Field of application, inspection and additional information with instructional pictures.
Glacier
Description
Lightweight performance ice axe for glacier travel.
Lightweight performance ice axe for glacier travel, with a meticulous design and finish. The GLACIER ice axe offers very good anchoring qualities in hard snow and ice, thanks to its very high quality steel pick, guaranteeing both solid bite and durability. It also has an anodized aluminum shaft with a machined handle for excellent grip.
Description
Lightness and comfort:
- the upper part of the pick offers excellent grip (comfortable supporting surface)
- the pick and the shaft are lighter, yet extremely robust
Very good anchoring qualities in hard snow and ice, thanks to:
- the profile of the pick, for sure and stable anchoring
- the toothed steel pick, thinner and durable at the tip (3 mm)
- the stainless steel spike, for very good penetration in hard snow
High strength and practical aspects:
- high-quality steel pick (identical to picks of technical ice axes)
- very strong steel adze with with an edge designed for efficient cutting of steps
- head and spike equipped with holes for clipping a carabiner or attaching a sling
- high-quality aluminum shaft (7075 aluminum, used in aeronautics), with anodized finish for excellent rust protection
- handle cut into the shaft provides better grip when used for technical ice climbing
Retail price
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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. | 350 g / 12.35 oz 60 cm: 350 g / 12.35 oz |
Best Use![]() ![]() Best 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. |
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. |
60 cm, 68 cm, 75 cm |
Head Details![]() ![]() Head 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 Rating![]() ![]() Ice 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 |
Materials![]() ![]() MaterialsThe materials, as stated by the manufacturer / brand, of the pick, head, shaft and grip. | Pick: Heat-Treated Steel Head: Heat-Treated Steel Shaft: Aluminum 7075 |
Certification![]() ![]() CertificationsThe 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 |
Warranty![]() ![]() WarrantyThis isn't super common, but sometimes the manufacturers will state a specific warranty such as "3 years against manufacturer defects" |
3 years against manufacturer defects |
No reviews yet.
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This axe is best for snow climbs and easy to moderate glacier mountaineering routes. It performs similarly to its closest competition, the Raven and the Raven Ultra, offering a few advantages like better steep snow climbing and adze performance, though it wasn't quite as comfortable to carry in the self-arrest position. It was a strong contender for our Best Buy Award and deserves a note for those scanning the market for a solid all-around model that won't break the bank.
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