Ask the Master: Waterfall Ice – To Adze, or Not to Adze
"Is having an adze on your technical ice tool the mountaineering equivalent of showing up to a bouldering gym with your harness on (a.k.a. the sign of a novice)?"
Become a member to unlock this story and receive other great perks.
Already have an Outside Account? Sign in
All Access
Fall Sale
$1.52 / week*
- A $500 value with 25+ benefits including:
- Access to all member-only content on all 17 publications in the Outside network like Rock and Ice, Climbing, Outside, Backpacker, Trail Runner and more
- Annual subscription to Climbing magazine.
- Annual gear guides for climbing, camping, skiing, cycling, and more
- Gaia GPS Premium with hundreds of maps and global trail recommendations, a $39.99 value
- Today’s Plan training platform with customized training plans
- Premium access to Outside TV and 1,000+ hours of exclusive shows
- Annual subscription to Outside magazine
*Outside memberships are billed annually. You may cancel your membership at anytime, but no refunds will be issued for payments already made. Upon cancellation, you will have access to your membership through the end of your paid year. More Details
I might be stirring the pot a bit with this question, but I’ve noticed a disturbing trend. It seems like every time I witness a novice ice leader stumbling their way up a WI 3/4 that they have no business leading, the leader-in-question always has an adze on one of their high-end, aggressive ice tools. I’ve seen this whether I’m at an ice fest or just down at the local crag. A quick YouTube search of “ice climbing falls” also confirms this theory [Weekend Whipper: Ice Fall Wrecking Ball].
Is having an adze on your technical ice tool the mountaineering equivalent of showing up to a bouldering gym with your harness on (a.k.a. the sign of a novice)? Or is there a legitimate reason for equipping an aggressive tool with an adze?
—RANDYTHEMUSCLEMANSAVAGE
Randy,
I agree with you that having two hammers (or nothing at all) makes more sense for most pure waterfall ice situations. You can usually take care of all
your chopping needs with your pick. Now, if you are talking more of an alpine setting where you may need an adze for bigger projects, like chopping a bivy ledge or building a snow anchor, then having an adze on your tool might make more sense.
I remember long ago (20+ years) taking an adze to the head while climbing a long route in the Canadian Rockies. I was a bloody mess by the time that cut finally froze shut. I’m pretty sure a hammer to the head is much cleaner than an adze to the head, but both are probably worth avoiding.
As for the “disturbing trend” you mentioned of novice ice leaders using an adze, I don’t know. Maybe that’s what the gear shops are selling to new ice
climbers.
—Jeff Ward
Got a question about climbing? Submit your question to Gear Guy at rockandicegearguy@gmail.com
Also Read