The author, ice axe testing in Alaska last spring. A healthy spread- Left to Right: Blue Ice Hummingbird, Camp Corsa Nanotech, BD Venom LT, Petzl Gully, Blue Ice Akila Ice axe anatomy Pick: The “blade” of the axe, used to swing into ice or during a self-arrest maneuver. There are two main pick shapes…
Ice Axes for Skiing: A Primer
A healthy spread- Left to Right: Blue Ice Hummingbird, Camp Corsa Nanotech, BD Venom LT, Petzl Gully, Blue Ice Akila
Responses
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Gotta say, BD seems to have knocked it out of the park with the Venom Lt. Less than 10 grams over a Petzl Ride buys you a real spike and replaceable pick (not that I use mine enough to need that)?
And then there is the versatility: get the add ons, and reconfigure it for each trip.
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As a fun side note:
On our trip in Switzerland last year, our guide skied with a traditional, solid wood shaft axe with a forged steel head a few of the days. He said it’s part of Swiss mountain guide exams, and they have to buy one (for several hundred France’s).
He said that while it’s heavy, nothing chops steps like that thing, so he brings it on days where he told us to leave crampons behind, and the weight didn’t matter.
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