Iceaxe X-Light review
MCS AlexClimbMCS AlexClimb Mountain Climbing School
Overview of the Cassin X-Light iceaxe
In the alpine training program "Iceclimbing school in Norway 2018" MCS AlexClimb Mountaineering School did some testing of a number of ice tools and iceaxes, the comparative tests of which we will publish a separate article. In this material, you are invited to get acquainted with our impressions of the use of the X-Light ice tool from the C.A.M.P. manufacturer, with which the MCS AlexClimb School has been cooperating for many years.
So, X-Light is a short iceaxe, adapted for use on the complex ice and mixed technical pitches of the alpine and iceclimbing routes. The length of the axe is 500 mm which makes it not very effective when working on snow slopes and when moving along the terrain of low and medium angle slope, where a classic ice axe with a long handle is required. However, when used on a relief above the average steepness, where it is required to climb more or less vertical parts - the ice tool X-Light works excellently and can be compared with sports ice-axes. In our testing, the X-Light tool was used for climbing vertical ice routes, in different temperature modes (for different ice density). The instrument has proved itself from an exceptionally positive
side as an easy, mobile, well-balanced iceaxe. The special feature of the X-Light (how it can be guessed from its name) is its very light weight - the ice axe weighs only 500 grams and it makes it an exceptionally valuable element of equipment when used on a long and high-altitude climbing routes, where the weight of the equipment is the main selection criterion. Despite its light weight, the X-Light tool can be used quite adequately in the field of sport iceclimbing, although while using you should take into account the specificity of the ice tool of the light weight - the hits made with this iceaxe are less effective than for heavier instruments. But this feature is not a disadvantage of the iceaxe X-Light, since the small weight of the tool gives to it obvious advantages in a number of situations. The tool is equipped with a blade labeled "T" which means its increased strength and suitability for use on the technical routes - the blade of the X-Light tool provides a sure fixation for the relief due to its aggressive shape and a fairly well-chosen angle of inclination relative to the handle. Thank for the engeneers for the good climbing solution!
The author of the text and photos - Alex Trubachev
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MCS EDIT 2023