GEAR DISSECTED Ice axes

A must-have piece of kit for safely exploring the hills in winter and one that’ll make you look like a proper mountaineer, here’s what to look for in an ice axe…

THE AXE HEAD

More technical axes have removable picks, allowing you to switch it out depending on your intended use, or replace it when it has reached the end of its life. Most axes will have an adze on the opposite end of the head for cutting ice away, but climbing axes carried as pairs usually come with the option of a hammer instead, making it a more useful tool for hammering pegs or nuts into rock or ice.

LENGTH

Hold an axe by the head with your arm straight down your side. For a general-purpose axe, the spike at the end of the shaft should reach your ankle. For a dedicated walking axe a slightly longer length makes it more comfortable to use.

THE CURVE OF THE SHAFT Straight shafts are great for walking axes that will be used more like a trekking pole, while mountaineering axes that will be swung by the shaft when climbing will have a more curved profile. The greater the curve, the more climbing oriented the axe is.

STRENGTH RATINGS Axe heads and shafts are given a rating to indicate their strength. Type 1 or B-rated axes are perfectly adequate for winter walking and are likely to be lighter. Type 2 or T-rated axes are stronger and can be used on harder terrain or for creating belays.

LEASHES

A removable leash attaches to the wrist for extra security. Most axes come supplied with a leash, but leashes can also be bought separately. Climbing axes are usually leashless, instead being tethered to the climber’s harness on longer lanyards.