Warnings, general information, maintenance, servicing, lifespan and instructional pictures.
Apex Adze 2023
Description
Despite its aggressive appearance, the Apex is comfortable across a wide variety of terrain. The shaft curve has been precisely designed to give clearance and stability on steep ground while remaining effective when plunging, daggering and moving on easier angled snow slopes.
The Apex is fully T rated, and the head and handle are double riveted onto the lightweight aluminium shaft. This robust construction lets the Apex handle the burly nature of winter climbing
The hot forged handle also strikes a balance between performance and versatility. A straight design with a spike on the base makes plunging the Apex into snow and ice easy when moving on less steep terrain. The upper and lower hand rests allow hand matching, crucial to the Apex’s performance on steeper ground.
Dual handrests allow techniques such as matching, maximizing the performance of these tools when leashless climbing on steep terrain.
Picks feature removable weights that adjust the balance of the swing. Adding weights helps the pick cleanly strike hard ice, while removing them reduces weight for mixed climbing and dry tooling.
The curved shaft of the axe creates clearance for reaching over bulges on ice and rock, allowing you to climb on steep ground more easily. It also reduces the angle of the handle when the axe is hooked on a feature, making climbing on steep terrain less tiring and more secure.
The clip in points on the base of the axe handle allow the axe to be used as an anchor. Inboard eyelets can be threaded with cord for attaching Freedom Leashes.
Grip Tape lets you insulates the axe shaft, protecting you from hot aches and allowing more of the axe to be used as a hold.
DMM axes are T rated, making them tough enough for modern mixed climbing techniques.
Steel picks are strong and highly durable. They are laser cut, and then CNC machined for high performance on ice, frozen turf and rock.
The Switch and Apex are available with a full size adze for easier ice clearing and ledge chopping in mountainous terrain.
The Switch and Apex are available with picks that maximize either performance on either ice or mixed terrain. The ice pick has a pronounced taper to its point, for efficient penetration of thick ice and reduced dinner plating. The Mixed Pick has a less tapered profile to increase hooking stability and the durability of the point when torqueing in cracks.
The spike allows the axe to bite into ice and break through snow, giving you greater stability when walking and plunging.
Retail price
US$ 259.95
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Weight (g / oz) Weight (g / oz)In grams and ounces, the weight, as stated by the manufacturer/brand. The weight is the packaged weight. If there are differences in weight (due to optional accessories) we'll note them here. | 673 g / 23.73 oz |
| Length (cm) | 50 cm |
| Head Details | Adze (pair: Apex Hammer 2023
) 2 Screw adjustment |
| Ice Rating | Pick: T / Type 2 Shaft: T / Type 2 |
| Picks | Included with the tool: Ice Adze Pick Other Picks Available: Ice Hammer Pick Mixed Adze Pick Mixed Hammer Pick Mixed Mtn Adze Pick |
Pommel & GripPommel & GripUpper PommelFixed: An upper pommel that is fixed in place (it cannot move up/down the shaft nor can it be taken off). Adjustable: An upper pommel that can move up and down the shaft. Removable & Adjustable: An upper pommel that is completely removable and also adjustable. Removeable: An upper pommel that is either on or off (it cannot move up/down the shaft). None: If there is no upper pommel that comes standard (there may or may not be options to buy separately). Lower PommelFixed: A lower pommel that is fixed in place (the angle cannot be changed nor can it be taken off). Adjustable: A lower pommel that can change angle or location on the tool. Removable: When the lower pommel can be removed but not adjusted. None: If there is no lower pommel that comes standard (there may or may not be options to buy separately). | Upper Pommel: Removeable Lower Pommel: Removeable Grip Size: 1 size fits all (not adjustable) |
| Materials | Pick: Steel Head: Steel Shaft: 7075 Aluminum Grip: Injection Molded Rubber |
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. Learn MoreRock and Ice Certifications Guide |
CE, EN, UIAA |
Ice Pair Reference
Picks it comes with
Interchangeable Picks
Ice Tool Acces. Ref
No reviews yet.
Overall, I will be reaching for these tools for both guiding and personal climbing on moderate ice and mixed terrain. For upcoming alpine trips in bigger ranges, these will also be in my kit since they are more than capable of withstanding battering. For really steep ice and harder mixed terrain, I'll still reach for my Petzl Nomics, though, as the wrist-to-tool-head angle is more anatomically inline in overhanging terrain and causes me less strain.
DMM Ice Tool and Ice Axe
Details of DMM Apex Ice Tool