Ice screw having breakaway or flexing crank handle

A flexing crank handle for use with an ice screw, said flexing crank handle comprising a hanger for driving said ice screw:

• crank support means for attaching said flexing crank handle to said hanger of said ice screw;
• a flexing member operable with said crank support means and configured to enable said flexing crank handle to displace by flex in response to an induced load, and to automatically return to said resting position without the need for manual manipulation;
• and
• a sleeve coupled to said flexing member at an end opposite that attached to said hanger.

A method for correcting existing and potential cross-loading of a carabiner coupled to an ice screw inserted into a body of ice, said method comprising the steps of:

• obtaining an ice screw, said ice screw comprising:
• a hollow shaft having a plurality of screw threads formed thereon for securing said ice screw to a body of ice;
• a hanger coupled to said hollow shaft for receiving a carabiner and supporting a climber;
• a flexing crank handle coupled to said hanger in a substantially stationary manner, said flexing crank handle functioning as a crank arm for screwing said ice screw into said body of ice, said flexing crank handle being configured to displace by flex from a resting position to a plurality of flexed positions in response to a load induced thereon, and to automatically return to said resting position without the need for manual manipulation;
• grasping said flexing crank handle and screwing said ice screw into said body of ice;
• and coupling a carabiner to said hanger, wherein said carabiner, in the event of cross-loading, causes said flexing crank handle to flex to allow said carabiner to disengage and free itself from said flexing crank handle and to assume a normal operating orientation.