SummitPost.org

Joe White wrote:

b. wrote:

kovarpa wrote:

welle wrote: I know somebody who leads WI4+ and 5s on leashed quarks. That's burly!

why? easier to hang with the leashes.

Leading WI4 on two leashed piolets is burly. Quarks are like cheating. I know about 30 people who lead ice this way, although the alpine leash is the new hip way to keep your tools from plunging while you put in a screw. That's been my system for the last couple of years. Quarks are awesome for WI4-5. But if I were going to spend a bunch of money on tools, I'd just give it up for the Cobras. It's a whole different level.

random question...sorry.

Where do you think the Petzl Aztar's fit into the mix?

b. wrote:

Joe White wrote:

b. wrote:

kovarpa wrote:

welle wrote: I know somebody who leads WI4+ and 5s on leashed quarks. That's burly!

why? easier to hang with the leashes.

Leading WI4 on two leashed piolets is burly. Quarks are like cheating. I know about 30 people who lead ice this way, although the alpine leash is the new hip way to keep your tools from plunging while you put in a screw. That's been my system for the last couple of years. Quarks are awesome for WI4-5. But if I were going to spend a bunch of money on tools, I'd just give it up for the Cobras. It's a whole different level.

random question...sorry.

Where do you think the Petzl Aztar's fit into the mix?

They look like a less aggressive curve than the quark, but still fine for all but the steepest ice and drytooling. The biggest problem is the lack of rests for leashless climbing. Those tools would be perfect for alpine ice, up to WI4. I'm sure you could get up a WI5 with them as well it's just more work to get the swing right with the lesser curve.

The New Quark:
- super light, a bit shorter, and similar clearance to the old Quark.
- Will replace the old Aztar and Quark.
- Almost everyone I let use this tool said it was the best swinging tool they have ever used.
- Swings similar to the old Aztar or Aztarex but has more clearance and better grip.
- My 'go to' tool for WI 5 and below.

Joe White wrote:

b. wrote:

kovarpa wrote:

welle wrote: I know somebody who leads WI4+ and 5s on leashed quarks. That's burly!

why? easier to hang with the leashes.

Leading WI4 on two leashed piolets is burly. Quarks are like cheating. I know about 30 people who lead ice this way, although the alpine leash is the new hip way to keep your tools from plunging while you put in a screw. That's been my system for the last couple of years. Quarks are awesome for WI4-5. But if I were going to spend a bunch of money on tools, I'd just give it up for the Cobras. It's a whole different level.

random question...sorry.

Where do you think the Petzl Aztar's fit into the mix?

Joe White wrote:

b. wrote:

kovarpa wrote:

welle wrote: I know somebody who leads WI4+ and 5s on leashed quarks. That's burly!

why? easier to hang with the leashes.

Leading WI4 on two leashed piolets is burly. Quarks are like cheating. I know about 30 people who lead ice this way, although the alpine leash is the new hip way to keep your tools from plunging while you put in a screw. That's been my system for the last couple of years. Quarks are awesome for WI4-5. But if I were going to spend a bunch of money on tools, I'd just give it up for the Cobras. It's a whole different level.

random question...sorry.

Where do you think the Petzl Aztar's fit into the mix?