Seven Must-Learn Mountaineering Skills Before Attempting Your First Summit

5. Axe and Crampon Use

 

how to use an axe and crampon

Athlete, Will Gadd taken in Alberta, CA by Jimmy Chin

Most Alpine or high-altitude ascents will require the use of crampons and ice axes or ice tools at some point along the way. While the use or application of this equipment may seem fairly self-explanatory, there’s more to it than many first assume. With a snow (Piolet) axe, learning to self-arrest and how and where to plant your axe (on the high side of the slope) for self-belay and support in case of a slip, are absolute musts.

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Depending on the nature of your climb, learning how to use more technical and aggressive ice-tools might also be a consideration, allowing you to ascend steeper snow or ice sections with more stability and assuredness. With crampons, front-pointing and utilizing the French (flat-footing) technique, as well as simply becoming familiar with the initially awkward feeling of walking with crampons on, are fundamental inclusions on any tick-list of skills to be acquired before attempting your first big mountain.

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