Thread: Ice axe and Crampons

Hey - what's the feeling about carrying an ice Axe ( and crampons) for trips above the bushline in winter.

I recently had to do a self arrest with my rifle barrel and it seemed a little close a call for comfort!

Cheers - Foster

yes used both for the first time this year, ice axe from may onwards - very good on steep tussok faces, cramp ons in late june worth there weight in gold - didnt need them a fortnight latter in the next valley over but was still carying them

I had a unnerving experience when a young fella when the cornice?(top of ridge blown over and frozen) collapsed beneath me and i slid down a shute.Was fun for a start till i started picking up speed.

Since learnt a bit about alpine travel

I dont consider myself a tops hunter(more bush) but if I was planning a trip into Ice/snow would be seriously considering crampons even instep, Its bloody tiring kicking in every step

Ice axes can get you through most situations if you have time and know how to use them, I once did a self arrest for myslef and the guy that was holding me by the ankle....
Crampons are good but can also be a bit of a risk in themselves, get them stuck in your calf/catch them when doing an arrest if you do slip etc. Best to get habitual in your response to falls before you venture too far with them (people do funny things when they take an unexpected slip-read the above comment about having a guy holding my ankle)

Get and ice axe and learn to use it. Also exercise a good deal of caution and you will be fine...

Found this in one of our trucks when doing a routine inspection. Free to a good home if someone wants to have it.

Hey Rushy - How about me, I was gonna buy one, so if you have no use for it I'd be real happy to pay postage and make a contribution to your beer money . . . . PM sent.

Originally Posted by Tentman

Hey Rushy - How about me, I was gonna buy one, so if you have no use for it I'd be real happy to pay postage and make a contribution to your beer money . . . . PM sent.

Have replied to your PM. Will get the missus to tell me the account number (I only earn the money so have no idea where it goes after that) and I will take it home tonight to get it packaged up.

Yes always take one in alpine areas this time of year. Learn how to use it. A course is ideal, but there's some handy videos on youtube these days.

As for crampons, I have some, but avoid areas where I may need them. They have helped me recover a shot chamois once though. Again, learn how to use them properly.

About a million years ago while at school I did go on an (epic) ice and snow course and did the usual ice axe self arrest, belays and cramponing.

Mountain Safety run a course down here and I'd like to do it as a refresher, its always on the cards that you'll eventually have to deal with avalance assessment, cornices etc.

The self arrest (technically I'm told it was a belay as I hadn't gained any sort of speed although it seemed to happen pretty quick and with enough speed to scare the shit out of the guys watching) I did do with the rifle barrel was from book learning (combined with the old course) so the youtube idea is a good one!!

These are good comments Tentman. I have always been taught that you should have an ice axe before crampons. This is mainly because of what JoshC has said. When you are in an alpine enviroment you want to take as little risks as possible. An ice axe can get you out of a lot of situations but unless you are skilled in using crampons they tend to put you in bad situations. A small patch of ice on a ridge can lead to a steep patch of ice and before you know it you are unsure whether to go back or forward. If you slip on a hard patch of snow its not too hard to self arrest with the right technique but slipping on solid ice can lead to trouble. Sometimes your ice axe wont even dig in All you can do then is pray for a good run out

Originally Posted by Tussock

They climbed some pretty epic peaks back in the day without crampons but they sure as hell had ice axes.

Cutting steps and taking your time with the ice axe is my preference. Think I have had my crampons on once. They mostly just hang around poking holes in my stuff.

Damn thats a good call - used my crampons (N.Island) everytime time I was looking for somewhere to practise with them, other than that they poked a ton of holes in me and my gear every other time. Don't forget axes take time to learn and use properly, consistantly.