Ice axe length for ski touring reddit. That’s all I ask for.
- Ice axe length for ski touring reddit. I’m 170cm (5’7) and 70kgs Advanced/aggressive on piste skier but just beginner to touring. What's the general opinion? Good skis? I am 182cm (5 feet 11 inches) tall. At what grade does an ice axe become mandatory, like WI3? WI4? Typically your ice axe when ski touring is much shorter, since you're not really using it to walk up/down, but rather climbing steeps / sidehilling steeps. Ski Mountaineering and Short Ice Axes As the title implies, I'm looking at picking up a Petzl Summit for climbing colouirs and steep snow. Most resources for ice axes focus After researching 56 of the best backcountry ski poles on the market today, we bought 17 models to test and compare. Longer axes will facilitate descending and downclimbing. My aluminum summer axe is 55cm. Hybrid axes also generally feature a more drooped pick angle and shape (to provide a better swing into ice) and the ability to switch the adze for Lot's of sources online on how to easily make your own for cheap. I use the Osprey Mutant 38. I intend on climbing Whitney this year and I need to pick up an ice axe so I can practice with it before the hike, my eye caught the Venom Ice Axe from Black Diamond, I prefer Black Diamond since I get a discount there, but does anyone have any recommendations? or will the Venom On gentler slopes in the past people used really long axes, but now the mainstream thing is to just use a trekking pole in one hand and a shorter axe in the other. Usually ski IMO beginner mountaineers are too eager to get a second axe than use good technique with one. they are like the top of an ice ax that attaches to the top of your ski pole. It's pretty old school to have your arm at 90° angle. I’m 6’5 and use a 75cm. I’m typically never winter climbing, and summiting during the March - Sept mountaineering season. I'm looking to get an ice axe for this season but needing advice on styles, length etc. So I saw someone mention that long axe's like the petzl summit are something newbies use and all experienced mountaineers use something like the petzl ride and trekking poles. I'm 5'11 and it'll be used mainly when splitboarding. com The joy of ski touring is in efficiently travelling through the winter environment, reaching a summit or col to then enjoy the descent that follows. Personally I have three ice axes and I use them all a lot each year. I ski chutes, bowls and glades, with a focus on having fun and finding good snow. Skinny (95mm) ski for groomers but still has enough width and rocker for some soft snow - DPS Cassiar 95 Medium width (101mm) ski with reasonable weight and tip/tail rocker for touring, spring snow and left over powder - Moment PB&J Fat (122mm), light, surfy ski for pow days - Solomon Rocker2 I am Magic Tape is superb. I have downhill skis in length 180cm and feel comfortable with them (Black Crows). Our team of ski and A traditional shaped ice axe head might be better for self-arrest. It is "For general mountaineering, a 70cm ax is the best choice for the majority of climbers. Seriously, skis and boots weigh as much as my summer backpacking kit) so I want a pretty robust suspension system, and everything is sharp (metal edges, ice axes and crampons all do a number on fragile fabrics). Explore the best mountaineering ice axes for different climbing styles, with tips on selecting the right axe for self-arrest, glacier travel, and Ultralight, Non-Technical Axe This category serves many purposes. That’s why many more advanced climbers prefer shorter axes - they just don’t need the ax until things are quite steep, they’re fine with ski poles or nothing until then, and on that steep terrain a shorter ax will be better for swinging or dagger position or other things than We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. You dont need ice axes if you're not going to fall, and you dont fall on gentle Google ice axe sizing and go with that - stand straight up, hold ax where handle meets head (like a cane), and ax should be around top of ankle. I typically recommend that your arm is just below and 90 degree angle. When the terrain will be steep I use my ax with an ice tool or two ice tools. A modern 3 antenna beacon is a huge improvement. What length do you ski inbounds? Really any of those lengths could work for you. Straight handle, no rubber grip, and ankle bone length is my preference for a basic ax, others may have different preferences. Just needing more volume than my standard daypack can carry once crampons etc. do you worry much about the spike on your pack while riding down? I have a 55cm axe so relatively short, but the spike end still sticks up a bit over my day pack. For skiing I'm a fan of just voile strapping a light weight axe like a petzl gully to your poles instead of bringing a whippet that just isn't very useful on the skintrack. But if you start doing steep stuff, then a short and slightly curve axe is better. Whatever long axe you can afford will serve you well. Last year my daughter had my wife switch skis with her while skiing. As for length reasons - search goes up to 2+ meters deep, with short probe each time you must to bend, time and energy waste. For most of us, it is (or should have been) our F, 5’1”/155cm, solidly intermediate ice coaster (can ski blacks in control on piste, am not proficient with moguls or trees/off piste). come into play. I'm considering buying one of those hybrid axes but after climbing for Consider the snow conditions (mostly pow or hardpack), how fast you want to ski (mostly FAST so in my case, sizing around my height or longer), how heavy you are (shorter skis float worse) and ability (short skis turn easier in pow for intermediates, but I would rather jump turn a long ski than give up speed/stability). And prioritize stiffness and dampness vs length stability but your priority might differ. I ski 146s, twin tip. Double length nylon sling girth hitched to the head of the ice axe and girth hitched to your harness. Learning how to size an ice axe is crucial to technical mountaineering. Mostly envision myself doing a couple of uphill turns in-bounds early in the day for exercise, but perhaps some sidecountry and east coast backcountry with friends if conditions are good. two ice axes Hey guys , For me it seems that if you climb with two axes on snowy,rocky sections you get more anchoring/holding opportunities?!especially on rock sections you can build anchors through the Ice axes to get a better hold ?! What do you think about it? If you're planning to use this on glacier slogs just bring a normal ice axe, especially if you're not planning to ski down anyway. Home / Gear Guides / We get to grips with the best ice axes 2025 We get to grips with the best ice axes 2025 Alex Roddie reviews the best ice Over the last 10 years, we've tested over 21 of the best ice axes on the market. It is measured from the tip of the axe to the top of the There are many types of ice axes for a whole spectrum of winter activities – from ski touring and glacier walking, to good old exploring UK mountains in snow. com I have a roller 2 ski Bag, and a ski sleeve, I put my powder skis in the sleeve and put that in the roller my other skis go in next to that with my helmet, foam roller, skins, and cramp ons to pretext my skis from shifting, in the little boot holder thing I fold up Hello. I went to a shop and got measured for an ice axe. . Hi! I’ve got a question regarding touring ski length I’m looking for some new touring skis that are >95mm underfoot as all round touring skis, they should be good to ski couloirs and steep stuff too though. For versatility I go with the Petzl Summit. One Ice axe vs. Learn how to size your ice axe, the parts of an ice axe and key features to consider. Now, I want to start mountaineering, and for my beginner tours, I believe I need an ice axe. It can be used to self-arrest, which means using the axe to stop oneself from sliding down a steep slope. At full size it’s ideal for mountaineering-type stuff, and with the brain removed it gets down to about 30L and is great for ski touring and climbing. But don’t plan on buying a second one in an effort to use it for climbing that would require two tools. I'm considering the Petzl Literide which is Choosing ice axe length ski mountaineering how to select reddit outdoor gear for steel climbing rainier vs height touring - expocafeperu. Straight shaft (or continuously curved shaft axes) are going to be nicer for plunging the shaft in softer snow. What other benefits are there? Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for ice axes for mountaineering. How do I decide which to pick? After years of renting, I’m finally ready to purchase my own ice axe for summits in the area (Adams, Hood, Helens, Rainier). Hey after some advice for a touring set up. I bring my second TOOL for legit water ice climbing, but that's it. Logic being that if it's flat enough that you'd need the extra length from For easy ski tours (40° slopes or less, not exposed terrain), boot crampons and ice axe are not needed at all. By my math it seems quite short. I actually find my longest axe (60cm Raven If we could only have one ice axe for a wide range of activities, the Petzl Summit Evowould be it. My axe of choice for that route was a BD Raven Ultra in 55cm. There's no reason to bring 2 sharp things to impale oneself otherwise (again IMO) or the weight. Hockey tape for grip, a bit of foam on the top of the axe covered and compressed by duct tape works well for insulation. First time buying an ice axe and I'm not sure which length to get. I also already own Dalbello Lupo AX 120 Touring boots. Finding the best ice axe can be tricky. For touring, I tend towards 170cm to save weight and for easier hairpin bends. In this update, we select 17 of Get it for mountaineering, knowing that it’s more capable than a traditional axe and can also climb gullies, couloirs, and mixed ice and snow better than a basic axe. Why are length adjustable poles useful? The only thing I can think of is their ability to be made really short so to be easily strapped to a pack. Needing an ice axe to take on Mont Blanc and a load of other peaks I had my eye on, the Grivel G-Zero stood out as a lightweight ice axe The ice axe constitutes an element of the necessary gear for ski touring, allowing safe progress during climbs, as well as on some descents. Exterior helmet carry and compartment for fast roping (though I haven't used that particular The ice ax carry on my pack is next to useless, especially for a shorter (45-50cm) ax, sometimes I’ll shove the ax (s)in my avvy pocket but it makes it harder to get out on a boot pack. The skis are available in 170cm (5 feet 7 inches) and 177cm (5 feet 10 inches). According to the old advice, all of his ice axes are at least 10cm Find out how to choose the right ice axe for your intended use. Would be willing to climb just about anything shy of vertical ice with it, Looking to grab a lighter ski and throw on a Shift 13 binding to use as a touring ski. The venom is best for routes Best length for ice axe what do i need pct reddit outdoor gear steel climbing rainier ski mountaineering height touring - expocafeperu. This non-modular axe climbs steep snow and ice routes and navigates complex glacier routes like a champion. I love hiking and snowshoeing and the dynamics of alpine An ice axe can provide extra security and stability when traveling on snow-covered or icy terrain. As I have never been in the higher mountains in the winter before, this will be my first experience with snow and more technical routes. Some durability is good because my skis spend quite a bit of time on my back for spring/summer approaches, booting couloirs, climbing short ice pitches, etc. A longer axe is good for this. I really stay away from ice for the most part, but may use it to get up a 5ft section of an ice slab/bulge, but generally not purely vertical. you will soon get a solid idea of your wishes. While most at home on challenging routes, it's still light and comfortable enough to His most frequently used ice axe is 56cm, and he even uses a 45cm ice axe for ski objectives. In this article, we Compare Ice AxesCompare Ice Axes Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. More important than the brand name of the FWIW I like top loaders with removable lids, decent suspension for bootpacking, a dedicated avy tool pocket or organizer and 2 ice axe loops. 79K subscribers in the alpinism community. Double length dyneema sling girth hitched to the head of the ice axe and girth hitched to your harness. My wife was shocked to realize that she could turn the 15cm longer ski and how much I am a teenage alpine racer who is seriously considering get alpine touring skis this year. Bent shafted ice axes are generally nicer for daggering on hard snow / neve, since you can keep your hand at the bend Blue ice's kume is the best pack I've used by far. Generally speaking, this is the type of axe most people prefer, when they are only using one axe (no second tool - for slopes of ~50 degrees or less). And I am 6ft and my long one is a 70cm Raven Pro. Shovel flat profile, aluminum, don't look at smaller ones. Currently skiing 85mm/178cm rocker/camber/rocker (Salomon QST 85) About me: aggressive skier, 189cm tall, 80kg I‘ve found some Fischer Hannibal 96mm/176cm skis for a Looking for advice on how to size an ice axe for walking or mountaineering? Our in-depth guide explains the differences between ice Mountaineering ice axes vs ice tool grades I'm looking to get into ice climbing but only have a straight shaft ice axe for mountaineering/ski touring. I use them for backcountry skiing, but I also use them for glacier travel in some situations - one smaller more technical axe packed for the steep, and one whippet for the long walks. The most important factor of an ice axe is its length. Keep the old one to I ski almost exclusively in the Tahoe Basin and Mammoth area, primarily shorter 5-6 hr max tours because I’ve got two young kids at home. Most people that advocate for longer ice axes claim you need then extension in order to get leverage when self arresting. Rent some skis. The helmet, ski crampon, and ice axe suggestions people are making is more nuanced than people have acknowledged in this thread so far. Think Petzl gully/ride. Great all around ice axe, handles steeper terrain, and is quite comfortable paired with an ice tool when it gets too steep for an axe alone. So if you want just one, get a Raven around 70-75. I am looking into buying a Petzl Summit Evo for starters, but as I am looking to climbing a bit steeper routes and ravines in a year or two once I get enough I’m trying to buy my dad skis for his birthday and he needs a pair that will do well on ice and typical East Coast snow (he mainly skis in PA and VT), but also be able to handle light powder when he comes out to ski with me about once a year in OR. Are they capable of climbing that sort of terrain? Yes, but actually tools are better. I held a 65cm and a 60cm and the employee said my optimal length is smack dab in the middle of the two. What used to be common advice is now outdated. My touring skis are sized down 1 size because I’m trying to save a bit of weight on the up. com I feel like everyone outgrows (technically speaking) there first Ice axe after there first mountaineering experience and wants something slightly more technical . Another option is the Black Diamond Whippet which is a trekking pole with an ice axe head made for ski touring it can also work on glaciers. What length ice axe should i get reddit by height ankle outdoor gear for steel climbing ski touring vs sizing chart - expocafeperu. I'm getting into backcountry ski-touring. I erred longer and it works well. I recently was getting into ski mountaineering and discovered whippets. Reply [deleted]• Additional comment actions [removed] Reply AlligatorDeathSaw • Additional comment actions I have somewhat heavy telemark skis, a 60cm ice axe, and old school rigid automatic crampons (boot bellows don't work with semi rigid). Beacon yes get a new one. My requirements are: 40L-ish capacity Decent waterproofing (it rains!) Diagonal+A-frame ski carry Helmet/axe carry (doesn't need to be built in) Thinking something like like Ortovox peak light How much do you prioritize having back-panel access to your technical ski-mo packs? Is side-panel access sufficient? Who of you just love top-access The best ice axe for winter hiking and backpacking 2025 including Lightweight Hiking Ice Axe from Petzl, Black Diamond, Grivel, and more. For a short hybrid I use a 60cm. 9/10 for ski objectives one can get a good 2 points of contact without a second tool or turning onto the toes. When I was younger I was never allowed to buy free skis because I would grow out of them in a season, but now my gs skis are longer than my dad’s and the middle point of my sl and gs skis is right around the length of his free skis. I prefer an ice axe that is good and comfortable for self arrest rather than as a walking cane. First of all, Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Also, you get a lot more reps/laps in during a day of resort skiing compared to backcountry Ice ax length depends as much on steepness of terrain as on height, the steeper the terrain the shorter the ax. What is the opinion here? Give me the hyperlite headwall 55, with an option for diagonal ski carry by turning one of the ice axe loops into an extendable loop for days where I only carry 1 ice axe, and a side zipper for easy access to the main compartment. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Super light and a workable length. Grippy, insulating, waterproof, and quite durable. You will encounter a wide variety of snow types in the backcountry so it is good to practice more than just bombing down groomers. That’s all I ask for. What do An ice axe, in the context of modern technical skiing, is a different beast relative to mountaineering axes of Good Positrack/Fishscale skis to mount SLAB Alpine 13 bindings I had a reimbursement through work that was coming to an and, so I pulled the trigger on the Salomon S/Lab Shift MNC 13 Alpine Touring Ski Bindings 110 MM. Ski boot off! You're flipping It over and holding your hand underneath the basket to make up for the added height of your skis and boots. I'm 5' 2" and pretty light at 100 lbs. That said, I think the Petzl Summit is Glisshop explains how to pick the right ice axe for backcountry skiing and ski Length – Most mountaineering axes come in increments of 5cm, usually ranging from 50cm-70cm, although smaller and longer sizes are You don't have to be the best alpine skier around to start ski touring, but it is a good idea to get competent at "off piste" or non-groomed skiing in the resorts. Probe plus shovel are easy, a lot of skimo packs have ice axe loops and crampon pockets, but most of the bags don't show how you would attach your skis to the pack. Best one-stop Ice Axe for occasional ski mountaineering and everything else ski touring? For those who occasionally carry an ice axe for steep / icy ascents. I currently use a 50cm ice axe for ski mountaineering. Big objectives and dawn to dusk tours are a rare occurrence and will remain so for another few years. I am currently in the process of buying winter mountaineering boots, crampons and ice axe. So with a shorter axe head-down, the shaft won't be an issue. I've searched extensively on Reddit and the internet about ice axes and found a variety of opinions. I'm from Switzerland and I want to start with easy high mountain tours, such as the Breitenhorn or Sustenhorn via the normal routes. You don't need to take off your ski every time it gets icy and slippery - it all depends on the terrain. For any tape or insulation I also really like the rubberized waterproof gloves sold at many small hardware stores. I think that anyone who is thru-hiking should carry one of these over an ice ax as it weighs a lot less and makes a dual-use out of your trekking pole. Also because bushwhacking. Really you are splitting hairs though and for what you are doing, you can make almost anything work just fine. Heyo, looking for input on a pack for longer spring days/overnights in the PNW. The length of the basket and tip is about the same length/height of your skis and boots. They're not as well known as some other brands but their features are very well thought out. This length offers the best compromise of balance and appropriate length for use on Assuming your Petzl Glacier is an appropriate length it'd be perfectly fine for any of the standard routes on the mountains you mentioned. It has two ice axe loops, ski carry, and rope carry, and is incredibly comfortable. I widdled down my quiver to 3 skis for resort and backcountry here in Vermont. Rossignol makes some good carving skis where it's very easy to learn to master carving. I added it to my ice tools at first for higher grip, but now it's also on my ski touring poles. I have the 30L, comes with A frame, side or diagonal ski carry options; separate avy compartment, removable frame and ice pick attachment points. I am looking to purchase a rope for glacier travel and ski touring and I am wondering what length glacier travel rope you use? The Petzl RAD line is 30m Mountaineering and ski touring ice axes: discover our selection of lightweight and functional ice axes designed for high-altitude ski touring and ski mountaineering. But, I wouldn’t want to carry any ice tools for ski touring because they’re heavy - what do you want to do with a single ice tool while touring? You’d be better off with an aluminum hybrid tool specifically for ski mountaineering. Also make sure the width of the ski is less than 82 to make it easy to tip in groomers and tackle ice. But here's the thing--if you fall on a steep section where your only hope is self arrest good luck stopping yourself. As everyone starts to gear up for thru hikes and early season snow travel, I thought I’d write an overview on ice axes. zfk itmuda hxjywq gcupa sab oqjdur pawr nzssfw vpxkz kloj