Ice axe loops

[Quixoticgeek]

A question for you all:

Have you ever carried an iceaxe in the iceaxe loops of your backpack?

Have you carried anything else in the iceaxe loops of your backpack?

Thanks

Julia

 

[British Red]

I carry a forest axe in mine quite often.

 

[petrochemicals]

some i belieeve use them for walking poles, or are advertised as dual use.

 

[Graham_S]

Yes and Yes.
I've carried an ice axe, I also use them for walking poles, and I've carried a take down bow and a GB SFA in them as well.
Useful things.

 

[Imagedude]

I've used them aplenty however old school loops are not suited to modern ice tools so my latest sacks have tool tubes instead.

http://www.aiguillealpine.co.uk/cgi-bin/trolleyed_public.cgi?action=showprod_P060

 

[Tiley]

When fresh and new to the climbing scene, I used to place my ice tools with religious certainty in the provided tool loops; however, as I got wiser and more experienced, I started using the side compression straps on the pack as a means of carrying them. It's a good deal easier and a lot quicker to access your ice tools if you can just slide them out rather than having to fiddle with rather awkward buckles and/or elastic shock cord or tape. It has the added advantage of the back of your pack staying clear of the snow, too!

In a bushcraft situation, my axe is usually carried in similar fashion behind the side compression straps, with the head in the wand pocket - if there is one! - but with it 'head up' but snugged in if there isn't.

Over the years, I've come to realize that the ubiquitous ice axe loops on rucksacks are of limited use. And yet manufacturers insist on including them. Oh, well!

 

[Paulm]

Use mine for bivvi or tarp poles on occasion.

Cheers, Paul

 

[Dogoak]

Yep, ice tools, poles and axes.

 

[Gimli]

I've used them for ice axes and waling poles. I was taught to put my walking axe between my back and rucksack with the head of the axe sitting behind my shoulder and over the top of the shoulder strap. It's much easier to quickly put the axe away and retrieve it that way and you hardly notice it's there.

 

[rg598]

Yes.

 

[Toddy]

Walking poles when the pack was going in the van. A mattock a couple of times.
We do have ice axes, but not a lot of use for them, tbh. If it's that cold here, probably better off with skis or spring boot grips.

cheers,
M

 

[Shewie]

I've used them, not for ice axes though, more likely poles if I'm walking on a tarmac section

 

[Macaroon]

Not for ice tools, but certainly for various poles, axes, saws and a medium sized mattock I often make use of when harvesting wood of different types; I wouldn't like to do without them

 

[ozzy1977]

Yup ice axes, walkin poles, SFA

 

[Grooveski]

I like ice axe loops. Donkeys years since I've had an ice axe on one but fishing rods, tripods, quivers...
In canoes I clip drybags and things onto the loops(with the waist belt round a thwart) to keep everything vaguely attached.
On the bike I sometimes run my wee cable lock through the shoulder strap adjuster webbing and round to the buckle bit of the axe loop. Gets it out the way while leaving it handy.
Yeah, definately a fan.

 

[Quixoticgeek]

thank you everyone for your replies, interesting.

Julia