Abstract: The present invention features an ice screw for use in ice climbing, wherein the ice screw comprises: a hollow shaft having a plurality of screw threads formed thereon for securing the ice screw to a body of ice; a hanger coupled to the hollow shaft for receiving a carabiner and supporting a climber; and a flexing crank handle coupled to an aperture or eye formed within the hanger, wherein the flexing crank handle functions as a crank arm for screwing the ice screw into the body of ice, and wherein the flexing crank arm displaces or flexes from a resting, cranking position to a plurality of flexed positions in response to a load induced thereon. The flexing crank handle reduces the chance for cross-loading of an attached carabiner due to the existence of a crank handle without requiring any manual manipulation (e.g., folding) of the crank handle once the ice screw is inserted into the ice structure.

Abstract: An ice axe device comprising a handle having a gripping end and a working end and an impact member attached at the working end. The gripping end is configured about its longitudinal axis with a smaller, forward curvature and a larger, rearward curvature. The smaller, forward curvature is approximately defined by a radius slightly smaller than a corresponding radius of an arc formed at an inner surface of the user's fingers when wrapped about that portion of the gripping end. The larger, rearward curvature is approximately defined by a larger radius which is slightly smaller than a corresponding radius of an arc formed by a users palm and a proximate inside portion of an extending thumb when wrapped around the gripping end.