Piton assembly

An improved ice piton assembly suitable for fixing in an ice-like medium comprising:

• a tubular externally threaded hollow shaft having a first end that is substantially bevelled and
• having a second end with a truncated configuration so that when measuring from said first end, there is a point of maximum length on said second end and diametrically across from said maximum length point, a point of minimum length,
• said shaft possessing a slot extending along a portion of the length of said shaft through said minimum point of said second end, and
• at a distance removed from said minimum point of said second end, a first flange and a second flange separated by a ring attachment positioned over said shaft, the first portion of said ring attachment comprising a bolt head-like multifaceted peripheral surface and immediately adjacent thereto a second portion comprising a circular peripheral surface, and
• a handle attachment, having at one end, an opening positioned between said first and said second flanges, the interior of said opening having the configuration comprising facets sufficient to mesh with said bolt head-like multifaceted peripheral surface and when at rest capable of rotating freely around the circular surface of said ring attachment said handle at the other end thereof having an opening suitable for attaching a carabiner thereto;
• a notch substantially positioned through said shaft at the point of maximum length to which is fixed an ear piece extending above said shaft and said first flange, said ear piece having a horizontal bottom lip piece that rests in said notch, said ear piece being affixed to said shaft and said flange.