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Gear Guide 2009 3 2 1 AUSTRIALPIN HU.GO Alpin ( fits-most leashless tool. To tile, technical ice andmixed swinger. the spare pick(included),make tools these days, it’sunusualto find shaft andmodularrubberhandle adjust grip(depending,for example, a few turns,andset as desired. To adjust pickangle, break out able-angle pickandacustom with pinky gripmeanthisain’tyour you’ll needahex wrench. The curved grandaddy’s axe, but rather aversa on handsize orglove thickness), one somultipurpose With allthesuper-specialized ice izable grip, yieldingaone-size- 08 Ice Gearbreaks themoldwithavari . PICKYOUR ANGLE CHECK YOUR GRIP A major factor in finding the right fit in an ice As aleashless tool, theHU.go incorporates a and meaty or meager mitts. a track (adjusting from 3.3 to 4.3 inches in tool is the grip, as a mismatch will lead to rapid trigger grip, allowing you to match handsand to climbaslabby icefall oneday, andasteep the boltsecuringsteel pickandmake ad with a rubber grip that slides up and down on See DOUBLE UP With aspare pick(orwrench), you can loosen pumpitude. The HU.go solves that problem pull off allmannerof mixed gymnastics. mixed linethenext. justments upto 20 degrees. Useful ifyou plan length), accommodating thick or thin gloves p. TK austrialpin.net for more details ) HU.go — the Austri . - - - - - 2 1 3 There are for alltypes of climb superior penetration. Andfor or semi-rigidframe, whichgives when walking. or mixed climbing/dry tooling. to find foot fangs that work for you. glacier travel, waterfall- andpure-, gear ishighlyspecialized andtypically falls frontpoint) are thebomb. Somecrampons for technical ice, dualvertical frontpoints offer (think: edging),vertical monopoints (single WIth iceclmbng, Crampons inverted heelhooking.Afew thingsto know, ing, from getting purchase onslickslopes to into oneof three categories: mountain use/ relies almostdirectly ongear. Accordingly, ice horizontal frontpoints offer greater stability; Frontpoints. kick energy into thefrontpoints. For pure ice, try amore rigidframe, to transfer Frame. For glaciertravel, you’ll want aflexible

For navigating snow andnévé, as aid,upward progress Ice Gear - 75cm. For technical ground, goshorter, for An (oraxe) has myriaduses: walking on frozen waterfalls; andarock-climbing stick, , self-arrest, andcouloir climbing ons typically suffice and work withallboots; allow you to switch outmonoanddualfront technical ice, goheavier, to get agoodstick. welt; andstep-ins fitstiffer boots withboth factors to consider: Weight. primarily glaciertravel oricy couloirs. For implement onmixed climbs. Here are afew in themountains; ahammeroriciclesticker points, too. In allcases, test-swing intheshop. heel andtoe welts. hybrids require asturdier boot withaheel hybrid, andstep-in. For mountain travel, strap- L Bindings. Ice Tools ength. Mountain axes range from 55to Alightaxe isfineinthealpine, for The basic styles are strap-on, - clip-on leashes, whichlet you retain thetool/s classic leash isfine. For waterfall ice, gowith out picks. They alsosport reverse-curve picks, adze. Technical ice andmixed tools tend to a fixed head,modestly curved pick,and rear and insulation againsttheshaft. Technical ice able for mountain use, where you’ll beposthol and clearance over bulges. offer better swing ‘n’stick,knuckleprotection, straight shaft, for anchor/boot-axe belays or size there to preference. shafted tools fall inthe45-to-55cm range; to enhance stick. tools typically have pinky catches, for even distinctive Z-shaped,leashless handles pro while placingpro. vide solidone-ortwo-handed grippositions. walking-stick use. For steep ice, curved shafts for glaciertravel. Technical andmixed, curve- Grip. Shaft. use, amolded-rubbergripdelivers purchase ing through snow. For technical ice andmixed L Head. have modularheads,meaningyou can swap better grip. For hardcore ice andmixed, the better swing control; thelongeraxes are good eashes. 2009 Guide Gear Astraight tool sansrubbergripisprefer Mostmountain-specific axes come with The classic mountain tool has a For lower-angled , a - - -