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.
Retail price
US$ 159.95
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Weight (g / oz) Weight (g / oz)In grams and ounces, the weight, as stated by the manufacturer/brand. Since the most common ice axe length is 50cm that is the main length that we reference. When available, we list the weight for each length here. | 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 UseBest UseUltralight MountaineeringThe lightest axes available, used most for ski mountaineering, adventure racing, and other "go light" ascents. 350 grams is usually the max weight. The decreased weight means they are axes are built for snow missions, not ice. MountaineeringThis is the most common type of snow mountaineering axe. These axes are above 350 grams and are a great balance of weight and durability. There may be a grip and they will always have an adze head (and no matching hammer pair). These axes are great for snow and can handle chopping steps in ice, or other small ice scenarios. Technical MountaineeringThese axes are for tougher conditions when the majority of climbing is on snow, but the axe needs to be able to handle a short ice wall. They generally have a bent shaft and T-rated (more technical) pick. Often these beefier axes will have a rubberized grip and they may have a matching adze and hammer version. They're basically the offspring of an ice axe and ice tool. |
Ultralight Mountaineering |
Length Options (cm)Length Options (cm)Measured in centimeters, the best length is based on your height and ape index (arm length). Holding the axe in your hand, the spike (sharp end) of the axe should arrive around your shin. At the max size, it should go to your ankle. Two people of the same height could need a different sized axe, based on arm length (t-rex vs monkey). If in-between sizes, our bias is towards sizing shorter. Rule of Thumb
Worth ConsideringThere are other resources online that suggest a longer axe is a plus and that you should measure below the ankle. We absolutely disagree. A longer axe means you'll be tempted to use it as a trekking pole (which will put you off balance), or you'll have to give your arm a huge workout just to lift it in and out of the snow. Ice axes are meant to be used on the uphill side, which is already much higher. |
50 cm, 60 cm, 70 cm |
Head DetailsHead DetailsThis refers to the back of the ice axe head (opposite the pick). 
For ice axes, adze's are (by far) the most common. An adze will allow you to break ice by chopping or shoveling in a specific area, and they also provide more room to hold on to the head than a hammer does. This grip helps for arresting too. Hammers are usually only used as a pair with an adze on the other axe (hammer's are much more common in ice tools than ice axes). A hammer uses a more broad force to break ice bulges. | Adze |
Ice RatingIce RatingThe certified rating of the pick and the shaft. These ratings might not match each other. There are only 2 possible shaft ratings: B / Type 1 / CEN-B: Basic | Pick: B / Type 1 Shaft: B / Type 1 |
MaterialsMaterialsThe materials, as stated by the manufacturer / brand, of the pick, head, shaft and grip. | Pick: Sandvik Nanoflex® Steel Head: 7075-T6 Aluminum Shaft: 7075-T6 Aluminum |
CertificationCertificationsThe main climbing gear certifications are CE and UIAA--and normally the UIAA creates the rules that the CE body also supports. When possible, we try to list all the certifications the product carries. To sell a climbing product in Europe, the device must be CE certified. There are no official requirements to sell climbing gear in the US. The UIAA certification is a voluntary process. For ice axes, there is a separate certification for the pick and the shaft. Learn MoreRock and Ice Certifications Guide |
CE, UIAA |
WarrantyWarrantyThis isn't super common, but sometimes the manufacturers will state a specific warranty such as "3 years against manufacturer defects" |
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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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