In reply to Doug:
> What tools did Smith & Marshall use for routes such as Orion Face, Tower Face of Comb Buttress or Smith's route on Nevis ? Or Patey, Brooker & colleagues on various routes on Lochnagar such as Eagle Ridge or Pinnacle Face ? - just one axe ?
On Orion Face, didn't Smith use one old straight axe plus the poker from the CIC Hut?
I once completed a solo ascent of Green Gully on the Ben with just one Curver axe, after the leash system on my other tool - an old Salewa North Wall Hammer - failed, resulting in me dropping it halfway up the 4th pitch.
That kind of situation certainly does wonders for improving your crampon technique
Post edited at 18:53