CAMP Corsa lightweight ice axe, a wee look
These have had some coverage in Trail, but it’s good to have a closer look at the features for those interested in trying one out. I’ll be using one of these this winter depending on where we’re going. So once I’ve had a good go with it I’ll get the news on here, good or bad.
Looks pretty standard. The adze is welded on which is usually a sign of cheapness, here I’m happy to see it as the it’s probably the toughest bit of the head and will keep the adze attached if you try and chop a step through an unexpectedly tough crust.
The shape of the adze is good, clever thinking has given it the shape that the soft metal would probably have worn into after a good bit of use if it was a standard shape. I’m hoping this and the sculpting will give it a bit more longevity.
The end of the shaft is cut to give you a spike shape for penetration, the ferrule you see holds a plastic plug in place to stop you carrying an aluminium wrapped ice lolly by the end of the day. You’ll see the little cuts into the front edge to give you a bit of grip.
This area will wear first and might decide the lifespan of the axe. Unless of course, you actually have to self arrest with it. Then it takes on the role of drivers air bag. One crash and it’s back to the garage for repair or replacement.
The head is pretty comfy in the hand, quite wide, but the teeth aren’t so sharp and won’t shred your gloves. It’ll take a leash no problem.
The head won’t penetrate ice well at all, it isn’t meant to. But they’ve profiled the pick well so that if you have to it’ll have a good go at it.
I like the feel of it, at 250g for the 60cm it really is light. The length will give me a good swing for step cutting, so that doesn’t worry me. Anyway my arms aren’t made of cheese straws with bread sticks for fingers. This criticism of lightweight axes, that folks can’t swing them seems to assume that users are always going to be a bunch of feeble incapables. Unlikely I would hope?
It’ll take some thought on the side of the user, if it’s chucked about like my old favourite Mountain Technology Alpine, it’ll be burst in no time. But people aren’t stupid, we adapt. We just need the facts, not patronising.
On walking routes, or as a will I/won’t I need it tool it looks like it’s on the money.
Time will tell. More to follow.
I can see it perhaps if it catches a rock perhaps – but I don’t know – it may well take it.
I guess some practice chucking yourself down summat is in order? :)
Aluminium does’t really like it much, I suppose it depends on the alloy though. It’ll probably be a clever mix of metals that’ll take the abuse better.
I’ve seen aluminium fail plenty, it creases and then unzips.
The Corsa is a really nice bit of kit though.
We should have some Corsa Nanotech’s arriving as well, I’m not so sure about them though. That pick attachment looks ungainly in the pictures.
I think I’ll give the Corsa a go, tho’ I see Mr F&L has scuppered my plans by shutting for the weekend. Best wait ’til Monday then. :o)
Nice Purple background in the photies btw.
But as to aluminium’s strength – it does depend massively on the grade you’re using as to how strong it is. Just think about DAC poles for tents. The stress they go through before they break is unbelievable and they’re thin as you like.
I remember reading about it somewhere ages back – can’t recall where – but can remember being really surprised at the huge difference in failure points between different grades.
I’m interested in hearing what you think of the Nanotech. I like the look of them and the extra weight “for the ladies” might be handy ;)
Camp have a huge resolution image of them:
http://www.camp.it/camp/template01.aspx?codicemenu=42
The Nanotech also gets three out of five triangles for “Basic Alpinism” – but the Corsa only gets two… draw from that what you will.
RedYeti, yes indeed. Mountain bike frames are another aluminium specification minefield, 6000 and 7000 series tubes being the most familiar, and with heat treatments and forming processes it all gets very murky.
It’s one of those areas you have to hope that the manufacturer knows what they’re doing.
As you say, CAMP seem to think that they’re “fit for purpose” axes. We’re just stuck in our over cautions ways here maybe?
But I think it must be thrown off :)
And you’re out there, at the 8yd skip (for that’s what it’ll take – think of the weight of the gear) throwing harder than most of us ;)
Here I forgot to say that the jacket was indeed a Rab, but that fine orange cuff is actually from a Neutrino Endurance.
Why I sweated through taking those pictures in that jacket is a mystery to me even now.
Have they arrived yet? If so, what did you think? I liked the look of it myself.
There’s so little information on these axes, the CAMP site has the big glamour portrait shots, but no real detail. And you never really know until you get one in your hand if it’s only good for sticking in your garden to support a sapling or not.
I know it probably defeats the purpose of having the lighter axes, but carrying a longer Corsa and a 50cm Nanotech would be ideal for almost any Scottish winter walking scenario.
In a similar vein, a mate of mine twice forgot his hood. He had an old Sprayway Torridon waterproof with the stud-off hood. Once we were climbing the Easins at Loch Trieg and it started pissing down and he said “My wife takes the hood off when she borrows my jacket” My Lowe Alpine mountain cap saved the day there. The next time was heading up the A82 in a blizzard at 20mph and came across a car stuck sideways into the scenery, we stopped to help and as he pulled out his jacket, yes the hood was missing again.
We went home after that.
The might have been one of the last times I can remember the roads being consistently snow covered, late 90s.
Pop off hoods? Velez? I’ll say no more.
I see your Velez, and I’ll raise you one Rab Drillium roll away hood :o)