[pct-l] Strength of Aluminum Alloy Ice Axes

[shutterbugg313 at yahoo.com (Shutterbug steiner)]

Just hiked over San Jacinto and then down to Fuller Ridge rather than Road walk or just do Fuller Ridge and I can attest that the longer the ice axe the better,  I have a full size Black Diamand Pro Raven and some of the others has the Ghost or some other really short axe.  the short ones might be OK (with less leverage) than a full size one --- BUT they all complained about leaning over to much for self belaying.  I think using the ax for self arrest to prevent sliding is far more usualful than self arrest.
 
Duane

Michael Donnay <mdonnay@yahoo.com> wrote:
I'm shopping for a lightweight ice axe to carry on the PCT. I've found
4 ice axes whose shafts AND heads are made of a lightweight aluminum
alloy. I'm considering the CAMP XLA 210, CAMP/Lowe HL250, Grivel Nepal
Light, and Cassin Ghost. The CAMP XLA 210 and the Cassin Ghost are
made of "tough 7075 Aluminum alloy" while the other two use a "light
alloy material."

1. Can anyone attest to how "tough" these alloy lightweights really
are? Could an aluminum alloy pick break off in a self-arrest? Should
I stick with a steel head and aluminum alloy shaft instead?

2. I've taken a basic mountaineering class in the past that taught the
self-arrest. Now I'm wondering if I can get away with the shortest
shaft available to save weight. Wasn't Jardine's ice axe a mere 20"
long? Any recommendations?

3. Are there any other ice axes out there that I should be considering?

Thanks for your recommendations.
Mike




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