Mountaineering ice axe length reddit. Start your journey today! .

Mountaineering ice axe length reddit. Aug 21, 2023 · Hey everyone, I'm thinking about getting a new, lighter axe for some Pacific Northwest volcanoes and some routes in the Tetons. Also prioritize weight. In the future I primarily plan to do most of the cascades volcanoes by the standard trade routes (Rainier DC, Adams, Baker, Glacier, Hood, maybe Olympus). 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. I've found 50cm a good length for couloirs - generally they're pretty steep so you don't have as much use for the extra length as you would walking upright over a glacier. 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. Most routes involve a lot more trekking where ski poles are handy and you only need an ice axe when the terrain gets steeper. It’s just a basic rundown of features and what to look for if you’re new to Mountaineering newbie here - I'm starting a mountaineering course this winter in the pacific northwest. A slight curve can also be ok, but generally speaking it's for more special use cases. How do I decide which to pick? I currently use a 50cm ice axe for ski mountaineering. But for a walk up, I'd stick with a straight axe with no grip. Feb 19, 2007 · For a general mountaineering axe, I would go no shorter than 60 cm, and I believe 70 is more standard for good reason. My axe of choice for that route was a BD Raven Ultra in 55cm. 5 days ago · Looking for reliable ice axes for your mountaineering adventures? Explore our top 15 picks to stay safe and prepared while climbing the toughest peaks. After years of renting, I’m finally ready to purchase my own ice axe for summits in the area (Adams, Hood, Helens, Rainier). I'll see what happens on my trip this weekend. Is this too short for general mountaineering? Edit: Went with the 55cm Black Diamond Pro. Jan 14, 2017 · There is no single best length for an ax, even for a particular person. I know there isn't the perfect allround model but i still have to start somewhere. Get an ice axe that goes to around the bottom of your calf. This isn’t meant to be a comprehensive review of individual ice axes or technique. Walking on glaciers, poking crevasse edges, and self arrest are far higher priority items than convenience on steep snow and ice climbing for most general mountaineering. As such, don’t fall into the trap of getting a “cane”. I held a 65cm and a 60cm and the employee said my optimal length is smack dab in the middle of the two. It'll be easier to walk with and easier to get used to as a first timer. Find out how to choose the right ice axe for your intended use. I'm 5' 2" and pretty light at 100 lbs. One thing to keep in mind is that your ice axe will most likely be on your backpack more than your hand. As everyone starts to gear up for thru hikes and early season snow travel, I thought I’d write an overview on ice axes. They also make a 60,68, and 75. I'm 5'8" and somewhat long arms and so far it's worked well for me especially on steeper terrain. Makes plunging the axe easier as well. , with a graduation climb - likely on Adams or Baker. Learn how to size your ice axe, the parts of an ice axe and key features to consider. As others have said, your ice axe is for self arrest and not a walking stick. Thanks for your suggestions everyone! :) For your height, 50-60 cm is the recommended ice axe length. Most people that advocate for longer ice axes claim you need then extension in order to get leverage when self arresting. Super light and a workable length. Start your journey today!. And when you say you used your friend’s ice axe, was it a straight-shafted axe or a hybrid or an ice tool? I can see how you might think it’s short if you used it for hiking and climbing support. I've considered going up to the 60cm but I went to a shop and got measured for an ice axe. This is mainly for winter travel along with crampons - I won't be climbing vertical ice at all. I'm currently looking into getting my first ice axe that fits my future endeavours best. Some are applicable to hikers, some are not. Currently I've been using the petzyl glacier literide which is a 50cm axe. As the slope gets steeper and you start getting into something more like ice climbing, you want a shorter ax or technical ice tools. First time buying an ice axe and I'm not sure which length to get. I'm considering the Petzl Literide which is only 50 cm. But here's the thing--if you fall on a steep section where your only hope is self arrest good luck stopping yourself. I have the Petzl I've seen a lot of conflicting info on ice axe length. Non sketchy but would like a bit of a nicer hold while climbing - whippet Sketchy to point of needing one tool - ice axe Pretty sketchy with one tool - ice axe and whippet Two tools required - steep to near vertical ice Remember ice axe = boot crampons and a helmet. A long one is good for walking in cane position on a relatively low-angle slope. We'll be practicing lots of ice anchors, glacier travel, crevasse rescue, etc. It 100% agree with this. For general mountaineering and not climbing steep ice, I'd just go with the black diamond raven. If you start climbing steep stuff, then look at the venom. Most resources for ice axes focus on general mountaineering. I’m typically never winter climbing, and summiting during the March - Sept mountaineering season. My current mountaineering axe is 70cm and is heavy. If you get into actual alpine ice climbing you're going to use ice tools not axes which are much shorter and are curved so that both ends are in constant contact with the ice and snow for better grip. byv pwou rzikz ufavt lcpnsyj cektb bqegz xbxib xupsr jwia