Scoffster

Anyone else glimpse that new Nomic (sans ergo grip) in the latest Patagonia catalogue???

Nice report Julian--Thanks! Check out the mother ships we climbed on 1/16! http://www.flickr.com/photos/30133037@N03/ Here's a good SE ice vid. (The ice behind Shannon during the narrative is another wall not too far from Starshine that comes in every year--1/2 dozen routes WI 3-5). SS

What brand of tools are they using? I remember a similar one with belay device in its head.

I've broken pics and this can happen more than occasionally. Grivel's hold up pretty good but I've heard of BD's tips snapping more frequently. It seems more practical to carry only a spare pic up a long route or when you're in a remote setting for few days. As for the rubber scrunchy thing, compare the head size of just about any BD or P/CM tool to Grivel's. Their new design is much smaller (at least 1/2 the width of a Viper or Quark) and I'd imagine a bit more difficult to rest your palm upon while working your way up 800m of neve. Hence the rubber scrunchy provides an alternative grasping point. (Another strike against this particular design.)

Though I'm a huge fan of Grivel products and greatly appreciate all they do for the community, what's up with their new tools? Specifically, I don't get the head configuration. If the pick goes on the Matrix (Light or Tech) or Quantum one will have to replace the entire hammer/pick configuration. Who wants to lug one of them up a long route? Bit Perplexed?