I picked up the Akila LT this season with both an adze and hammer attachment to replace my Petzl Gullys and to expand my quiver beyond the standard Akila (the longer model).
The first things I noticed was the lightened overall weight and the improved swing weight of the LT compared to the regular Akila. The Akila pick has always been one of the most aggressive and confidence-inspiring in its class, but the LT design removes the metal spike at the bottom of the shaft. This shifts the center of mass slightly higher, which allows for a more momentous swing. The result is a lighter tool that feels more capable on water ice and on mixed terrain. Compared to my Petzl Gully, the Akila LT climbs more aggressively and I feel more comfortable bringing it on serious objectives where I maybe would have brought a full technical axe in the past.
So far the Akila LT has proven to be extremely versatile. It has performed exceptionally well on steep snow climbing, leading ice up to WI3, and I’ve even used it on a few sections of mixed terrain and light dry tooling, where it felt far more capable than most tools in the lightweight alpine category.
Blue Ice Akila LT Axe
The Blue Ice Akila LT builds on the legacy of the original Akila as a compact, lightweight tool with impressive climbing performance. Developed in collaboration with Teton guides, the LT version features a shortened (to 43cm), diagonally cut shaft that maintains functionality as a spike while improving packability. An additional clip-in point on the shaft allows for optional leash use. With the same trusted pick geometry, chromoly steel pick, and durable aluminum shaft as the original, the Akila LT is built for long-term reliability in demanding alpine environments. The sliding pommel enhances handling on steep snow and short alpine ice sections, which is ideal for technical ski mountaineering routes like the Ford-Stettner on the Grand Teton or Liberty Ridge on Mount Rainier. Designed for technical ski mountaineering objectives, the Akila LT from Blue Ice is a dependable and versatile axe you can count on.
- Chromoly steel pick and aluminum shaft make for a durable and lightweight axe.
- 43 cm shaft is easy to carry in/out of a pack or under your shoulder strap when things get dicey.
- Available in either a hammer or an adze so you can tackle any mission.
- Sliding pommel comes in handy in technical terrain.
- CE/EN 13089 and UIAA 152 certified.
| Specifications | |
| Length(s) cm | 43 |
|
Weight |
300g [Adze] 305g [Hammer] |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
Chromoly steel head, aluminum shaft, nylon tech pommel |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Ski mountaineering |
| Notes | Comes with sliding pommel |
| Bottom Line | A light and versatile tool for technical missions |
| Compare to other Ice Axes | |
