Self Arrest Ice Axe

An ice axe has many uses but it is primarily a safety tool for helping you stop an unexpected fall down a slope which is called making a self arrest.

Self arrest ice axe.

In this video we review the self arrest technique a way of stopping a. Watch my video demonstration of the self arrest technique and here s a step by. To avoid these potential problems carry an ice axe with you and know how to use it to stop yourself by using a technique called the self arrest. Personaly i wouldn t feel well without the leash.

I don t see any good reason for not using a leash. Use of an ice axe greatly increases the probability of. Subscribe to our channel for the latest training videos climbing tutorials and more. The freedom of the hills is all yours with the proper ice axe to stabilize your footing if you slip balance you on the descent and to stop your fall in the event you find yourself needing to self arrest.

It holds the ice axe tightly in my hand. But relax this list will get you to where you want to be and get you there safely with the best choices in ice axes for you mountain travels. Ice axe self arrest from walking. To be able to self arrest effectively it s important to practise.

A classic hiking ice axe approx. Learning how to properly self arrest is a life saving skill that will take lots of practice to master but learning the basics is easy. In slovenia we always teach self arrest with wrist leash. Self arrest can be performed by using ice axe and a combination of a climber s boots hands feet knees and elbows.

Self arrest is a technique employed in mountaineering in which a climber who has fallen and is sliding down a snow or ice covered slope arrests the slide by themselves without recourse to a rope or other belay system. In firn snow the head of the ice axe should be used for self arrest. Self arrest with ice axe. In soft snow the adze.

The ice axe for many is a mountaineering symbol that evokes images of rugged glaciated peaks and above the cloud summits it s an essential safety tool for mountaineering adventures whether you use it to maintain balance or to self arrest and stop yourself from a fall. But we always wrap wrist leash around the head of the ice axe. Even with good skills there is always a possibility of taking a slip or a trip and if you do then having the appropriate techniques to self arrest is paramount. The self arrest involves planting your axe into the snow to stop a fall if you slip on a steep snow covered slope.

Ice axe self arrest starting in a seated position.