Most of the time, you'll be using the axe(s) in cane mode, so I would be more likely to pair a Viper with something that had a more traditional shaft that can plunge (no pommel on the grip), like a Petzl Sum'Tec. That being said, they'd probably go fine.
IDk ... I maybe need few axes, I am thinking about the sum tec, because maybe if I get to something steeper it might be of help and at the same time is not so curved as the ice tools and maybe I can self - arrest easy with it. or maybe just get a straight shaft for hiking , because I might be choosing the sum tec because it looks cooler and I do not understand how things work.... Thanks anyway I might watch this again an pick ...
Sure, take a look, and feel free to comment w/ questions. I'm happy to help. I would say, that there really isn't much reason to get a straight shaft anymore. You can get a slight bend and it helps w/ leverage in self arrest and makes swinging it a bit easier. But then it comes down to having an inverted pick (better for swinging or grabbing rock but worse for arrest) or a regularly curved pick (better for arrest and worse for swinging and grabbing rock). It comes down to what kind of objective(s) you are after. To your very first comment, though, I certainly have many axes, anything that is "pretty good at everything" is never boing to be the best at anything. All gear has trade offs. Thanks for watching!
@@ShortGuysBetaWorks Hello and thank you for your quick and detailed answer. Much appreciated. Yes, it makes sense I must check my objectives and then buy the adequate tool for the occasion. I was thinking about the situation where I will be walking ( or climbing ) to the ridge of the mountain and some places will be a steady incline, where I will use the tool for walking (spike) but as the incline becomes steeper (60 - 70 degrees) I might need something to answer to that. This is why I was looking at the sum-tec, but as you said the head will not be optimal for self-arrest, but If I take a walking axe general mountaineering axe, I can still use the tool for normal hiking and climbing in the winter when is not so demanding. I am a beginner so we will see. I probably must take some courses as well. Summer mountains quite a lot but winter is a different beer. I suppose I must practise (safely) and see which tool where will be most appropriate for my abilities and the terrain then I will adjust to my true needs. But probably I will buy two axes to test. Thanks anyway!!!!
@@tecmissle9256 I do like the Sum' Tec as a good multi-purpose option. When I need something that is for less technical ascents where I chief concern is having something for self-arrest, I often go with the CAMP Corsa Alpine.
After sliding on ice and almost dying… I definitely think an ice axe is in order.
Glad you are okay. Hope this video helps you out!
Thanks man, I now know which ice axe to pick 👌
Glad it helped! Have fun out there!
damn those kids are cool xD
Well, they think so; just ask them 😉🤷
Why no metric weights ? ..you used ounces , what kind of ounces ??? imperial ? Troy ? US ?
This was one of my earlier videos, before I started doing weights and lengths in both metric and US.
Would a pair of black diamond vipers be suitable for a Mt. Hood Pearly gates ascent?
Most of the time, you'll be using the axe(s) in cane mode, so I would be more likely to pair a Viper with something that had a more traditional shaft that can plunge (no pommel on the grip), like a Petzl Sum'Tec. That being said, they'd probably go fine.
IDk ... I maybe need few axes, I am thinking about the sum tec, because maybe if I get to something steeper it might be of help and at the same time is not so curved as the ice tools and maybe I can self - arrest easy with it. or maybe just get a straight shaft for hiking , because I might be choosing the sum tec because it looks cooler and I do not understand how things work....
Thanks anyway I might watch this again an pick ...
Sure, take a look, and feel free to comment w/ questions. I'm happy to help. I would say, that there really isn't much reason to get a straight shaft anymore. You can get a slight bend and it helps w/ leverage in self arrest and makes swinging it a bit easier. But then it comes down to having an inverted pick (better for swinging or grabbing rock but worse for arrest) or a regularly curved pick (better for arrest and worse for swinging and grabbing rock). It comes down to what kind of objective(s) you are after. To your very first comment, though, I certainly have many axes, anything that is "pretty good at everything" is never boing to be the best at anything. All gear has trade offs. Thanks for watching!
@@ShortGuysBetaWorks Hello and thank you for your quick and detailed answer. Much appreciated.
Yes, it makes sense I must check my objectives and then buy the adequate tool for the occasion.
I was thinking about the situation where I will be walking ( or climbing ) to the ridge of the mountain and some places will be a steady incline, where I will use the tool for walking (spike) but as the incline becomes steeper (60 - 70 degrees) I might need something to answer to that. This is why I was looking at the sum-tec, but as you said the head will not be optimal for self-arrest, but If I take a walking axe general mountaineering axe, I can still use the tool for normal hiking and climbing in the winter when is not so demanding.
I am a beginner so we will see. I probably must take some courses as well.
Summer mountains quite a lot but winter is a different beer.
I suppose I must practise (safely) and see which tool where will be most appropriate for my abilities and the terrain then I will adjust to my true needs. But probably I will buy two axes to test.
Thanks anyway!!!!
@@tecmissle9256 I do like the Sum' Tec as a good multi-purpose option. When I need something that is for less technical ascents where I chief concern is having something for self-arrest, I often go with the CAMP Corsa Alpine.
Thanks, that helped a lot!
Have fun out there!