Stupid light, pretty good
by KrisBrauer on 03/31/2020Pros
Super light
Pick is exceptionally sharp
Cons
Hard to use on hard snow/ice
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch
Corsa Nanotech 2019
Description
The second lightest ice axe in the world!
Sandvik Nanoflex® steel pick and spike for durability and strength.
Ideal for snow travel and self arrest.
Can be used as an anchor for glacier rescue and traversing cornices.
Nylon spike plug on all lengths keeps ice out of shaft.
CC4U wear indicator warns when the pick is dull beyond the safe limit.
Optional sliding leash (1305) easily attaches to shaft.
The most advanced mountaineering ice axe on the market. Employs the same 7075-T6 aluminum alloy as the hyperlight Corsa, but features innovative Sandvik Nanoflex® steel reinforcements on the pick and spike. The steel components dramatically increase the durability and strength of these critical points without significantly increasing the weight of the axe. In addition, the Corsa Nanotech has an aggressive single-curve shaft that provides better clearance without interfering with walking or plunging performance. Can be fit with either the sliding leash (1305) for mountaineering or the Alpina leash (1304) for alpine climbing.
The second lightest ice axe in the world!
Sandvik Nanoflex® steel pick and spike for durability and strength.
Ideal for snow travel and self arrest.
Can be used as an anchor for glacier rescue and traversing cornices.
Nylon spike plug on all lengths keeps ice out of shaft.
CC4U wear indicator warns when the pick is dull beyond the safe limit.
Optional sliding leash (1305) easily attaches to shaft.
The most advanced mountaineering ice axe on...
read moreRetail price
US$ 159.95
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Weight (g / oz) | 250 g / 8.80 oz The manufacturer only lists weight of 50 cm axe, which is what we’ve listed. We’re working on finding the weights for the other sizes. |
| Best Use |
Ultralight Mountaineering |
| Length Options (cm) |
50 cm, 60 cm, 70 cm |
| Head Details | Adze |
| Ice Rating | Pick: B / Type 1 Shaft: B / Type 1 |
| Materials | Pick: Sandvik Nanoflex® Steel Head: 7075-T6 Aluminum Shaft: 7075-T6 Aluminum |
| Certification |
CE, UIAA |
| Warranty |
|
A great axe by itself for ski touring, scrambling or low grade snow and ice mountaineering. Suitable for bigger missions if you paired it with another tool with different features.
The Corsa Nanotech is a versatile axe designed for intermediate and advanced mountaineers, or simply for anyone who understands the benefits and limits of a lightweight aluminum axe.
It excels on a summer snowpack when access requires a long approach. I think it can also serve as an emergency “just-in-case” axe—since it only weighs 249 grams, I’m more likely to bring it along on a trip even if I’m not sure I’ll use it.
When light is right, CAMP is proving they are the go-to guys. They took their Corsa ice axe, added a curve to the shaft and a steel pick and spike. This adds negligibly to the weight of otherwise all-aluminum axe, which now tips the scales at all of 8.7oz. About the only way it's going to get any lighter is to fill the shaft with helium.
The all-aluminum Corsa (7 ounces) is the lightest ice axe made. Now, for a few ounces more, you can get the Corsa with Sandvik Nanoflex stainless-steel reinforcements on the pick and spike. Nanoflex is a proprietary stainless steel that, according to Sandvik, is corrosion proof, and lighter and stronger than both carbon steel and titanium. According to CAMP, Nanoflex is 60 percent stronger than carbon steel, so they can use less metal per product to achieve the same or greater strength.
The Corsa Nanotech was designed to be a high altitude and ski mountaineering tool and as such it excels. Its super light weight means that it can be thrown on a pack "just in case" at little cost. This makes it an ideal axe for climbers who are looking to go light and fast without compromising their safety on snow. Paired with an ice tool it makes an excellent combo for alpinists looking to move quickly over moderate terrain. This is the lightweight mountain axe and deserves the Alpinist Mountain Standards award.
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