I'm currently looking into purchasing an ice-axe. Camp's Micro 1 (40 cm, 400 grams) looks like a very attractive substitute to a full size axe. The only disadvantage I'm seeing right now is having trouble setting up a belay or anchor on a steep snow slope using the axe, given its reduced dimensions. Size, weight and price are clear advantages. It is UIAA-certified.

Let's have your opinion(s).

-- Eric Luyten (Eric.Luyten@vub.ac.be), April 13, 1999

Answers

Well Eric, I don't know about that axe, but I have a BD Alpamayo, and the thing is nuke prooof!. Perhaps a little heavier, but that could be goo for chopping stances etc. I dig it! It is burly and should last forever!

-- Feelio Babar (mtea@ptc.com), April 13, 1999.

I would not buy a 40cm axe for "general use". Have you tried self arresting with a 40cm axe? It's much more difficult than with a 70cm, easy to gash yourself with the spike. Also on a glacier probing for crevasses is almost impossible with a 40cm.

There are super light 70cm axes, that would be what I would get for general use.

-- George Bell (gibell@geocities.com), April 14, 1999.

I definitely wouldn't go for such a tiny axe for mountaineering. It will be very difficult to self arrest with and also too short to be much use for balance. Something like the Grivel Air Tech Racing will only be a bit heavier and much more useful as a mountaineering tool.

-Steve http://weber.u.washington.edu/~waydo

-- Steve Waydo (waydo@u.washington.edu), April 18, 1999.

As others have noted, I wouldn't use the Micro as a general mountaineering axe, for length reasons alone. I'm 6ft 1 inch and use a 65 cm walking axe.

I'd also have reservations about such a lightweight/small axe for constructing belays, for self-arrest and for anything other than occasional use on expeditions where you *might* encounter snowfields. I think the recommended Grivel Air Tech would be better, but I still wouldn't use even that as a daily-used mountaineering axe for winter walking. The Air Tech was, I think, originally designed as a lightweight tool for ski-tourers, and has percolated into the mountaineering fraternity mainly as a lightweight compromise. I would worry about it standing up to heavy daily use, and about it's utility for self arrest, step cutting etc.

I wouldn't compromise on my axe. It's saved my life at least once.

Rob

-- Rob Naylor (rnaylor@ensoco.uk.com), April 20, 1999.

hallo Eric, Een ijsbijl van 40 cm is volgens mij geen goede keuze. Zelf heb ik er twee, eentje van 55 cm de goulotte van Charlet Moser en een van 65 cm van Grivel type Jorasses.Zij zijn allebei bestemd voor specifiek terrein en zeer betrouwbaar in de moeilijkste omstandigheden. Korter dan 55 cm mag je niet kopen de nadelen zijn veel groter dan de voordelen. Wil je daar informatie over, bel eens op. groetjes

-- hoste marcel (mhoste@village.uunet.be), October 20, 1999.

Hey, I've got a Stubai Tourlite Telescoping Ice Axe. It is 60 cm long when it is all the way closed. It telescopes out to 90 cm and you can put a snow basket on the bottom for ski touring or just for powdery conditions. It also only weighs 17 oz. Considerably less than other axes on the market. I love it. David

-- David Cline (greatatlax@aol.com), February 12, 2001.