Camp Corsa Ice Axe

This proper winter has made me think a lot about the kit that I routinely just carried for many a winter but not fully used. My Camp Corsa ice axe is one such item.

This is my third ice axe. Like most folk I started with the Grivel Munro but I really didn't know what to do with it. So I went on a Winter Skills Course with Kendal Mountaineering Services to give me the basics and build my confidence up on dealing with stuff in winter. The first thing I did after that course was go out and buy a new ice axe as my trusy Grivel at 70cm was too long for me to comfotably self arrest. Lots of research and talking to friends lead to the DMM Crque being axe number 2 in my arsenal. For me this is the hard man of my ice axes and ceratinly ticked all the boxes for what I needed it to do and more. Using it was a pleasure too.

Then a wee birdie started going on about these lovely lightweight ice axes. I started thinking about how many times I had the axe in my hand as compared to carrying it on the pack. Milder winters now, I might be as well carrying an axe less than half the weight of my trusty Cirque. In came axe number 3, the Camp Corsa. It's the lightest ice axe in the world at 205g so perfect if you end up carrying it a lot.

Mmm, what's this now, a proper winter :-) We've had snow and ice sice before Christmas so the pointy toys have been in use a lot. The Camp Corsa has been a star. I have a 60cm one so length wise it's perfect for walking. I gave it a work out with self arrest when I first got it as I wanted to make sure it would do the job with no issues. So far I've not had to use it for real but have every confidence in it if I need it. It holds very well in the hand and being so light you hardly know it's there. It doesn't have a grip on the shaft so goes into the snow fairly easily. The adze is on the smaller side compared to the Cirque or Munro but don't let that fool you. It does really well in cutting steps and digging out. I've not had to use the pick in anger but I did have a wee play with it when we went to Steall Falls and was impressed at how it dug in. It officially gets a B rating for the shaft which means it will do for an emergency belay, the same as the Munro whereas the Cirque is T rated. Not surprising really as it is a technical axe.

Not once have I felt this winter that I needed to have my hard man axe with me instead of the Corsa so I suspect it shall continue to be my axe of choice when I'm walking the hills in winter. If I'm ever brave enough to do more technical stuff the Cirque will be out but til then the beast will stay in the hoose.

Comments

Salomon Mission GTX Boot

I've had these on a few times now and so far they are just what I've been after to get me through the winter for most of my days out. Salomon describe them as being perfect for "light hiking" - take that whatever way you want ;-) They come in at 1210g for the pair and feel fairly easy on the feet. They've handled saturated grassy stuff without me applying the famous arse plant (so far!!). They even seemed to be OK on rocky stuff too. Where I have been really impressed with them is how they handled the snow on Na Gruagaichan. It was hard enough that we were kicking steps. This was easy enough for Steve in his Scarpa SL's and Iain in his La Sportiva Nepals. Initially I followed their steps then decided to give it a go myself. I occasionally had to kick a couple of times on some of the really hard stuff, probably more down to my poor technique than the boot, but they managed well on the cover we had for the ascent. As my balance is rubbish I decided to apply

Creag Meagaidh MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Creag Meagaidh has been on the to do list for so long. The past couple of years have seen us have to abort at least three attempts at the last minute because conditions weren't for us. So were we going to get it done this time................. YES The weather bods said mostly dry with a risk of potential showers later in the day. It was warm so even if it did rain it would be warm. Off we set having smothered ourselves in factor 50 and Smidge. Warm they said.......... baking I said!!!! We had decided our ascent would be via Coire Ardair and The Window to ease us into the walk on a good path. It felt more like a slow roasting. It is a gorgeous walk out to Coire Ardair on a very good path but as soon as we were out of the forest the heat and humidity kicked in. When we reached Lochan Coire Ardair there was only one thing on my mind, getting my boots off and getting in. It was at this point I began having major doubts as to whether we would get this done. Bre

Mullach Clach a'Bhlair

Our ascent of Geal Charn Mhor had given us food for thought on what was to be our next hill target. We'd had notions on either Braeraich or Beinn Mheadhoin but the lack of winter equipment and uncertainty on the true extent of the snow cover put those ideas on hold for the time being. So maps were scoured and the Glen Feshie hills were winning out. Steve had already done both Munros, Rob and I had done one (though not the same one) and Kate hadn't done any of them. A cunning plan was hatched that meant we could all start at the same point but we would split into two groups. Rob and Kate would head for Sgor Gaoith while Steve and I would go for Mullach Clach a'Bhlair. The Glen Feshie Estate have done an amazing amount of path work which makes the ascent up Coire Fhearnagan to the beallach an absolute pleasure. We hit the snow line around 700m but thankfully it wasn't too steep. The traverse over to Mullach Clach a'Bhlair required a w

Blethering Blonde

Search This Blog