edsta Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Just starting to get into more serious mountaineering, and am trying to figure out the best combination axe and a tool. I was going to go witha 57cm BD venom axe and a viper hammer. And then when i have more $$ get a viper axe. Would this be a good combo for ski touring and mountaineering. Or am i better to get a set of inbetween tools like the Aztars or dmm flys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarHeelEMT Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 I had a similar question not long ago and was able to get some input: http://cascadeclimbers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/880685/Second_Ice_Tool#Post880685 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarHeelEMT Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 From what I gather, it's a good idea to have a pair of tools like the flys that are good for technical climbing but also are good for "plunging." Hopefully we'll get some folks more experienced with technical snow and ice here to weight in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genepires Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Would really help if you defined "serious mountaineering" or give some goals you want to take the tools to. You mentioned ski touring and mountaineering, which would lend me to think you what you mentioned would be adequate (mtneering) or overkill (touring). If you had alpine ice as a dream or goal, I would say a pair of alpinish ice tools (aztars and other straight bottom, bent top tools) would be good. But people have gotten up alpine ice with 7 foot alpine stocks so I would bet that your mentioned tool setup would be adequate also, especially if your tick list wasn't very big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Piston Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Forgive the repeat picture from the thread TarheelEMT mentions, but I have used the combination you mention. I do mostly alpine climbing and not much serious vertical ice. The Venoms work really well and feel very secure for steep snow, alpine ice, and the occassional vertical steps. If you plan on doing technical ice, I'd suggest getting "real" ice tools. But, for the majority of alpine climbs in the Cascades the Venoms or something similar work great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMO Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I am using a 62cm Petzel Cosmi'tec axe paired with a 50cm Petzel Aztarex hammer for steep alpine ice/snow routes (N ridge Baker/Lib. ridge Rainier). So far so good... the angle cut "ferrule" on the Aztarex took me some getting used to though. This is a very light weight pairing that climbs great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake_Gano Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Has anyone tried fitting the BD Venoms with grivel slider leashless extensions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edsta Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 Thanks for the advice, i went for a grivel airtech evo 58cm. Now i'm on the hunt for a technical hammer. Looking at a simond naja or BD viper. I've heard BD picks arn't very good though. Has anyone had any experience with these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genepires Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 BD picks are fine. My only thing with their picks (and I am probably wrong) is I think they get stuck easier in cold waterice and they break easier than charlet moser and grivel picks. But these are cold winter things and shouldn't be a concern for summer activities. There a tons of BD fans out there so their picks must be good. I would probably pick a BD over a simond tool. (I used to have the old prophet and old cobra tools which were heavy unlike the modern stuff) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjc Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 On a related note, if anyone's interested in purchasing a Venom, I have a brand new and unused 57cm Venom Hammer with tags that I'm selling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t_rutl Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Thanks for the advice, i went for a grivel airtech evo 58cm. Now i'm on the hunt for a technical hammer. Looking at a simond naja or BD viper. I've heard BD picks arn't very good though. Has anyone had any experience with these? airtech evo good choice my man! pair it with a Grivel Matrix Light Hammer and you're solid and not even weighted down!! both have a good swing are great for plunging and both about 500 grams of no frills climbing bliss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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