Modifying ice axe loops?

Sometimes, depending on the manufacturor, you can get two axes in one loop. On the MiniPosa, I can. But looking at yours I am not sure. Anyway, I don't care for them sticking out the sides. But, I only ever used one, anyway. I never did any serious ice climbing, just little stuff in the ADK's…mostly packed snow, or some boulders covered in a few inches of ice…

The weight saved would be small. Many hikers never use an ice axe, so simply cutting them off is the solution. If you do climb and know you will eventually be using the loops, I would just leave them on.

I don't climb, but I use ice axe loops for trekking poles now and then. They are very handy for lashing your pack on a camel :)

unless you climb steep to vertical ice (you apparently don't) you will never use two ice axes together. so if you are only concerned with going over mountain passes at some point in the future you can cut one loop off entirely because you will never use it.

as for the second loop it only weighs maybe 2-3 grams, so if you ever can see yourself using an axe in a hiking situation I would leave it be.
also, if you are slightly creative this loop can be used to carry your two hiking poles if you ever get tired of having them in your hands.

I stopped using special ice axe holders some years ago. These days I just stick them down the side compression straps. I do however have a piece of bungee to keep them in place any to make sure they don't fall of when I'm rappelling with an empty pack.

Here is two pictures of my last pack. Looking at yours you could probably add a small piece of bunge to help keep them in place if you ever feel the need to carry a axe in the future.

Edvin,

Your picture gave me a sense of adrenaline, envy, inspiration, and motivation that I haven't felt in a while. I may have to buy an ice axe this winter..