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An ice axe is a versatile Mountaineering tool that practically every mountaineer will carry. An ice axe consists of six components:

  • head - usually made of steel and includes the pick and adze. One grips the head using either a Self-arrest or Self Belay grip. There is a hole in the centre of the head called a '' Carabiner hole'' but it is mostly used for attaching a wrist leash.

  • pick - a hooked or curved end of the head that draws to a point set with teeth. The hooked design allows the axe to dig in faster when trying to self-arrest.

  • adze - the flat, widest section of the head used for chopping steps in hard snow and ice. Ice climbing tools may have a hammer instead.

  • shaft - usually made of metal (e.g. Aluminum or Titanium ) or some composite such as Fiberglass , Kevlar or carbon filament. Originally, axes had wooden shafts (usually Hickory ) but the lighter weight and durability of today's axes have relegated such wooden axes to the museums.

  • spike (or ferrule) - a sharp spike at the bottom is used to plunge the ice axe into snow for stability, balance and safety. Sometimes used on rocky trails for balance but one must take care not to dull the spike.

  • leash - webbing with an adjustable loop to secure the axe to hand. Some modern ice climbing tools are leashless and use more ergonomic shafts with pronounced bends and grips.


Ice axes range anywhere from 40 to 90 cm in length. Axes from 40-60 cm are better suited to Ice Climbing while the longer axes are for general mountaineering tasks.

The ice axe is not only used as an aid to climbing but also as a self rescue tool to stop an uncontrolled Glissade .

Many Backpack s designed with mountaineering tasks in mind will include ice axe loops for securing the axe to the pack when it is not needed.

An ice axe was also infamously used in the assassination of Leon Trotsky and, more recently, the murder of Anthony Walker .