• One last tip...if you have a choice between an ice axe that is slightly long and feels a bit cumbersome and one that is shorter but fits on your pack nicely and is easier to handle, I'd choose shorter.

    The long axe for walking rule is nowhere near as rigidly observed as it used to be. I was quite suprised at how easily I was able to practice self arrests with a 48cm Grivel Airtech Evo technical axe this summer.

    Do check out the Petzl glacier if 60cm isn't too long. I'm really fond of mine. Its really light and agile. I climbed a reasonably steep bergshrund with mine (with two contact points) this summer and it handled the super hard ice really well for an axe that isnt designed for that.

    Edit: Jana uses a 48cm Grivel Air Tech Evo as an all rounder as a lady of shorter stature. Beautiful axes for the money and great all rounders. https://grivel.com/collections/ice-axes/products/air-tech-evo

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