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Grivel - Air Tech Evolution Bergfreunde Edition - Ice axe tested
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Hi, is this a T rated axe and T rated pick?
Adrian (Community)
| Customer Service
11.02.2020 11, 06
Hi eCloud,
B and T ratings are now being more commonly referred to as UIAA Type 1 (CEN-B) or Type 2 (CEN-T). While the names are different, these two ratings have more or less the same tests and strength requirements as the CEN-B/T tests.
Certification: CE EN 13089, type 2, UIAA 152
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Hello Petet, The right length of a mountaineering could spake a bit of a debate but here's my thoughts.....
Have someone help you, so that you can concentrate on standing properly while that person carefully checks the length.
Grasp the head of the axe, with the adze forward and your thumb resting on it.
Stand facing forward in a relaxed yet upright position (your arm holding the axe head should be at your side); let the spike of the axe dangle toward the ground.
On a properly sized axe, the tip of the spike should be even with your ankle, or an inch above it.
Note: If you’re doing this at home (rather than a climbing shop), hold an imaginary ice axe head at your side and have your helper measure the distance from the base of your thumb to your ankle.
Reasons to Choose a Shorter Ice Axe
The main reason most people choose a shorter axe is to save weight. Going shorter (by up to 10cm) is OK if you anticipate a lot of travel on steep terrain, or your route will require minimal ice axe use. Avoid getting an ice axe shorter than 60cm, though, because its spike will be dangerously close to your vital organs during a self-arrest.
Reasons to Choose a Longer Ice Axe
You might consider getting a slightly longer (and heavier) axe if you’ll predominantly use it to build snow anchors, to probe for cornices and crevasses or to travel on low-angle snowfields. A longer axe, though, can be unwieldy to use during self-arrest because the spike can catch in the snow and send you and your axe flying. Avoid getting an axe longer than 70cm unless you’re tall enough to measure out as needing an axe that size.
Thanks for your help Adrian