O/T What do the locals use in Nepal for an Ice Axe

not2sharp

not2sharp

Platinum Member
Joined
Jun 29, 1999
Messages
20,453
The khukuri may be versatile, but it can't do everything. Usually, when you look at other cultures that have developed around high elevation, you find a series of speciallized tools that have been developed just to help people get around. Everything from snow shoes, to crampons, to ice axes, to ice canes are commonly found. Ice is a dangerous and common foe at higher elevations, and only the foolish and desperate would go on it unprepared.

I have seen a few photos showing sherpas getting around with what looks like little more then a wooden stick for support. That sounds crazy for a society that has advanced metal working skills. Perhaps that reflects on how uneducated and improverish unskilled porters can get. I still would suspect that there would be a far more advanced tradition among those who make a professional living either hunting or guiding, or trail making in the high country.

Has anyone seen any locally made examples of these traditional tools.

n2s
 
Maybe it it weren't for the crazy Westerners paying them to travel where such tools are a necessity, the locals would have little reason to go such areas??

Not so long ago, hob-nailed boots were used instead of crampons--for several early attempts at Everest, in fact. One of those is thought to have possibly reached the summit before being lost on the mountain. Of course, lots of guys with the latest-and-greatest gear have been lost there too.
 
Climbing shops generally have western ice axes. I've never seen anything locally made but I stayed out of the ice and snow regions.
 
The ice equipment wouldn't be necessarily for climbing. It is more closely associated with mountaineering; i.e. hiking in winter conditions.
299890Pre1920iceaxewalkingstick.jpg


This is a nice example of a European Chiupaga Walking Stick. It dates to the early 20th century or late 19th century and has a steel axe head protected by a nice brass guard. While not a technical axe, it would have been used to help travelers while treking through the country side.

n2s

I suspect there may have been something similar in use in Nepal.
 
I get your point, n2s....

I used the Everest example to point out that crampons which nowadays are considered almost essential for much less steep travel, (as hinged versions) like a nearly horizontal glacier traverse, were only employed recently for anything , and attempts were made to climb Everest without them. I wonder how many of the items now thought to be required for activities that are often recreation, are really required by those knowledgably existing in the same enviroment with maximum efficiency. Many of these items might be handy to have around, but not at the expense of something else. Could they afford a khuk and an ice axe??

People can live under amazing circumstances when they truly adapt their behavior (and culture) to their environment...like the African bushmen, or Australian Aborigines, or the original natives of Tierra del Fuego. To live thus requires much more attention to acquiring basic neccesities with little time for anything else, as well as constant exposure to risks and discomforts most find impossible to tolerate today. Myself included. Not to mention years of learning. Staying alive is one's career.

This is an intriging point that you've brought up-- now I'm also curious about items used by ordinary Europeans living in the icy mountains, or the South American natives that left burials on the tops of the Andes. The axe-staff you've shown obviously belonged to someone relatively well-off and probably was somewhat of a status symbol. With what was the poor laborer who traveled in the same conditions (or likely worse, while the rich guy stayed inside and warm) equipped? And in the 15th or 16th century?

Deep snow travel also seems to be something that would be much easier with specialized equipment. I know of skis in the Nordic countries and snowshoes North America, but that is about it. What does a Nepali do when faced with 6-8 feet of soft snow?? Is this always avoidable?
 
Great walking stick. Beautiful. Thanks for pix.

I'm out of my league when it comes to ice and snow and anything associated with such conditions. Ice and snow :barf:
 
Were does your Walking Stick came from N2Sharp
Click to expand...

The style is known to have been used in Hungary and Poland. Chiupaga seems to be the Polish reference, and Fokos is the Hungarian term. Hungary prohibitted making the steel headed version of these walking sticks in 1920, and they stopped making them alltogether after WWII. Today, you might be able to find newly made display copies of these walking sticks (with crude brass axe heads), or even entirely wooden tourist versions. But, it is hard to find a good real one with a steel axe head.

The Sovietski Collection imports one of the currently made versions (item #206233)
Check it out at:
www.sovietski.com

n2s
Here is the direct link to the Sovietski stick:
http://secure.sovietski.com/cgi-bin...4037f6c149c4ec0a80a1206a9/Product/View/206233
 
RE Sovietski Collection

Thanks for the link!!

Some interesting stuff in the "outdoor" section.
The "siberian axes" look like they might be a good deal, for example. Or a pair of mora knives with leather sheaths for less than $20.

And who doesn't need a tactical electric submersible????

150501.jpg
 
I like the coffee cup holder on that thing.
Click to expand...

:D Sharp eye!!!

And note how it's cleverly placed behind the driver so his body shields it from the water rushing by which might otherwise knock the cup out. Those guys really thought of everything. It's the perfect holiday gift....
 
They are still making the fokos in Hungary... I've got a couple of links saved somewhere (they are buried in my bookmarks). I'll try to sort them out for you.

The main one I'm thinking about sells the fokos head...looks just like a tomahawk head to me... the other one sells the whole thing.

Alan
 
Nice stuff and thanks. I might need one if the weatherman is correct -- but that cuts the chances of need considerably.
 
Yeah, Thanks for the great pics,not2sharp! Fancier than what I am going to make.We have lots of big hills here,some pretty rough country,and snakes.I can use my fokos to pin down the heads of the snakes and save them for my mother-in-law.And NO,witch doesn't get any of my mushrooms,just snake nightmares!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top