I've been testing my Grivel Condor today on the walk along Tarmachan Ridge. I'm pretty impressed.
Since the device is fundamentally designed for ski touring and self arrest only, and it stated in the instruction that it shouldn't be use as an ice tool (never handle the tool by the pole when the pick is opened), I suspect whether it is as useful as a proper walking axe.
My test today turns out - the axe stayed on the rucksack all day - the Condor does everything I need a walking axe for - capability for self-arrest, daggering, placing the pick into hard snow/ledges for tricky descents. The handle is very comfortable too, specially for daggering as it keeps my knuckles dry! It just save me changing from poles to axe every time when the slope turns steeper. In fact I wonder why I'll ever need a walking axe again? (If it's any steeper I'd use my climbing axes.)
Any different thoughts? Anyone else have tried it?
