HOW TO ICE AXE ARREST

The most basic ice axe arrest, and the first one you’ll learn on any winter skills course, begins with sliding on your back, feet first. The only way to really learn this properly is to be taught in person, and to practise again and again until it becomes automatic. As well as being one of the most fun parts of a winter skills course, you’ll also be taught how to arrest sliding headfirst or on your front. But this basic version, with you sliding on your back, feet first (which is where you’ll usually find yourself if you slip!) is what you’ll start with:

1 Immediately bring the axe diagonally across your body, holding the head at your shoulder with one hand and the spike at the opposite hip with the other hand. The pick should be facing out and the adze pressing into the hollow beneath your collarbone.

2 Bring your knees up to lift your feet clear of the snow, so your crampons don’t snag, sending you into an uncontrolled tumble.

3 Hugging the axe tight against your collarbone hollow, roll onto your front, arching your back to keep the pick out of the snow.

4 Once on your front, lift your stomach and push the bulk of your body weight progressively and firmly into the axe head.

5 The upper hand should grip the head, with the pick digging deep into the snow and the adze pressing below your collarbone. Grip the spike tightly against the opposite hip.

6 Keep steadily applying force to the axe head until you come to a stop. Relief!