How to Attach an Ice Axe to a Pack

Naomi Judd

If you will be carrying an ax or axes on mountaineering or climbing trips, you'll soon learn that attaching one to your pack takes only a few seconds. Many packs are designed to accommodate mountaineering axes or vertical climbing axes. Some packs, designed specifically for ice climbing, may even have Velcro loops for extremely easy ax attachment, but most packs have two ax loops at the base of the pack and some sort of loop to secure the shaft.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Ice climbing packs
Ice climbing packs

Step 1

Insert the shaft of the ice ax into the ax loop all the way.

Step 2

Make sure that the point of the pick is facing in towards the middle of your pack.

Step 3

Fold the ax up towards the pack so that the shaft is above the pick. The ax loop will bend up with the ax, creating a little shelf for it.

Step 4

Attach the shaft of the ax with whatever loops are provided at the packs at their mid-height. Some are bungee and others are Velcro.

Step 5

Use a makeshift method if your pack for some reason does not have a cord to attach the shaft. Take the lid strap on that side and wind it around the shaft once or twice before buckling it and cinching it tight. This keeps the shaft close to the pack.

Resources

Article Written By Naomi Judd

Naomi M. Judd is a naturalist, artist and writer. Her work has been published in various literary journals, newspapers and websites. Judd holds a self-designed Bachelor of Arts in adventure writing from Plymouth State University and is earning a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...