equipment [3]

Complete range of accessories used in climbing.

ice ax

Small ax used by the mountaineer for cutting footholds, judging snow depth, gaining a firm grip in ice or hard-packed snow, etc.

wrist sling

Strap that attaches the ice ax to the wrist.

shaft

Long wooden or metal part used to hold and handle the ice ax.

spike

Sharp-tipped end of the shaft; it is used to cut footholds and to gain a firm grip in ice or hard-packed snow.

adze

Flat sharp-edged part that is used to cut footholds.

pick

Part that is driven into ice or hard-packed snow in order to advance.

head

Semicircular part that contains the pick and the adze.

hammer ax

Hammer that doubles as an ice ax; it is used to drive in pitons, cut footholds, break ice on the rock face, etc.

pick

Part that is driven into ice or hard-packed snow in order to advance.

hammer head

Flat surface used by the mountaineer to strike pitons.