

Carbon fibers are usually used for climbing ice axes while steel and aluminum are used for hiking/mountaineering ice axes. However, ice axes with carbon fiber shafts are lighter. Steel and aluminum shafts are stronger than shafts made of carbon fibers. The shaft of ice axes is made of steel, aluminum or carbon fibers. Buying an Ice Axe for Hiking and General Mountaineering – What is important?
ICE AXE ADZE UPDATE
We regularly update our reviews and selections to always recommend you the best products on the market. On very steep terrain an ice axe is usually held at the shaft you then either use the pick to ascend the slope like with a climbing ice axe or you use the flatter adze to cut steps in the snow – almost like a mini shovel. Should you fall or slip holding the ice axe like this, it is very easy to simply lean in the direction of the ice axe and the ice axe will quickly hook into the ground and decelerate your fall. When hiking on less steep terrain or walking along the foot of a slope, the ice axe is held at the head and the shaft is used as a hiking pole. As they have quite long and straight shafts (unlike climbing ice axes which typically have more convex shafts), they can also be used for better balance – like trekking poles.Įvery ice axe has two functional elements the shaft and the head – which consists of a pick and a rear facing adze. by hooking the ice axe into the slope in front of you but are primarily shaped for arresting a fall and cutting steps in the snow. The ice axes in this review can also be used for ascending relatively steep slopes in a manner similar to climbing ice axes, e.g. Here we selected and reviewed the best ice axes for hiking, glacier travelling and general mountaineering. While crampons provide you with traction, an ice axe helps you to arrest your fall in case that you slip on icy terrain. To hike on icy and snowy trails safely, you will need winter hiking gear – of which the two most important items are crampons and an ice axe.

Hiking becomes difficult in winter when the trails are covered with snow and ice.
