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hosh
Sep 29, 2007, 8:27 AM
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So I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've ever posted to the ice forum, but I have a rather general question. I don't climb ice, nor do I ever really aspire to, but does anyone own the Petzl Aztarex? And if so, how does this axe perform on vertical ice?
hosh.
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dcaldous
Sep 29, 2007, 3:14 PM
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I haven't climbed on the Aztarex but I have used a friends Aztars. They performed pretty well. I don't think I'd want to do much leashless climbing with just a pinky rest and no grip.
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reno
Sep 29, 2007, 5:55 PM
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hosh wrote: So I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've ever posted to the ice forum, but I have a rather general question. I don't climb ice, nor do I ever really aspire to, but does anyone own the Petzl Aztarex? And if so, how does this axe perform on vertical ice?
Tried 'em. Hated 'em.
Knuckle bashers unless you pay close attention to your swinging motion.
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stymingersfink
Sep 29, 2007, 6:48 PM
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hosh wrote: So I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've ever posted to the ice forum, but I have a rather general question. I don't climb ice, nor do I ever really aspire to, but does anyone own the Petzl Aztarex? And if so, how does this axe perform on vertical ice? hosh. 
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rocknice2
Sep 29, 2007, 9:38 PM
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The Petzl Aztarex is more a tool than an axe. It's too light and has no grip.
It's what you'd carry as an extra tool in case you drop one or for super light alpine acsent which has very little vertical climbing.
As for this axe being used on vertical ice, I would choose something else.
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hosh
Sep 29, 2007, 10:18 PM
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My intentions were to have a set of ice tools around for glacier crossings where there may be the ocasional vertical ice section. But I'm not looking to climb ice, per se.
hosh.
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angry
Sep 30, 2007, 3:02 AM
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I was rather comfortable with a 70cm mountain walking type "piolet" on all but the most technical sections of glacier.
You probably should get an axe and have a spare little tool. It will cover anything unless you go searching for more vertical stuff.
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hosh
Oct 2, 2007, 7:54 AM
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I've got a BD Raven that I use on the glacier, but I was looking for a cheap set of decent tools that would get the job done on Glacial approaches. There's a lot more rock on the other side of the ice, unfortunately. I would rather the forest service put in a nice path, maybe one that you could ride a bike on. But I understand that this would be impossible on a moving glacier, for some reason or another. Thus, I'm stuck with the ice axe dilemma.
hosh.
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stymingersfink
Oct 3, 2007, 2:17 AM
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hosh wrote: I've got a BD Raven that I use on the glacier, but I was looking for a cheap set of decent tools that would get the job done on Glacial approaches. There's a lot more rock on the other side of the ice, unfortunately. I would rather the forest service put in a nice path, maybe one that you could ride a bike on. But I understand that this would be impossible on a moving glacier, for some reason or another. Thus, I'm stuck with the ice axe dilemma. hosh.
well then, go with the compromise that works passably well for both jobs... the BD Venom
edit to add: you'll need a pair to cover technical ice ground. get one of each, swap out the classic pick for the reverse-curve pick if you're planning on more ice than snow. OTOH, if you're not anticipating chopping many bivy ledges or steps, just get a pair of hammers with the Tech pick already installed. After all, the pick+hammer combo will chip ice away, just not as efficiently as an adze will.
(This post was edited by stymingersfink on Oct 3, 2007, 2:22 AM)
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kane_schutzman
Oct 3, 2007, 4:50 PM
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I use the Camp Alpax, and a BD Viper. The Alpax is T-rated, and the pick is actually very sharp, looks llike it would be good on ice. I figure it is fine to use the Alpax on short vert ice(havent used it yet) but the combo is lighter then carring two specific ice tools+a mountaineering axe.
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stymingersfink
Oct 11, 2007, 9:13 PM
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hosh wrote: stymingersfink wrote: well then, go with the compromise that works passably well for both jobs... the BD Venom edit to add: you'll need a pair to cover technical ice ground. get one of each, swap out the classic pick for the reverse-curve pick if you're planning on more ice than snow. OTOH, if you're not anticipating chopping many bivy ledges or steps, just get a pair of hammers with the Tech pick already installed. After all, the pick+hammer combo will chip ice away, just not as efficiently as an adze will. Thanks for the input! I'm pretty sure that I'm sold on the venom (that was actually another tool on my list of possibles)... My next question is can that thing be used with an android leash? That may be the make or break point for me... hosh.  ) and the Viper Android (made specifically for the Viper... and perhaps the new Cobra too). Get the standard Android leash.
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