Ice and Snow Gear

Featured review by Laurids Bartling

Great ice tool for waterfall ice and mixed climbing! Has taken me from Rjukan to the Alps and back again!

Great ice tool! I bought mine used though a friend (so I do not own the newest generation). It's been perfect for me, climbing WI 3-5 and mixed alpine routes. I can't think of much more to wish for in an ice tool. I was so lucky as to get different blades with the tool, so one for training, one for mixed, one for alpine, and one for water ice. Great swing, even without weights. The only thing I wonder about sometimes is that the tool sometimes feels a bit soft when dry tooling, like the blade is a bit loose.

Read more: Petzl Nomic reviews (3)

Featured review by FromSagetoSnow

If you have ever wondered if you need an ice axe, the answer is yes and this is probably the one you need.

When your mountaineering requires a little pick swinging, but not enough to justify a hybrid tool like the Black Diamond Venom (I lost mine, then bought another later) the Raven is a very good choice.  The Raven is my fourth ice axe. I have climbed Mt. Adams, St. Helens, and I just returned from using my Raven on my second summit of Mt Rainier. I've also used axes on several smaller summit scrambles. My needs are mostly along the lines of balance, self-arrest, and lower angle snow climbing (up to 45 degrees).  Conditions Tested I used the Raven on Mt.

Read more: Black Diamond Raven with Grip reviews (2)

Reviewed by Schifferj

The Petzl Leopard FL is an aluminum crampon featuring a Dyneema cord adjustment system. The crampon is so light you won't hate yourself for carrying them when you didn't need them. They are so easy to use and so effective you'll be glad you have them when you do need them.

Specifications: All aluminum construction optimized for snow travel Ten points (with dual front points) assure traction on icy terrain Very lightweight 360 gm/12 ounces for pair CORD-TECH optimizes volume when packed in their included bag  Tool free adjustment assures secure fit  Binding system suitable for use with hiking and approach shoes, without heel or toe welts Boot sizes 36-46 EU/6-12 US MSRP $169.95   Adjustment: The holes on the front piece allow for length adjustment of front points.

Read more: Petzl Leopard FL review (1)

Reviewed by FromSagetoSnow

When you need a second tool, but not necessarily a technical ice tool.

"You know when it's good picket snow when you drive one in and you really wish you had a hammer." These were the words of wisdom from my crevasse rescue instructor. He was basically saying that snow should be really hard if you intend to place a picket in vertically, otherwise you should bury it dead-man style.  "So I need to bring two tools?" I asked. "No," was his response. "Well if all I have is a hammer, then how do I dig in the snow?" What do you say to that smart guy? "With a shovel, which is way better than an ice axe, or dig with the picket itself," The guide countered. Oh, um OK, so I guess I don't know everything yet.  It makes sense.

Read more: Black Diamond Venom Hammer Ice Axe review (1)

Featured review by Ray Borbon

Other crampons I have used: Grivel G14 Grivel Rambocomp Stubai Ultralight Black Diamond Sabretooth Grivel G10 The Bad: The anti-snowballing plates on the bottom become damaged fairly easy when mixed climbing. The Good: Great performers on mixed terrain. A good variety of options for the binding systems. Light for a well built steel crampon. Broad and forward directed front points. Good for snow climbing. Easily adjusts to many sizes. Price Paid: $139.95 Review 11-23-2006 (by Ray Borbon): I picked these Petzl - Charlet Vasak crampons up in 2004 from Pro Mountain Sports in Seattle.

Read more: Petzl Vasak reviews (4)

Featured review by Ilia Slobodov

This is all the ice axe you need for any mountaineering objective that doesn't require a technical ice tool. There is simply no reason to own or consider using a more traditional / heavier ice axe, even for trips that involve mostly glacier walking. This axe is so light you'll never hesitate to bring it with you when other bigger axes might seem like a drag.

I've used this ice axe on a few dozen alpine climbing trips over the last two years in various mountain ranges in Washington and British Columbia. The best feature is of course its light weight which makes it less of a drag to carry on long approaches that are so common in the Cascades. The slightly lighter all-aluminum version is less useful because of the aluminum pick and spike, but the Nanotech version with its steel pick and spike is all the ice axe I've ever needed. Shortly after getting the Corsa Nanotech, I did a long glacier climb and decided to bring my old Raven Pro ice axe for more walking comfort.

Read more: CAMP Corsa Nanotech reviews (2)

Featured review by Aris Kondylides

Great versatile steel crampon for hard snow and icy conditions, in flat terrain, mountain uphill, and vertical faces.

I had initially chosen the Black Diamond Serac Clip for my first pair of crampons, but they had been unavailable for quite some time up until a few days before my outing, and amongst available options I chose the Sabretooth Clip (Hybrid). I am glad I did, as I got a lot more versatility for the same price and weight. Bindings, compatible boot types and suitability for flat, uphill and vertical ice These crampons (C2) are more technical without sacrificing suitability on easier terrain, due to the shape and orientation of the secondary points which allow to climb on icy vertical faces.

Read more: Black Diamond Sabretooth reviews (3)

Reviewed by Tam McTavish

Awesome multi purpose ice axe/tool hybrid. Climbs ice better than expected, and performs great as a ice tool. A perfect choice for the scrambler who wants a more climbing oriented axe, an alpinist looking for a tool to get across glaciers, snow, neve, and alpine ice, or the jack of all trades axe that can do it all.

The Sum'tec is a terrific all round mountain tool. It's definitely an odd combination between a mountaineering axe and an ice tool. The tool definitely seems to be a perfect blend coming together as the perfect multipurpose alpine tool. As a an ice tool they are almost as curved as the Quark. The picks are fairly wide, 4.5mm, and they have rather blunt teeth, all in stainless steel. To me this seems a mistake. Any improvement in durability is offset by the challenge to sharpen them. Being replaceable picks I didn't see the need for added durability of stainless steel.

Read more: Petzl Sum'Tec review (1)

Featured review by De La Cruz

The benchmark mountaineering crampon that most people need. This will get you up any mountain in the world.

This is the crampon 90% of people need. I have climbed vertical ice, steep snow, and even dry tooling. Sure, there are better crampons for really steep stuff, but if you only want one crampon, this is a good one. Steve House climbed Nanga Parbat Royal Face in this. Stevie Haston climbed Scotch on the rocks in this. I find it fits my boots well (La Sportiva and Hanwags models) and the Newmatic (toe strap, wire heel) gives a totally secure fit. If your boots are extremely asymmetrical you would want a different linking bar.

Read more: Grivel G12 reviews (3)

Featured review by Cody Padrnos

This axe is strong, light and comes pretty sharp out of the box, though I did sharpen it more. For spring, winter or fall I take this thing up the mountain. Great design!

I have used this axe as an anchor, a walking tool, a chopping tool and arrest tool. It is versatile and a great companion for my mountaineering journeys.

Read more: Black Diamond Raven Pro reviews (3)