I 10-4. IDENTIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION
a.
Axe, Ice, Mountain. Locally Procured (Figure 10-1 ). The axe consists of a head and tines fabricated of chrome-
molybdenum or tool steel with a hickory handle and nylon wrist strap. The handle is fitted between the tines and
extends into the head without penetrating it. A spike is held in the end of the handle by a ferrule and rivet. The
nylon wrist strap is fastened to the handle by a sliding ring. The motion of the ring is limited by a stop in the handle.
b. Hammer, Hand, Piton. M IL-H1431, NSN 5120-00-255-7560. The piton hammer (Figure 10-1 ) consists of a 9 oz.
head fabricated of steel with a hickory handle and Ieather wrist thong. The handle, which extends through the ham-
mer bed, is tightly wedged in place and further secured by metal retaining strips which extend through the ham-
mer eye and along the handle. The wrist thong is Iaced through a hde in the handle. See Figure 10-1.
c.
Piton, Mountain; Steel, MIL-P-1474D.
NSN
TERRAIN USE
DESIGN
8465-00-240-2971
Horizontal
8465-00-240-2972
Rock
Short Vertical
8465-00-240-2973
Rook
Water
8465-00-240-2974
Ice
Tubular
8465-00-240-2975
Angle
The piton (figure 10-1) is fabricated of steel; consisting of the piton body, collar, and shackle, with or without ring. It is
a metal spike which is driven into ice or cracks in rocks as an aid in mountain climbing. There are five distinct types of
pitons. See Figure 10-1.
d. Snap Link Mountain, Piton; NSN 8465-00-360-0228. The snap link (Figure 10-1 ) is fabricated of alloy steel;
consisting of a hook keeper, and pressure pin. It is an oval shaped metal ring with a hinged gate to permit fasten-
ing to a rope or piton. See Figure 10-1.
e. Crampons, Mountain. The crampons (Figure 10-2) are constructed of an alloy steel, with ten (10) spikes on the
underside, and with neoprene straps for attachment to boots. The crampons are used to provide traction while
traversing ice fields, glaciers, and crusted snow.
f.
Creeper, Ice. MlL-C-l 476A, NSN 8465-00-240-2953. Constructed of steel with spikes on the underside and is
provided with web straps for attaching to shoes or boots. It is primarily used to prevent slipping when walking
on ice or hardpacked snow. For further identification see Figure 10-3.
10-2
TM 10-8400-203-23
