Alpine piton hammer with leashless tools.

[DPS]

So, after a few attempts I've finally accepted leash less ice climbing as more than a passing fad. I bought a pair of Nomic copies (Grivel somethings). They don't have hammers or adzes, and even if they did the radical curve would make it very difficult to pound in pitons. Has anybody carried a light piton hammer with them along with their leash less tools? I likes my pitons, and I can't see a down side other than carrying a bit more weight. Thoughts?

[montypiton]

I always carry a handful of blades and z's, and regularly use them when ice gets too thin for screws. I also hammer bulldogs as blades in rock. I typically carry a first-generation Chouinard alpine hammer, bought in 1972,- use the pick mostly as a nut-tool - but I'm partial to the Forrest mjollnir with skye pick if I think I might actually have to use it to climb. I know, neither tool has been made for decades, but I believe BD still makes some version of that original alpine hammer. The Chouinard hammer is noticeably lighter than the Forrest, and I'm loath to go lighter than the Chouinard because my experience with lighter hammers has convinced me that its less work to carry the heavier hammer than hang on and bang at a peg half an hour to make the placement.

-Haireball

[DPS]

Thanks for your feedback. I have my eye on a Petzl Bongo, I think that would be a good balance between driving ability and carrying too much weight.

[genepires]

what about this grivel hammer. seems pricey

 

http://www.grivel.com/products/rock/belay_rappel/86-thor_hammer

[DPS]

I really wanted the older version of the Thor, the red one, but I could not find one anywhere. I ended up buying a Salewa, which was the lightest of the bunch, as well as the least expensive.

[diepj]

I hammer away with a petzl Quark. Its a little awkward with the curve but seems to do the job. If you want to really weld something a standard hammer and a little more head weight would certainly be the better option.

[G-spotter]

Take a look at the new Salewa North-X