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Group use crampons/ice axes

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 Bee_1 01 Nov 2012
I'm looking to acquire some basic crampons/ice axes for my uni mountaineering club. Anyone have any suggestions as to what would be best? At the moment I was thinking DMM cirque for the axes, but not sure which crampons would be best (C1).
to give some background, would only be used for winter walking and very basic climbs ( not above grade I. What would be the best length ice axe to get which the majority of people could use?

Sorry if this sounds a bit stupid, I have my own equipment but have never had to buy group winter stuff before!
 Monk 01 Nov 2012
In reply to Bee_1:

I've always gone for the cheapest, most robust stuff I could find. I think that the last time I did it, I bought a bunch of Grivel Munro axes for around £45 each. They aren't as nice as the Cirque, but they are perfectly adequate and it isn't quite as galling when they are left by the roadside as the bus leaves... Length-wise, we bought a selection, with the majority around 65cm, but with a couple of longer ones for giants and shorter ones for smaller people.

Similarly for crampons, I went as cheap as I could find. I bought a mixture of basic Camp ones (Ice Riders?) anf some flexible BD crampons that were on offer. They work just fine and don't break the bank. One thing to watch out for is the minimum size - we found that many crampons don't fit on the smallest girls' boots very easily. Get the most adjustable ones you can.
 Monk 01 Nov 2012
In reply to Monk:

In my opinion, something like this http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/north-ridge-snowline-crampon-p193163 would be a good buy for a club.
OP Bee_1 01 Nov 2012
In reply to Monk:

Thank you, that's really helpful!
 TobyA 01 Nov 2012
In reply to Monk: I wonder who makes them for GO? Interesting.

I would look at the basic Climbing Technology ones. I reviewed their 12 point all rounders and they are absolutely fine and cheap http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=3300 I think they do a 10 point as well.
 Monk 01 Nov 2012
In reply to TobyA:
> (In reply to Monk) I wonder who makes them for GO? Interesting.
>
> I would look at the basic Climbing Technology ones. I reviewed their 12 point all rounders and they are absolutely fine and cheap http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=3300 I think they do a 10 point as well.

In some of their material, I think that they have said that Grivel make gear for them. They also have their own-brand version of the Grivel Munro axe for about £5 cheaper.
 Cameron94 01 Nov 2012
In reply to Monk: The grivel monte rosa crampon is what GO uses as it's in house crampon.
 martinph78 01 Nov 2012
In reply to Monk: 10% extra off this week as well, taking them to £63.

Made by Grivel, just have North Ridge straps (rest of crampon says Grivel on it!).

I have the Grivels, my mate has the North Ridge, good crampons fit most boots (Meindle Burmas to La Sportiva Nepals) at a bargain price I think.
 stuart58 01 Nov 2012
In reply to Bee_1: we bought the ice rider crampons for our scouts a few years a go they were crap. The cheapest are not as lways the best.

Two tips dont cut any straps to a short length
Dont cut any bridging pieces buy addsome spare ones of long and short lengths.


If you ask go outdoors they will do some groip dis


 Jonay 01 Nov 2012
In reply to Bee_1:

£40 for this axe, speak to a store manager see if they'll discount you for bulk buying or part as a orginisation.

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/product/climbing-technology-alpin-...

£50 for the version with a grip (I prefer the grip)

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/product/climbing-technology-alpin-...


 Cameron94 01 Nov 2012
In reply to Bee_1: I have the first axe that jonay pointed out, it's what I use for my walking; cracking value mountaineering axe, t rated diffrent, lengths, come's with leash and grip patches.

I added hockey stick tape to mine to act as grip aslo ment I could have 30cm covered rather than 10 at the bottom of the shaft.

 Jonay 02 Nov 2012
In reply to Cameron94:

Until it started to unravel and dye your gloves yellow!
 Cameron94 02 Nov 2012
In reply to Jonay: Oi it dyed the snow yellow not my gloves, the unraveling I agree with. After cutiing about an inch from the bottom it was fine and stopped unraveling when I plunged it.

To the OP; My point was you can buy the axes cheap then chuck some tape around them(it comes in diffrent qualitys). End result is a good mountaineering axe that doesn't cost a fortune.

You could always go with the Grivel munro for £47

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