Free shipping Australia wide on orders over $99 | Over 400,000 Trees Planted
Free shipping Australia wide on orders over $99 | Over 400,000 Trees Planted
July 28, 2023
In ski and split mountaineering when it's too steep and/or icy for skinning and your skis are on your pack, normally at about 25-30 degrees we need other climbing aids and protection.
Before you buy your axe consider your needs. Will you be using it as a general mountaineering tool, in steeper terrain when ski/split mountaineering, will you be ice climbing or a mixture of applications.
Straight shaft axes are best for a general ski/split tool & an excellent choice for use as a walking cane, self arresting and cutting steps. A curved or technical shaft axe will still do these things albeit not as well but will be better suited to steep skiing terrain, ice and mixed climbing.
When ascending in an upright position and using your axe as a cane for balance & self arrest a straight shaft axe that is a little longer with a spike for punching through layers is best. Depending on your level of comfort and surface conditions you may climb in this position in terrain steeper than others would.
When the terrain is steeper and you are uncomfortable in the upright position you will be in a daggering position where you are grasping the axe in various grips at the head of the axe and in a more prone position to the snow surface. This is where the more technical curved shaft is better suited but the straight shaft will still work!
<45° cane
45°-60° low dagger
60°-70° mid dagger
>70° ice axe - traction
Now this one is a deep rabbit hole when it comes to ascending steeper slopes in a ski/split-mountaineering application; Two axes, one axe and a pole, one axe & a Whippet or two Whippets? I personally like one axe and one whippet but also am a fan of two whippets! See what works for you.
Don't let having extra protection lure you into more challenging terrain & conditions. Find a steep short slope clear of rocks with a safe run out to practice your self arresting, never practice with your crampons on and when it's in anger always lift your feet off the snow to avoid injury from a crampon snag!
Want to learn more? Contact Doug and the team at Snowy Mountain Backcountry
Doug in the Main Range
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October 31, 2025
I had brought my Mont Helium 680 with me. A luxurious bag rated to -12°C for warm sleepers, it is perfectly suited to Tasmania’s cooler months. Ice crusted the ground and tent the next morning and checking my temperature sensor I was surprised to see that the temperature had dropped to -7.7°C overnight. That is remarkably cool for late October in Tassie!
October 20, 2025
At Mont Adventure Equipment, we believe that quality gear, people, and the planet deserve care. That’s why we only participate in only one yearly sale event that falls on Black Friday.
September 30, 2025
Tasmania has had a burst of late snowfalls recently and I headed up into the mountains yesterday to take advantage of a patch of fine weather. Unfortunately, the snow has coincided with very windy weather which makes conditions in the mountains challenging (but invigorating) for photography.
