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In mountaineering, a climber can employ a 'self-belay' with an ice axe to prevent a slide down a snow-covered slope. To use an ice axe to self belay, a climber will hold the axe by the head in the climber’s uphill hand. As the climber moves up the slope, the climber will push the shaft of the axe several inches into the snow with every other step. If the axe is set firmly enough, it will aid in preventing a slip from becoming a fall. If a slip occurs, the climber presses down on the head of the axe causing the shaft to sink deeper into the snow, anchoring the climber. If this method is unsuccessful, the climber may fall and slide down the slope having to rely on a technique called a self-arrest.

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External links

See also

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External links

★ Peel, Howard. A guide to self belaying, ''The Rock Zone'', 2004.

★ Traditional training for ice axe self belay and arrest

★ Self-belayed rappel,