Hang on to the ice with the help of an ice tool

Ice Tools

Once the temperatures drop, that's when ice climbers grab their gear and head for the ice! When tackling icefalls and frozen waterfalls, you need the right ice tools. Ice tools – often known as ice axes or ice picks – are used for ice climbing, dry tooling and mixed climbing. Unlike an ice axe, an ice tool has a shorter, curved shaft and a much sharper, angled pick. The special shape of the pick ensures that once the tool is in the ice, it won’t easily slip out. The aggressive teeth of the pick will bite firmly into the ice, guaranteeing a secure hold.

What makes a good ice tool?

A good ice tool should be simple and precise. An effective ice tool should first and foremost have a good shaft. It should have an ergonomic shape, you should be able to hold it whilst wearing gloves and, most importantly, it should offer an excellent grip. Ice tools often include hand straps to provide extra grip, and if they’re not included then you can get some later on. There are two different types of ice axe heads: a hammer or an adze. The weight of the head is also important. If it's too heavy, it’ll take an unnecessary amount of strength to swing it. If it's too light, it takes too much strength to get the tool into the ice. Generally speaking, the weight of the head comes down to personal preference.

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