If I could have only one, it would be the 55 cm. I clock in at just under 6 feet, and find that a 60 cm axe is great for all-around guiding applications, while I might buy a 55 cm for my own climbing. A 60 cm axe can still be swung overhead in steeper terrain, and its shaft is long enough to offer a secure self-belay in iffy snow. Such an axe is not so short that it is challenging to place during descents, nor is it too long to use in steeper terrain. It gets tiring.įor an all-around axe, the best length is in the 55-60 cm range. That’s great if you plan to spend weeks walking across a flat glacier in Alaska, but on a steeper slope, it will be challenging to plunge the taller the axe, the higher above your head you’ll have to lift your arm for each placement. A 75 cm axe is quite long, and most people will find that it touches the ground on nearly flat terrain. Modern axes are sold in 45 cm to 75 cm lengths. Longer axes are easier to plunge on flatter terrain, while shorter axes are easier to use in steep terrain. The length of an axe dictates where it’s useful. When selecting such a tool, it is important to consider length, material, shaft style, and head: Choosing an Ice Axe Length: They still carry out these tasks in skilled hands, but they’re far from ideal.įor most climbers, a more all-around tool will be much more useful. The average ice tool is shit for walking on a glacier, self-belaying on steep snow, building anchors, etc. They come in many shapes and sizes, and they are, for the most part, very specialized tools. An ice tool is a specialized axe that is designed to climb steep to vertical ice and mixed terrain. Still, winter is right around the corner, and I have an answer for you.įirstly, it’s important to clarify that I am not going to include a discussion of ice tools. But one axe to do it all? That’s a tough question. A friend asked: If you could have only one ice axe, what would it be? There are ice tools, ice axes, piolets, hammers, glacier walkers, third tools, and oh my many more.
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