by davekeiller » Fri Oct 11, 2019 11:41 am
Ice axe length is something of a vexed question.
Conventional wisdom used to be that when holding the axe by your side you should be just touching the top of your boots with the point at the bottom of the shaft. However, many people prefer a shorter axe because a long shaft can be a bit unwieldy.
Weight is another vexed issue - some people prefer lightweight axes for obvious reasons, whilst others prefer an axe with a bit of weight to it as it's less likely to bounce off hard snow.
If you're just starting out with winter walking, the best option might be to book on a course where the technical gear is provided, as that will give you a chance to try a couple of different lengths etc. to have a more informed view before buying.