PETZLAdults'Ice Summit

Arguably the best Alpine axe available for Mountain use. Essential kit.

The Petzl Summit is now my favourite axe for lightweight mountaineering/ski-touring. I've got the 52cm version (U13B 052, weight: 360g).I prefer short axes (lighter, easier to handle during ice-axe braking, & less in the way on a rucsack). I'm 5:10 tall, & find the 52cm version long enough for the spike to reach the ground on steeper slopes.https://www.petzl.com/GB/en/Sport/Ice-axes/SUMMITOn the Petzl Summit I like:The (lack of) weight, forged head, bent shaft, & a proper spike on the bottom. The machined grip works, & I don't miss not having a rubber handle (apply griptape if required). I wasn't sure about the B-rated shaft, but concluded that in reality it's irrelevant. If a leader fall was possible, I wouldn't rely on a buried axe as the only anchor anyway.Other axes I've tried:Petzl Glacier Literide - lighter at 320g, but adze is only welded on, & straight shaft feels a bit awkward by comparisonGrivel Air Tech Racing - 400g, forged head, bent shaft, proper spike, pick is taper ground & goes into ice Ok, but gets dented rather easily on rocksBlack Diamond Raven Ultra - 348g, pick is too thick & bounces off hard ice, shaft a bit slippery (better once sandblasted), axe head only glued in not riveted, straight shaft feels awkward

Really light, clearly well made, and I can this being a good all rounder... So much so, I'm going to buy a second one! No wonder it was rated so highly. Really impressed...