Ice Axe Technique

[1onlykar]

Strange... I've used my feet on every self-arrest I've ever done, and I've never done cartwheels. Of course, with crampons on ice or hard snow, I would be inclined to lift them up until I slowed. Silly how people say he does it wrong. You kind of have to know the conditions of a particular slide to decide on your technique, and that's where experience comes in!

[WhittakerMtneering]

@1onlykar Well said!

[tylerpienta]

@1onlykar i heard this story once where a guy was climbing everest and fell by camp 2 and landed on his back and he had his crampons in his backpack with the spikes faceing his back and when he fell if stabbed him and severed his spinal cord

[Skidkid6]

Well If you notice, they dont out there feet down until they are sliding slowly. Maybe ed didnt mention this? Damned of I know Ive never climbed before...lol Cool video though. Thanks Ed

[bigturtlehand]

Careful criticizing Ed while he is wielding an ice axe...

[crazyyella]

Hahaha. You guys do realize that Ed Viesturs pulled off one of the best self arrest saves in history, right? He saved himself and Scott Fischer as they were falling down K2 when they got pulled off by an avalanche. Just look up K2 Ed Viesturs and you will find a video about him talking about it.

[hobbes808]

Hahahaha! you guys are trying to tell Ed Viesturs that he is wrong with his self arrest technique? He is one of the best mountaineers on this planet.  You go climb all 14 of the highest peaks without oxygen... then you can tell him he is wrong. Do some homework.

[silasrossi]

No crampons = feet down, digging in.

Crampons = feet up, knees diggin in.

[sammm445566]

wrong with the feet, you are not suppose to put you feet down or else you go into a cart wheel, use your knees and only dug you feet in when almost completly stopped.

[c4t2f0]

you guys want to go show him the "proper"way to self arrest?This guys an accomplished mountaineer...you guys arent shit!!good vid

[b4igetu]

I don't think he had crampons on so in that case you would use your feet. With crampons on you could flip.

[topdogboogie]

Keep those feet up!

[BradynVB]

Dude!  You can't lecture Ed!

[letsSAVEourPLANET]

I know! If you put your feet down you flip over. Only put your feet down after you have neared a complete stop to steady yourself out.