I haven't taught them to use an axe before now mostly because I didn't feel they were ready to treat it with the respect it deserves. An axe can be a dangerous tool with sharp edges and a false sense of security so they needed to be old enough to understand how to use it properly.

I figured now that they're 12, 10, and (almost) 8 they were old enough. Plus, I wanted to dress up a short trip to Lake Lillian. (Not that Lillian really needs dressing, but adding ice axe training made it even better.)

We left home and made pretty good time up the steep fisherman's trail to the lake. There was almost no snow until we reached the lake basin. Only a month ago the lake was still frozen enough for us to walk across the ice. Already it was only a quarter covered in ice and only where the sun didn't hit it. (Last year it was still walkable in July!)

Even with the lack of ice and snow, the kids were thrilled. It didn't occur to me until later that they hadn't been to a frozen lake except Upper Crystal Lake last November. This was yet another wonder of nature I have taken for granted in my jaded old age.

We skirted the lake shore on the south side to a gully I figured would still hold enough snow for some simple training. It's about the only snow still at lake level, but it was enough.

The first lesson was all about the axe itself. We talked about the different parts: the spike, the shaft, the pick, and the adze. I reminded them the axe is a tool that is designed to reduce risk. (They all groaned at this. They've heard too much about managing risk in the outdoors, I fear.)

Next, I showed them how the leash should be on your wrist and the axe should be in your uphill hand with the pick pointed backwards. We walked back and forth across the small snowfield until they were comfortable with the axe and switching hands.

But walking is boring. The fun started when we worked on arresting. I won't explain here how to arrest (because I'm not qualified to instruct you in this critical skill), but I will explain how I made it fun for the kids.

After I had shown each of them (individually) how to hold the axe with the adze at their shoulder they knelt in the snow and fell forward. That got them used to where the axe needed to be when it hit the snow and that it needed to be held tight against their chest. I pulled on their feet so they could experience how the relatively small pick would hold in the snow if they pulled up on the shaft.

For their final test, I had them stand facing the slope with the axe in arresting position. Then I'd grab their ankles and count. 1... 2... 3... <yank> Down they went, face in the snow, pick holding solid. And giggling madly.

They loved it!

Clara wanted more and being the oldest I figured she would be able to coordinate a more difficult arrest. After all, you don't always fall into the slope. There are a number of positions you need to be able to arrest from. I showed Clara the first of these, which is sliding down the hill feet first, on your back. She got the hang of it pretty quickly, but I didn't want to get her extra cold by teaching her the harder positions.

(Looking back I realize I probably should have kept the protector on the adze just in case they put it in the wrong place, but nobody was hurt so I dodged a bullet.)

While walking and arresting with an axe are all about safety there's more to an axe than that.

Especially using it for glissade control. If you've forgotten what glissading is it's sliding down a hill without a sled. I most often do it while seated. I showed them all how to use the axe's spike like a tiller to slow their descent. Needless to say, this was their favorite part of the training and they did it over and over until they had a very fast track in the snow. (I can't blame them. I've had some amazingly memorable glissades and it always leave a huge grin on my face.)

We wrapped up training and climbed the rock above the gully for hot cocoa. I never got down in the snow and I was a little chilled. They were having so much fun they never complained, but I have to think they were freezing.

Our final bit of training was with a pair of Microspikes we had inherited. MICROspikes are sort of like tire chains for your feet, but with tiny teeth. They are great for icy trails and ideal for introducing kids to traction. (I tend to use Kahtoola's trail crampon when I need traction, but even those modest spikes are a little too pointy for the kids' first outing.)

More than seeing them enjoying using this gear, I loved the way they worked together. They helped each other get the MICROspikes on and all the kids took turns with the camera while they patiently waited for their turn to use the ice axe.

Even though they seemed to be getting along perfectly, by the time we were ready to head down after two hours at the lake they were a little snippy with each other. Thankfully, the hike back to the truck was a short mile and a half so they were soon back to their familiar surroundings and distractions.

If you want to learn more about ice axes or mountaineering there's no better book than Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills, 8th Edition. (Amazon affiliate link - click here for more info)

If you are in the market for an ice axe I'd recommend the Black Diamond Raven. (REI affiliate link) It's a solid axe that has served me well for over 10 years. Other stuff to get, too: an axe protector, a spike protector, and a leash.

Most importantly, get out on some safe snow and practice until it's natural. Then practice some more. Having an ice axe is cool, but if you can't use it instinctively it's not going to do you any good in an emergency. And don't think that once you know how to use an axe you're done learning. There's so much more to being safe in the mountains that you can study until you're too old to adventure.

Be safe and have fun. (And if you get to the summit, that's a great bonus.)