Evolution of ice axes length
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 3:17 pm
Hi,
I'm currently looking into buying an ice axe and have some thoughts about lengths of ice axes. Since invention of the ice axe the length and methods how to determine appropriate length of ice axe have been constantly changing. In the past, it was very long and used mostly as a walking cane. Then manufactures started to produce shorter ice axes with suggestions that ice axe should be of the length to touch the ground with the arm alongside the body.
Subsequently, "next generation" of ice axe was of length few centimeters shorter then the gap between hand and ground, perfect-fit: no longer then ankle.
Now, some people are suggesting even shorter sizes. Many manufactures are also producing max 66-68cm ice axes. Of course it's still possible to buy sizes like 70,75cm but there are more ice axes models which are not produced in that size. Does it mean they are completely ignoring tall people (66cm will never fit into "ankle method") or the approach changed again into shorter ice axes? I'm not talking here about technical ice axes for very steep and vertical walls, rather general mountaineering: glacier, moderate slopes, etc.
So what is your opinion about it? What ice axe length do you have and how tall are you?
Probably based on the answers I will decide if I should go with 66cm ice axe or better look for something longer. I'm 190cm / 6'3 tall.
rdo
I'm currently looking into buying an ice axe and have some thoughts about lengths of ice axes. Since invention of the ice axe the length and methods how to determine appropriate length of ice axe have been constantly changing. In the past, it was very long and used mostly as a walking cane. Then manufactures started to produce shorter ice axes with suggestions that ice axe should be of the length to touch the ground with the arm alongside the body.
Subsequently, "next generation" of ice axe was of length few centimeters shorter then the gap between hand and ground, perfect-fit: no longer then ankle.
Now, some people are suggesting even shorter sizes. Many manufactures are also producing max 66-68cm ice axes. Of course it's still possible to buy sizes like 70,75cm but there are more ice axes models which are not produced in that size. Does it mean they are completely ignoring tall people (66cm will never fit into "ankle method") or the approach changed again into shorter ice axes? I'm not talking here about technical ice axes for very steep and vertical walls, rather general mountaineering: glacier, moderate slopes, etc.
So what is your opinion about it? What ice axe length do you have and how tall are you?
Probably based on the answers I will decide if I should go with 66cm ice axe or better look for something longer. I'm 190cm / 6'3 tall.
rdo