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When you hike within the winter within the White Mountains of New Hampshire, there are particular routes and trails the place it may be helpful to have an ice axe to arrest a fall, chop steps, for stability when strolling, on a steep slope, or as an anchor when there aren’t any good handholds round you. Whereas it’s true that you simply don’t want an ice axe more often than not when winter mountaineering within the Whites, whenever you need one, it certain is helpful to have.

There are hikers, some fairly distinguished ones, who will inform you that you simply by no means want an ice axe for winter mountaineering within the Whites Mountains. You would possibly very effectively have the ability to get by with out one in the event you stick with simpler routes or solely hike in good path situations. However an ice axe is an efficient security instrument to hold  when tackling winter routes that traverse steep, icy, or sketchy terrain. An ice axe weighs subsequent to nothing and might make the distinction between a harrowing day and one which’s simply managed.

Studying the right way to use an axe can be a enjoyable ability to study in the event you like studying backcountry abilities. You’ll be stunned how helpful it may be. Studying the right way to self-arrest with an ice axe can be necessary in the event you ever want to make use of full mountaineering crampons, within the Whites or elsewhere, since an unbroken slide in crampons is a nasty strategy to break an ankle or leg.

There are three elements to a mountaineering/walking-style ice axe:

The choose which may be plunged into ice as an anchor level or used to arrest an uncontrolled slide when held within the prepared place.
The shaft which may be plunged deeply into snow as a handhold or rope anchor or used as a friction brake when sliding down a slope in your butt on function (known as glissading).
The again or adze, which is used to actually chop steps right into a steep or vertical face so you’ll be able to climb or descend it safely. The adze additionally makes a passible beer bottle opener in the event you neglect to convey one.

Surveying the Osceola Chimney Bypass

Listed here are some examples of the place I’ve used an ice axe within the White Mountains to offer you a way of the paths the place it may turn out to be useful in winter:

Chopping steps on the very icy and steep Fishing Jimmy Path en path to North Kinsman. This implies making a flat ledge with the adze of the axe, so you’ll be able to traverse or get down an icy face.
Self-arresting a fall on the Lionhead path on Mt Washington.
For added stability on the Wildcat Vary Path when ascending Wildcat A (Mtn) from Carter Notch. This part of the path traverses an avalanche zone the place a fall or uncontrolled slide can be very unhealthy.
As an anchor level for descending the very icy and steep part of the Osceola Ridge Path from East Osceola (Mtn) all the way down to the Greely Pond Path.
For stability, and to stop an uncontrolled slide down the west face of Mt Lafayette.
For stability, and to stop an uncontrolled slide down the Pine Bend Path coming back from North Tripyramid.
As an anchor and dagger level for climbing the Sabbaday Path from the Kanc to Center Tripyramid
Climbing the Blueberry Ledge Path on the way in which to Mt Whiteface when it’s helpful to have a agency anchor to drag your self up a number of slippery rock ledges that lack good handholds
For stability, when descending the steep Walden Path close to Mt Passaconaway
As an anchor and for stability when climbing the ice flows under the Lakes of the Clouds Hut on the Ammonoosuc Ravine Path.
Glissading down (sliding in your however utilizing the axe as friction brake) on quite a few larger angle slopes as an alternative of mountaineering down them.
Utilizing the choose as a stable anchor level when climbing Mt Jackson from the East
For stability, when climbing the ledges on Mt Crawford or subsequent to the falls on the Nancy Pond Path in winter
As a stable anchor, when descending or ascending the chimney bypass between East Osceola (Mtn) and Mt Osceola
For stability, when crossing the avalanche slide whereas descending the east aspect of East Osceola (going through Mad River Notch) in winter.
As a stable anchor level or for chopping steps on the Beaver Brook Path whereas ascending or descending Mt Moosilauke

Whereas I’m certain individuals have hiked all these routes with out an ice axe, I’ve to inform you, I really feel a hell of lots safer and extra in management when I’ve one with me.

Be taught How one can Use an Ice Axe

The easiest way to discover ways to use an ice axe for winter mountaineering and mountaineering is to take a category with one of many mountain guiding companies in North Conway (NH). I took my first mountaineering course with IME (Worldwide Mountain Tools) some time in the past and I’ve used it ever since. Redline Guiding is one other information service that can be very fashionable inside the mountaineering neighborhood.