An ice axe device and method has an adjustable grip (14). The ice axe includes an elongated shaft (16) with opposite proximal (20) and distal (24) ends. A pick (22) is disposed at the distal end (24) of the elongated shaft (16), and a grip (14) is disposed at the proximal end (20) of the elongated shaft (16). A pommel (28) is adjustably securable to a proximal end of the grip (14), and is movable towards and away from the grip to respectively shorten and lengthen a length of the grip. At least one spacer (70) can be selectively disposable on the grip to selectively shorten and lengthen the length of the grip.