Are you ready to make up your winter game? If the answered is YES, then It’s time to go ice climbing and mountaineering!
Whatever, the path of ice climbing is a unique and challenging adventure,. An ice picking and special equipment is required when crossing snow and ice fields to cut through the crystal ice or to immerse the spike of a mountaineering ax through the snow. Besides, some tools already in your gear closet may be replaced, such as climbing harness and dry rope or insulated boots, for example. Others are more specific to work, such as crampons and ice axes, these are designed to take your adventure to new, extreme levels, and different axes are designed for different tasks.
What to Look for in an Ice Axe
What is generally considered to be an ice ax is actually a mountaineering ax.
It usually has a long shaft and a spike at the bottom that is used to immerse the tool in snow and ice . Here, you can purchase extra when crossing hard snow and ice terrain. Therefore, the fixed head of the ax has a peak and horizontal adge. These is used for climbing, digging snow anchors and glazing.
Besides, Mountaineering axes are available in a variety of lengths (ideally the tip of the spike is at your ankles or just above you when next to you) and is usually used on the upper side of the slope when climbing. These are usually not to maintain your full weight while climbing a more vertical surface like a waterfall.
What to Look for in an Ice Tool
Ice tools are designed for more rigorous misuse and are used in pairs. These are shorter, often more curved, the head of the trench is stronger and the peak is made of tougher, stronger steel. It is designed so that it hangs on ice repeatedly and will not be damaged even if it hits rocks or other materials.
Besides, they are also designed to keep your body weight hanging from them, even when placed horizontally where a significant amount of torque is placed on both the head and the shaft and can break a low ax. However, some are designed for mixed climbing (rock and ice climbing), others are more specifically designed for ice climbing.
Another way to tell the difference between the two types of axes is that many ice tools have heads where picks can be replaced and other items like hammers and adhesives can be added to one side of the tool head. So, o they are more versatile tools. Than the axis of mountaineering. Thus, The decent mountaineering axis is available for less than $ 100, while most ice equipment costs more than $ 200.
How We Selected ice tool/Axe
Axis was chosen for their specific use and choices were made based on personal experience, expert reviews and customer reviews. Since both mountaineering and ice climbing are still far more niches than many other outdoor activities that have an intimate knowledge of the axis and their proper use foremost.
As a result, you have seen and selected products from leading brands such as Black Diamond, CAMP US, Cassin, Grivel, Petzl which are widely used in their respective fields. Besides, you evaluated the sorting style and the availability of additional options. On the mountaineering axis it is mainly available around the shaft size.
Additionally, You may be seen and selected products from leading brands like Black Diamond, CAMP US, Cassin, Grivel, Petzl which are widely used in their respective fields. Furthermore, you may be evaluated the sorting style and the availability of additional options. On the mountaineering axis it is mainly found around the shaft size.
Technical Mountaineering Axe: Petzl Summit Evo Ice Axe
| Key features: Size (s) / Weight (s): | 52 cm / 400 g, 59 cm / 420 g, 66 cm / 450 g |
| Head type: | Stainless steel fixed head, pick with adges |
Petzl Summit Evo is a versatile mountaineering axe for alpine climbing. Although it is primarily designed for technical mountaineering, it is also great for hiking and glacier travel.
CLASSIC MOUNTAINEERING AXE: Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe — Anodized Light Gray
| Key features : Size(s)/Weight(s): | 55 cm/428 g, 60 cm/445 g, 65 cm/462 g, 70 cm/478 g, 75 cm/495 g, 80 cm/512 g, 90 cm/528 g |
| Head type: | Stainless steel fixed head, pick with adze |
If you’re looking for a classic mountaineering ax, look no further than the Black Diamond Raven Ice Ax. Available in seven shaft lengths, the Raven can accommodate small people and children up to 7 feet tall.
A PACKABLE ICE AXE: Petzl Ride
| Key features : Size(s)/Weight(s): | 45 cm/240 g |
| Head type: | Stainless steel fixed head, pick with edges |
This short, technical ice ax is ideal for ski mountaineering and alpine rock climbing adventures where keeping it inside a backpack instead of outside can help protect it from getting stuck on rocks, trees and other things when climbing cliffs and steep cliffs. It has the lightest ice axis and the lightest with steel head and adges.
AFFORDABLE TECHNICAL ICE AXE: Trango Raptor
| Key features : Size(s)/Weight(s): | 49 cm/575 g |
| Head type: | interchangeable steel pick, accessories available |
Additionally, It might seem silly to call a $ 174 tool cheap — especially considering the needs of the two of you. Therefore, the Trango Raptor weighs more and picks up the least expensive technical ice pick on our list. This ice tool is at home on steep ice climbs and can handle some medium mixed climbs.
