It is here. After three years of research and development in close cooperation with our athletes, we are proud to release a tool that incorporates the many aspects of the CAMP Awax climbers have come to love while improving on other elements along the way. The Awax was well known for its ability to generate solid sticks from a single soft swing. This was a marvel of engineering as the Awax was also the lightest technical ice tool on the market.
The solid sticks were the result of a perfectly balanced head and aggressive pick. The pick was probably the most notable part of the Awax. The All Mountain Tool incorporates our new All Mountain Pick, a near replica of the Awax pick optimized for the new X-series shafts which feature a slightly different curve pattern.
With the All Mountain Pick, the All Mountain Tool has a very similar swing to the Awax, penetrates ice just as well, grips rock with equal aplomb, but then goes further with a system of interchangeable grip and head components that ultimately give the All Mountain Tool its name. They provide a small ledge above the regular grip for bumping a hand higher up the shaft or for matching both hands on one tool while leashless climbing.
A solid grip higher on the tool allows you to gain more height per tool placement. This allows you to reach better ice that is higher up, or just cover more ground with fewer swings. A Z-handled tool is any tool with a specialized grip that has a different angle from the shaft.
In addition, the Z-handled tools often have an upper match. Z-Handled tools were originally designed for difficult overhanging rock and ice climbing and were the first leashless tools. However, as these tools have gained in popularity, their design has improved for better swing in all-around application. The important features to look for in Z-handled tools depend on the desired application.
If the tool is primarily going to be used for ice, your first priority will be that it swings like a normal ice tool. For any new tool, it is important to realize that there will be an adjustment period before the swing feels natural.
That said, I found some of the original Z-handled tools e. Nearly all late model Z-handled tools now rotate over the pinky, providing excellent performance on ice. If the tool is mostly for drytooling and occasional ice routes, hooking performance and stability should be of top importance.
Generally, a tool with similarly angled lower and upper grips will be more stable when you change grips. Of note is the extreme clearance and three grip positions of the newest Petzl Ergo.
With Z-Handled tools it is important to consider the grip diameter and length. The heads of Z-handled tools vary more than any kind on the market. Some have full sized hammers, some have mini hammers, and others have no hammer at all. The benefit of having no hammer is that the head of the tool is streamlined and narrow and will thus fit into small constrictions. Not having a hammer can also be advantageous if you hit yourself in the face with your tool.
The drawback is that a tool with no hammer or a very small hammer cannot generally be used on a traditionally protected mixed route where loads of pitoning will be required as is often the case in the Canadian Rockies. In these cases, you can carry an extra piton hammer as a 3rd tool for pounding pitons.
Many manufacturers provide a mino-hammer as an intermediate option. The Black Diamond Fusion comes with such a mini-hammer built right into the head design. Primary Mobile Navigation. It's a nice compromise if you want the extra support.
A set of standard leashes can be attached if you would like to use them in a traditional configuration or as leashes in the Alpine essential. Finally, I have used an umbilical of my own making not included for alpine climbing where loss of a tool would be disastrous.
These tools are one of, if not the, lightest tool on the market. They swing and stick better than most other tools and the package includes an extra pick with hammer.
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