Lightest Technical Ice Axe

Heavier ice axes allow you to easily hook the pick into ice and snow while climbing steep slopes.

Lightest technical ice axe.

Ergonomic high end ice climbing and dry tooling axes. 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. It is also ideal for lightweight and technical mountaineering. Light ice axes are best for glacier travelling hiking and general mountaineering while heavier ice axes are useful for ice climbing and technical mountaineering.

Its incomparable modularity means it can also be used for hard ice climbing. A longer but still lightweight and somewhat technical axe is wanted. Technical alpine approaches on steep snow and ice where some actual climbing may be required. This non modular axe climbs steep snow and ice routes and navigates complex glacier routes like a champion.

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. 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. The x light is the first ice axe on the market to respond to these drawbacks successfully. It s long lightweight and fairly straight so it performs well for general mountaineering and ski touring.

If we could only have one ice axe for a wide range of activities the petzl summit evo would be it. In this selection of the best ice axes we only listed lightweight ice axes. The camp usa corsa ice axe is quite possibly the lightest weight ice ax in the world weighing just 8 8 oz 250 grams in a size 60 cm length. Quark versatile ice axe for technical mountaineering and ice climbing.

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. 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. While most at home on challenging routes it s still light and comfortable enough to be used by nearly anyone. The petzl glacier literide is a compact and lightweight ice axe for ski mountaineering and glacier travel.

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. It can perform almost all the functions you need in an ice axe and is well within a reasonable budget. The black diamond raven is a very simple but classic ice axe. Gully ultra light ice axe for technical mountaineering and steep skiing.