I'm looking for advice on the purchase of an ice axe for use on glaciers and not too steep snow climbs. I've been looking at quite a few on the internet and would like some advice from someone who has used one they would recommend. Thanks.

Ask Bryan Benn how he likes his "walking ice axe." Years ago, ice axes tended to be a little longer.

You know SP has a search function right?

http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=42866
http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=19131
http://www.summitpost.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=29037

and those are just the most recent.


I'll summarize: The differences among glacier axes hardly matter. Get one that's cheap, light, and long enough to use as a cane. Most important, learn how to self-arrest.

I'm new to SP and still learning what it has to offer. Thanks for the links.

Safe answer: BD Raven. Comfy head, good adze, excellent self-arrest pick, not too heavy, pretty cheap.

If you're 5'10" to 6'2", get the 70cm.

Thanks Autoxfil! I'm 5'8" so I'll check out a smaller version. Appreciate it.

65cm will be just right for glaciers and easier snow climbs at that height.

BentGate has them on sale:

http://www.bentgate.com/ramoaxebybld.ht ... elid=FROOG

Check out the Raven Pro, unlike the Ultra it has a real spike and the Pro is lighter then the normal Raven. I'm 5'9 and found the 60 was just right for me - the 65 would have touched the ground when standing flat, not really the terrain you use an axe in. Its a good axe.
If you decide you are looking got it in a 60cm length I have one for sale in the gearswap. I'm now on the east coast and just ice climb these days

The thing I found about axe length is that it needs to be a little longer than you think, because when you plant it with each step it sinks into the snow a bit. The length also helps with the decent.

The main thing to remember is that it doesn't really matter. At 5' 11" I have climbed moderate snow with a 60cm axe (and with a 55cm tool), and I prefer the 70 or 75cm length. But the 60 did the job just fine, really. It's just not a huge deal. 60, 65, 70 - any of those will work fine for you. Shorter is nicer sometimes, longer is nicer sometimes, it's all tradeoffs and person preference.

By the time you decide you like or don't like whatever length you buy, you will have gotten some good use out of this axe, and will probably be moving on and doing different types of climbing anyway.

I have a Raven Pro but like the Raven better for general mountaineering. It's splitting hairs, though, both are great. Buy whatever is cheaper and don't look back. The 60cm Raven Pro for $60 is solid, I've done quite a bit of climbing with the same axe and really liked it.

I love my BD Raven. I would get nothing else and I don't think the weight difference of the pro version is enough to justify the cost. A little bit if weight can be to your advantage. I am 6'1" and the 70 cm is perfect for me.

Ya, my thoughts are that the Raven just feels like a lump of lead compared to the lighter versions and for ski mountaineering I find I prefer the lighter weight.
I think the way to size axes is from your straight arm to your ankle bone, for me that is 60cm. I find even with sinking into snow that is the right size for me, and its not too long to climb with, it does not stick up too high on your back too.
I think if you need something longer then that a ski pole works well most of the time.