice axe for ski objectives. But keep in mind that axes make crappy canes, even when they are long. Don't go larger than 60cm. As a data point, I'm 5'11 and use a See full list on activeweekender. Use a ski pole as a third point of contact instead, and carry your axe for self arrest or for when it gets steep enough that you actually need for security. In steeper terrain shorter bent shaft ice axes are much easier to plunge or to use in the dagger position. It is pretty important to get the proper size or they feel awkward. com The terrain you expect to get out on should also be factored in when deciding the size and type of ice axe you need. And for Denali I would definitely not go bigger than a 60cm. For example, one of our guides is 6’1″ (185cm) and their longest ice axe is 60 cm. I really stay away from ice for the most part, but may use it to get up a 5ft section of an ice slab/bulge, but generally not purely vertical. ) Another benefit of a spike is it helps the axe penetrate more easily into the snow when using the axe as a vertically-oriented snow anchor. 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). What Size Ice Axe Do I Need? Arguably the most complicated part of choosing an ice axe is deciding among shaft lengths. With an axe this short you have to be comfortable walking on flattish ground without the 3rd point and learn reactive self-belays (which are stronger imo, drive it in with your bodyweight and works in shallower/firmer snow cause the axe is shorter). I wrote an article for AlpInsider on how to use an ice axe, which explains more about why shorter is better for self-arresting and how to actually use your axe. An ice axe can provide extra security and stability when traveling on snow-covered or icy terrain. That is the perfect size for you unless you have really long arms, in which case you could size down. But if you can do that it becomes a do-everything axe, (except roped climbing where you'll need So many people saying go long. I think people often treat ice axes as walking sticks on moderately steep slopes. wzfazsqibqlhyiwremhelctvkujqibdghxwcbhrnunmzxscygz