UKC

Hey

What axe's do people use for winter climbing? particularly mixed and difficult scrambles

Cheers, Will

In reply to CrankCrimp:

This may help: http://www.needlesports.com/Catalogue/Winter-Climbing-Equipment/Ice-Axes

In reply to CrankCrimp: I was looking at one of these last winter, they look good value. http://www.joe-brown.com/outdoor-equipment/climbing_technology_alpine_tour

In reply to OwenM:

I bought one of the Alpine Tour axes last year - the spike fell out on the first use!

It was replaced immediately and I was promised that it has never happened before, but I have yet to use the replacement in anger...

In reply to hairy51: I have an alpine tour that got some pretty rough treatment through the winter and it's doing fine, only damage is to the paintwork...

In reply to CrankCrimp: Had years of good service from my DMM Cirque, still get them for £55 brand new..great allrounder if not looking for a technical tool.

In reply to hairy51:


Things like that are a real bugger but do happen occasionally. If it makes you feel any better, I reviewed one for UKC and had no problems with it at all: http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=3300 (scroll down).

In reply to CrankCrimp:

I'm not sure what you mean by this, but easy mixed/difficult scrambles might be grade I and II or II/III mixed routes? In which case you will probably find a mountaineering/walking axe paired with any type of ice tool with a hammer will do you fine, as opposed to two matched tools. You'll spend a lot of the day just using the walking axe on it own on easier ground, hence a mountaineering axe does this better than half a pair of ice tools.

Get yourself a nice axe with a decent head and then whatever second tool you can find for a bargain.

In reply to TobyA:


Indeed, if anyone wants a cheap ice tool for this purpose I've got one to flog. http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=511407