Petzl Sum'Tec Ice Axe

Best tool for when things get “somewhat technical” is a great way to describe the Petzl Sum ‘Tec. When encountering short ice bulges, longer moderate WI3, or extended sections of plunging the shaft this is where the tool excels. While for most ski mountaineering objectives I would still choose the Petzl Gully for its lightweight nature and being an excellent capable tool as well, for the times when I want a little more oomph in the swing and when having a longer shaft and a full-on steel spike is more ideal is where the Sum ‘Tec really shines. Routes like the Ford-Stettner on the Grand Teton, the North Ridge of Mount Baker, or if you are a scared cat on Ciochetti’s Ribbon and plunging the tool for dear life I found the Sum’ Tec gave me just the right amount of added confidence to continue on. Petzl’s adjustable trigrest really outperforms similar adjustable pommels used on other tools in the same class i.e. Blue ice Akila, Black Diamond Venom or Swift, and adds great security when switching from plunging the tool to going from low to mid-dagger positions. Replaceable picks or just swapping out different picks from Petzl’s line is just another great feature for adding longevity to the tool as long as the shaft of the axe isn’t completely trashed. So, for those who are getting into the mega gnar with skis on there backs the Sum ‘Tec is an excellent hybrid tool for when added security on technical terrain matters a bit more than overall weight savings.