Lightest Technical Ice Axe

For more technical mixed climbing where you re not just swinging the axe this is an advantage but for pure ice climbs some users might appreciate the addition of pick weights to give the head more oomph and penetration.

Lightest technical ice axe.

Despite its lightweight it is a fully functional uiaa certified b ice ax capable of being used for self rescue glissading and strong enough to be used as a belay anchor. A longer but still lightweight and somewhat technical axe is wanted. Heavier ice axes allow you to easily hook the pick into ice and snow while climbing steep slopes. While most at home on challenging routes it s still light and comfortable enough to be used by nearly anyone.

The x light is the first ice axe on the market to respond to these drawbacks successfully. At just 531g increasing to 601g 612g for hammer adze this is the lightest of the more technical axes on review by some margin and has a nice neutral balance. Nomic ice climbing axe. Technical alpine approaches on steep snow and ice where some actual climbing may be required.

A 2 nd tool for big alpine missions where a solid workhorse of an axe is needed a lot but an extra tool may be required for shorter sections. Light ice axes are best for glacier travelling hiking and general mountaineering while heavier ice axes are useful for ice climbing and technical mountaineering. The black diamond raven is a very simple but classic ice axe. However if you want the lightest option for self arrest in moderately steep terrain combined with snow anchor options and securing a traverse the camp usa corsa is the best lightweight ice axe.

If we could only have one ice axe for a wide range of activities the petzl summit evo would be it. The petzl glacier literide is a compact and lightweight ice axe for ski mountaineering and glacier travel. It can perform almost all the functions you need in an ice axe and is well within a reasonable budget. Quark versatile ice axe for technical mountaineering and ice climbing.

Its incomparable modularity means it can also be used for hard ice climbing. It s long lightweight and fairly straight so it performs well for general mountaineering and ski touring. Ergonomic high end ice climbing and dry tooling axes. Other options for a lightweight ice axe are the more versatile black diamond raven pro see above or the more technical camp usa corsa nanotech model see below.

It is also ideal for lightweight and technical mountaineering. Gully ultra light ice axe for technical mountaineering and steep skiing. Ice pick for ice and mixed climbing designed for ice axes with modular heads. In this selection of the best ice axes we only listed lightweight ice axes.