Best ice axe use reddit. I hope this helps. I only feel like 4 categories have very clear winners for "best" weapon. I would say it is more important to have good traction devices. They're a little heavier, but otherwise good products. I'm investing in the legiana switch axe right now, but is ice element worth it or not? Seems like a fair share of monsters are immune/resistant to it Share Add a Comment Sort by: Best Open comment sort options Best Top New Controversial Old Q&A fredminson • We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. May 1, 2025 路 Explore the top ice axes for ice climbing, with expert recommendations on the best tools for performance, safety, and durability. Low or high snow, hikers starting out from KMS in late May could make good use of an ice axe. There is some overlap between technical axes (like the north machine or quark for example) and ice climbing, but if you'll still end up with something not good most of the time, having the right tool for the job makes a huge difference. For the crampons, I am undecided on these (using petzl but can be similar of another brand) Vasak Sarken Lynx I would use them on easier stuff, but might eventually try steeper terrain - though very unlikely ice climbing for a few years, and if I reach that point, I can buy more technical Im currently watching the descent and saw they have ice axes. Apr 28, 2025 路 Explore the best mountaineering ice axes for different climbing styles, with tips on selecting the right axe for self-arrest, glacier travel, and technical climbs. Trekking poles are great for providing stability on slippery terrain, they are not a substitute for an ice axe and do not work for self arrest. One again the 40% stamina increase Can these weapons work both ways? I'm thinking CB is more raw with Narga or Axe Hopper using Rajang but I saw the Rakna and Valstrax CB and thought about them. May 15, 2024 路 The length of the ice axe should be chosen based on your height and the intended use; shorter axes are perfect for technical climbs, while longer ones are suitable for walking or glacier crossings. If you’re a sword user, you would have to still use the gnome sword there (you can probably switch to the bis sword on higher levels). Maybe it's a personal thing but does anyone have a preference? But 1 Hatchet/Fireaxe and 1 Ice-Axe would be totally enough for survival (in DayZ), I think. The word “necessary” is a weird one, but a decision to go without a basic safety tool is probably not the kind of thing you want to crowdsource. I don’t know what length will fit in your pack, but the 45cm ice axes without steel spikes (i. I started a couple years ago and did all the research and reviews and asked questions. And in steeper winter mountaineering routes In particular, the use of microspikes/crampons does not mitigate the need for an ice axe. if you search up wilderness slayer guide by red eye jedi. Great all around ice axe, handles steeper terrain, and is quite comfortable paired with an ice tool when it gets too steep for an axe alone. there are other tasks id prioritize skipping. , Petzl Ride) are designed to be carried inside most packs. A general mountaineering axe will be terrible for ice climbing. You need a proper splitting maul, not an axe. micro spikes and ice axe. Anyone have any adivce on what's a good length for an ice axe? 45cm, 50cm, 60cm+? I am looking at this one but read that the 45cm length makes a self arrest more difficult? I am looking for a lightwieght small ice axe for climbing in couliors. 2 hybrid curved shaft axes, such as the petzl sumtecs or bd venoms. Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for ice axes for mountaineering. Winter hiking will need only light and simple. Logic being that if it's flat enough that you'd need the extra length from the ice axe, you don't need an ice axe. They don't need much of an edge to split. Ice axes are an essential safety tool for travelling through winter mountains. Roped mountaineering, a T rated shaft and slight curve with some grip is ideal - something that you can arrest, rescue and do light climbing with. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the top ice axes on the market, including their features and benefits, to help you make an informed decision. So what is the purpose of savage mode? Hey there. Would be willing to climb just about anything shy of vertical ice with it, and even short pitches of ice haven't been a problem. I’m looking to get an ice axe! I’m aiming for something that will hopefully work all-around; something light and versatile as possible. In addition to the locations already answered, you can practice the motions of self arrest on any floor with the plastic guards on your ice axe. One can cut steps with an ice axe. The other week Hello, I currently own a pair of Quarks for ice and a simpler mix. • Watch the birdie - OFF Suggested Block List for Larran's Keys: • Fire giant • Ice warrior • Magic axe • Bears • Earth warriors • Preference block gear discord also has a list of locations for each monster you get assigned, some are in multiple locations with 1 specific one being better than the others. War axes are bad, and because they're bad, they're only good for the early game, at which point venom is easily the strongest out of the three brands. Just use your imagination and move your body around the axe manually. 5 days ago 路 Grow A Garden Cooking Recipe (launched August 2, 2025) lets players craft dishes using homegrown crops, then feed them to the pig NPC Chris P. I'm looking to add some additional grip and a bit of insulation to the shafts of two aluminum ice axe shafts. I tried both methods (not while climbing Everest 馃ぃ 馃ぃ 馃ぃ) and 2 ice axes with a more autonomous We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. The Dreams really felt a lot better as of WI4 for me and was way more fun with them, but on the other hand I won't be leading WI4 anyway for a few years If you've never owned an ice axe before maybe you should look into more conservative climbing goals first. Main use cases I'm looking to use it for, is to self arrest in case of a slip in a steep chute and possibly traversing steep snow fields. It’s just a basic rundown of features and what to look for if you’re new to snow travel and thinking of purchasing an ice axe for UL hiking. My best advice for right now is to plan on a lightweight ice axe and micro-spikes. If you do things right, you would have plenty of other experiences and probably buy a second or even third ice axe by the time you're considering something like Denali. How good are ice climbing axes on low angle ice and alpine use? Hi, so I went the first time ice climbing last week and really enjoyed it. I’ve only done wildy slayer so far and I just hit 90 this past Jul 29, 2025 路 Here is the list of weapons in Grounded 2. Almost certainly snowshoes won't be worth it during the normal season. Available in Europe (per pair): Petzl Nomic €370 DMM Switch €450 Grivel Tech Machine €440-460 BD Reactor €460 BD Fuel €430-480 Camp X-dream Alpine €440-480 Petzl Ergonomic €500-560 Nomic are Hockey tape for grip, a bit of foam on the top of the axe covered and compressed by duct tape works well for insulation. If I am doing an alpine route (steep snow requiring two tools, ice and mixed climbing) I use Petzl Unfortunately, he had his ice axe and microspikes waiting for him in the post office 10 miles north of Apache Peak in Idyllwild. If it works well I may also wrap some of my poles below the foam grips Has anyone tried various options and what do you prefer? I've seen multiple 3M tapes recommended, silicone self bonding tape like Rescue Tape, tennis or squash racket grip wrap, bicycle handlebar wraps, etc etc. Some are applicable to hikers, some are not. A slight curve can also be ok, but generally speaking it's for more special use cases. Learn all there is to know about these essential mountaineering tools. Mar 16, 2025 路 Home / Gear Guides / We get to grips with the best ice axes 2025 We get to grips with the best ice axes 2025 Alex Roddie reviews the best ice axes, an essential tool for managing risk in snowy mountains, with additional testing from David Lintern and Lucy Wallace. Jan 17, 2024 路 Material Ice axes and ice tools are made of multiple materials but primarily aluminum and steel. So, go for a long Raven or snowalker. Are they capable of climbing that sort of terrain? Yes, but actually tools are better. If you are travelling on blue-ice, a short ice axe could be fine, but I think it is simply too dangerous to use a short axe on snow. The Glacier remained a standout choice for most general mountaineering applications and was one of the higher Axes and swords are very similar in my opinion, but I think axes are still a little better, because of the falcon battle axe that is a nice weapon to hunt true asuras for example. Personally I use tethers when I've got a harness on and am placing or following pro. I'll try looking at a few different monsters and come up with a generalized "two star" hzv and have a 2nd tab on the spreadsheet that uses a different value for elemental hzvs to see if Ice axe beats water axe like you mention. I will use them for indoor/outdoor drytool, steeper ice and mix. Join us and ask yourself the question: Do I really need that? A leashed ice axe can impale you if you take a long fall and lose control of it, so ideally you would never use one and always have control of your axe. So switchaxe is an all offensive weapon. Whilst not specifically ice climbing related, what’s everyone’s top picks for a mixed technical axe that can have picks swapped out to ice? Preferably not insanely expensive, so no more than £400 for a pair. Master Rank Progression Guide Pre Safi Builds End Game Builds End-End Game Builds As for me, I'm currently using a Lightbreak Axe with Kaiser and Raging Brachy armor, while starting to grind out augments and decorations. This includes: fire axe = lava wood, cave axe = cavecrawler wood, overgrown axe = zombie & gold wood, gingerbread axe = walnut & koa, frost axe = frost wood, end times axe = phantom wood. Personally my last warr used ww axe upto 51 and got ice barbed spear but theres plenty of good stuff to grab before. Start your journey today! There are a few options if you're looking at doing couloirs or other technical enter objectives. Understanding Ice Axes Ice axes are versatile tools designed for ice climbing, mountaineering, and other alpine r/Ultralight is the largest online Ultralight Backcountry Backpacking community! This sub is about overnight backcountry backpacking, with a focus on moving efficiently, packing light, generally aiming at a sub 10 pound base weight, and following LNT principles. Thoughts? Plus, an ice axe isn’t just used for arresting a fall once you’re sliding; you can use it in a few different ways to prevent a fall in the first place, which is always safer. (Note: ranked by ATK) Obviously when choosing a melee class you should also consider the availability/price of the weapons, and, most importantly, you I want to buy my first crampons and ice axe, and obviously I want them to be as versatile as possible. Basically as an additional point of contact while booting up the ravines and for self arrest. Uldaman has sword and hammer which both have slow speeds for big hits. Similarly, carrying an ice axe doesn't make you an alpine mountaineer. That may include things like how to self-arrest with an ice-axe, how to approach varying snow conditions (melting, firm), etc. Keep flaming around for hydras, and don't enchant any of these. Some days, all we need our axe to do is disappear in our pack, perhaps to come out in a steep or firm moment. What do you mean “use”? A glacier ice axe is carried on a glacier primarily as a safety measure for falls. I'm wondering is there a shift in thinking going on, and more are starting to use tools for general mountaineering? I can think of some benefits: * if it gets unexpectedly icy For beginner-oriented adventures, you could go with something like the Petzl Glacier or Summit if you want to spend a bit more. worth checking out Wildy slayer is unmatched, free supplies (blighted restores/mantas/anglers), almost every task is cannon-able or barrage-able, the new wildy weapons give crazy combat exp/hr, and the ammount of points earned per task allows you to skip very frequently, you can basically pick your tasks once you have a slayer point bank built up. I even have a few elemental and raw SA and like what they can do. the wildy slay guide i found has you doing dark warriors and rogues. The weapon meta is still unchanged IMO for the shield folks, maces until Porcupine in the Plains then Frostner for Plains boss and Mistlands. I’m typically never winter climbing, and summiting during the March - Sept mountaineering season. An ice climbing tool won’t be the best for mountaineering. Mar 21, 2019 路 The Petzl Glacier is a fantastic ice axe for an excellent price and was nearly the winner of our OutdoorGearLab Best Buy award. I’m generally looking for something I can toss on my pack for extra safety while getting into some more intense skimo trips and winter scrambling. Typically, aluminum is used for the shaft of the ice axe or tool and steel is used for the head. Crafting is best for daggers, axes, 2H maces, and spears, although sometimes corrupted damage or poison can make things less clear. If I've only got the harness on for crevasse falls I don't use a tether. Here is our list for general glacier travel (per person): Obviously ice axe, crampons, harness ice screw x 1 picket x 1 belay device x 1 2 days ago 路 Looking for reliable ice axes for your mountaineering adventures? Explore our top 15 picks to stay safe and prepared while climbing the toughest peaks. I find ice axes shorter than 50 cm more difficult to self arrest with, so I wouldn’t recommend going shorter than 50 cm for most people. The dragr fang remains to be best bow. Unless you are traveling on steep snowy terrain AND are trained how to use it for self arrest then no, I wouldn't buy one. Most resources for ice axes focus on general mountaineering. The PCT has more traffic and might be better defined than the trails I am on. Best endgame is lightbreak or safi's shatteraxe, most rarity 12 axes are viable in endgame but blastblight is just stupid in every monster hunter game. Use case is exclusively for skiing, specifically around the Presidentials in NH (Tuckerman, GOS, etc). All comes down to what you are climbing. Has anyone tried various options and what do you prefer? I've seen multiple 3M tapes recommended, silicone self bonding tape like Rescue Tape, tennis or squash racket grip wrap, bicycle handlebar wraps, etc etc. For any tape or insulation I also really like the rubberized waterproof gloves sold at many small hardware stores. I intend on climbing Whitney this year and I need to pick up an ice axe so I can practice with it before the hike, my eye caught the Venom Ice Axe from Black Diamond, I prefer Black Diamond since I get a discount there, but does anyone have any recommendations? or will the Venom be a good axe for what Looking at buying a ski mountaineering oriented ice axe after lugging my 60cm straight shaft ice axe around. Hand to ankle is an absolute maximum, not a rule!! Best for snow sloggers over walking paths, but is a burden on anything graded. I was wondering if you experienced folks ever used an Ice Tool instead of an Ice Axe for mountainering. The best cheaper alternative to ice elemental bis weapon is the resizer that is probably the best weapon before souls but of all soul items clubs are the worst endgame weapons. 79K subscribers in the alpinism community. Use or crampons would also come with the need for an ice axe, as well as self arrest skills. In the market for an ice axe and was hoping to get some thoughts / feedback. I'm thinking about finally upgrading my 1980's ice axe (a Cassin Sahara, for the curious - just over 900 grams including leash and steel leash ring). However, I'm not a thru hiker, I'm an off-trail mountain climber. For scrambling, they often come loose when the axe bangs into something like a tree branch. Hello, I see that almost everyone is pulling him/her self using the ascender. Conventional wisdom seems to be for that use case to go short and light. Nobody is using an ice axe to make progress across snow fields that see a couple dozen hikers every day. Choose an axe for your intended level of use [and within your ability] i. I'm looking for more technical ice axes and I can't decide. In axe mode, I mostly just use it to combo wild swing into sword mode since the morph attack's second hit is one of SA's strongest hits. 10 lbs is standard, and you can get them at most farm stores. If you dont break the horn in time, you cant deal elemental damage, so im probably not gonna use the kjarr ice or frostfang barioth switch axe. If I am just mountaineering (glacier travel, steep snow) I use a Petzl Summit. You can cut down trees with the Hatchet/Fire-Axe and make stones with the ice-axe. The only time consideration (ii) comes into play is if there is a more effective means of protection, i. What are other good switch axes against alatreon that arent ice element? I'm interested in learning safety related skills on how to traverse snow-covered mountains with thru-hiker gear, ie. Would it be possible/allowed to use a different more autonomous ascender with 2 ice axes so that you don't have to pull yourself up using the cord? I'm mainly talking about ice walls and really steep sections. The ice axe stay on the ice axe loops and clips under the side compression straps of the pack. steep ice or other more technical terrain. ice warriors are okay too. I have my eyes on the Petzl Ride, Gully For a thru hike an ice axe only has to be light and self arrest so something like the Suluk46 and Camp Corsa nanotech are perfectly fine. One can use it as a cane. Is it common practice or do you absolutely recommend an ice axe for self arrest purpose? If an Ice Tool is fine, any recommendation on lenght compared to the usual anckle bone measure ? Thanks! Get it for mountaineering, knowing that it’s more capable than a traditional axe and can also climb gullies, couloirs, and mixed ice and snow better than a basic axe. What resources/ courses would you recommend? I'm usually in the Bay Area (and in Colorado right now), and have found that most Hello Considering that Energy, Ice and Fire are the most important elements, It seems that Axe and Club have now the edge compared to Swords. You carry an ice axe for self-arrest and nothing more. Are you looking for somewhere to go practice self arresting? There’s not much other “use” to be had, unless you want to go chop steps somewhere. Word of caution: Putting on an apron doesn't automatically make you a chef. My suggestion would be to buy a walking/mountaineering axe to get you started, as these can be had for quite cheap, and then top that up with a pair of tools when you're more certain what you'll use them for. And a classic straight ice axe will always be better for glacier travel and self arrest. There's a lot of terrain suitable to learning how to use an ice axe (and get comfortable walking in crampons, which is the actual crux you'll be looking at IMO) in the white and green mountains and you should take the opportunity to do it if you want to have an easier time climbing in the cascades. For more technical mountaineering something A walking axe and a climbing axe/tool are two very different beasts with different use cases. I would also, personally, be afraid to use the CAMP Corsa. Independent ice tool reviews by real outdoors people. But don’t plan on buying a second one in an effort to use it for climbing that would require two tools. I would seriously recommend buying a CAMP Corsa instead of We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Moss giants (mossy keys are nice but these are kinda sluggish) id do moss giants if you have completionist goals. At best, you can use it on the uphill side to keep balance, but that's done just as well with a trekking pole. In fact, compared to the Raven, the Glacier is lighter, self-arrests smoother, and climbs steep snow better, while the Raven offers a better price tag. I know that dirt and rocks will probably dull the ice axe. The original and primary use of an ice axe is for self arrest (stopping a fall). Sword mode, I use the . Mid-calf is the With so many options available, choosing the best ice axe can be overwhelming. Many people learn how to use an ice axe on the trail. I'm For versatility I go with the Petzl Summit. Not looking to do anything technical, just occasional steep snow or crevasse travel. I'm looking for something I can take in high slope terrain, rated for self arrest, and about 60 cm. 1 tool or hybrid and one whippet (hiking pole with axe attchment for self arrest on low angle slopes) One standard axe (raven or similar) and a hybrid tool. Most straight handled pure-walking axes are made at that length (BD raven etc) Going that long is great for gentle slopes, but you loose a lot of stability on steeper stuff, dexterity when swinging/hooking and its more dangerous is arrest with. But they're caving/ spelunking with no ice in sight. On other days, we may spend hours with one or two axes in use, perhaps climbing steps of ice or rock. Of course, your axes made for very specific woods are good as well. The venom is best for routes where You don't need one if you're not going to fall. Hey all. while you place pro or do other things and dropping it is more likely. They do have slightly different jobs and strengths, but it does fit the bill as primarily a self arrest device for cardio activities better than a standard ice axe. I would be very afraid of using a non-certified ice axe like the Suluk 46 TiCa. On the other hand, Sword users still have the best pure physical weapon, followed very closely by Club. And one can self-arrest, but that takes practice. For mountaineering you might want to use it as a tool to get up the mountain at which point you have more requirements. So I bought the Summit Evo After years of renting, I’m finally ready to purchase my own ice axe for summits in the area (Adams, Hood, Helens, Rainier). For an orc: Whirlwind axe -> gatorbite axe (Maraudon) -> dreadforge retaliator (BRD) -> ice barbed spear (AV win) -> the unstoppable force (AV exalted) -> arcanite reaper (expensive crafted weapon) Ice barbed spear is going to be hard to get for horde right now. Really hard to have a tool that does everything. As for where you are in the game, you can pretty much get away with anything, personally I was using the brachydios axe. Broadly speaking, axe price correlates with the technical level of the [terrain]. Sep 28, 2011 路 Taking an ice axe class might be worthwhile, but you can probably learn what you need to know on the PCT by doing some reading, watching a video or two, then PRACTICING on moderate slopes. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. My research has brought me to the Blue Ice Falk (light weight, affordable) and the Blue Ice Akila (more Ive heard that ice is the best element against alatreon, but i know that its very high risk high reward. com Nov 2, 2018 路 But an ice axe (and practice, practice, practice) 1) improves your safety, 2) gives you more flexibility in timing (with self-arrest capability, hikers sometimes have to wait for the afternoon when the snow softens up) and 3) it allows you to butt-slide a thousand vertical feet or more on descent. but can you use it in situations like this and in summertime with no snow? thanks so much. You can also use Ice Cubes and Ice Club as damage fillers, along with Glacier Arc + Gale Lunge/Ice Lance with Ice Skate for mobility. Obviously not a replacement for actual practice on snow/ice, but a way to get in more repetitions. But if you go for a long Venom it would no long be any better than the conventional ice axes on e. When you're falling down an icy mountain, the only hope you have of possible arrest is an ice axe. You might end up getting an ice axe and a Whippet eventually anyway. They provide stability, enable you to cut steps in hard snow or test the depth of a snow drift. See full list on outdoorgearlab. Think I can give a few pointers and tips. Hey, so i’ve been playing iceborne for about 3 months, and there’s a new charge blade thing called savage axe mode. Jan 29, 2015 路 It seems like I'm noticing more people using ice tools for general mountaineering as opposed to the traditional ice axe. The CAMP Corsa is definitely good enough for a thruhiker to complete the PCT, and would probably be the best choice for them. Axe mode is good for getting trips with power axe mode, sword mode is the main damage output, and zsd's can be a pretty safe playstyle. Snow skills - hiking/camping in snow, crampon use, ice axe, etc - what's the best way to safely acquire these skills here in Southern California? I'm tired of being held back from certain hikes because of winter snowfall or even summer hikes in other regions due to need for ice axe or crampons. I haven't been impressed with the various attachments that hold the ice axe shaft to the pack; it looks like your pack doesn't even have them. Hello! Wardens Blades are incredible. You probably want to put in extra effort to get gatorbite axe. Learn more about weapons and see the list of weapons with their stats here! Jun 21, 2024 路 A full tutorial on ice axes and crampons for mountaineering. Best one-stop Ice Axe for occasional ski mountaineering and everything else ski touring? We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. BD's Raven/Raven Pro are classic axes geared towards less technical use, and are very affordable. There's a 40% stamina increase from Frostner to the new sword and you aren't seeing nearly that much more damage. In that case the tool is often left hanging in the ice or on the other tool, over a shoulder, etc. If you get into actual alpine ice climbing you're going to use ice tools not axes which are much shorter and are curved so that both ends are in constant contact with the ice and snow for better grip. g. Apr 11, 2024 路 The performance we seek from an ice axe varies widely depending on the day’s objective. If you fall, you can (hopefully) use your ice axe to stop your slide to doom. Hello all, My climbing partner and I have been discussing our crevasse rescue gear and what we should be taking up for a few trips we have planned. I dont think gatorbite axe is worth it as its upgraded almost instantly. All that being said, crampons and microspikes are often confused in terminology, and if there’s a language barrier even more so. I'm also considering buying a sheet of the thinnest Vibram climbing shoes I have schedule an ascend for Pico de Orizaba in two weeks and plan on doing more ascends in other countries so it would be nice if the ice axe last for a long time and is useful in multiple scenarios until i require a more technical ice axe. However, in the real world, there are situations where the loss of your axe might be catastrophic, so rather than risk losing it into the abyss, you tether it. Not a fan of the weapons at all, the magic is a different story. Reviews, ratings, and price comparisons covering 10+ ice tools. This isn’t meant to be a comprehensive review of individual ice axes or technique. rock/ice gear in a rope system for ice/mixed climbs. My buddy has Petzl Quarks and I rented Camp X-Dreams. We thought it would be fun to see what you all think is "essential" and made your crevasse rescue gear list. So I saw someone mention that long axe's like the petzl summit are something newbies use and all experienced mountaineers use something like the petzl ride and trekking poles. I tried in training and against great jagras, and it seems that savage axe mode attacks do very similar damage to the super axe mode attacks, but they do multiple rapid hits, drain way more sharpness, and waste phials very quickly. I want to use them both on ice and mixed climbing in lower grades and also as single ice axe for skitouring, i prefer something lighter even at the cost of durability, since i wont be using them that many times in a sesons, alason something less curved and technical than nomics. e. Learn to use an ice axe properly, then practice using it until its muscle memory. I usually carry a lightweight ice axe in early summer in the Sierra so I can cut steps if needed. sutd ekg ebab opycx ggea ygkx nfxtina mmnn pmgez biyzl