Mountain Logic™ Guides Ice Axes and Crampons | Page 13

\"My mountaineering axe is lightweight but durable. The shaft is aluminum but the head is stainless steel. Make sure the pick is long enough to be effective when self arresting - even in soft snow.\" Peter Whittaker\r\n“Picking an ice axe is all about what you are climbing. If there\'s a good chance I\'ll be swinging the axe overhead, I\'ll choose something shorter and more technical. For most standard mountaineering routes, I\'ll choose a longer, straight shafted axe, since it will mostly be used as a third point of balance.\" Melissa Arnot\r\n\"For general mountaineering I look for a crampon that goes on a variety of boots without any fit issues, and more importantly, stays on during grueling, 14-hour summit pushes.\" Dave Hahn\r\n\"For routes with both glacier travel and moderate technical climbing, I go with a 12-point crampon with horizontal front points for stability on steeper terrain. I make sure it’s made with stainless steel, so it won’t rust. \" Ed Viesturs