03 Feb 09 Wanting a better "tool" than my Charlet Moser ax I got the venom. After seeing 3 others at Ouray using them on vertical ice I picked up a second. They are superior to aggressive bent tools (I own BD vipers also) for most Alpine situations.
06 July 09 Great tool and now my favorite companion (of the inanimate kind). All your mates have a adz so get the hammer, that way you can place those pitons during the dark decent with out carrying a extra ice tool or hammer. Cinch leash makes it a very decent ice tool when you don't have your vipers. Light enough to surprise me, a friend had one and it was just as light as my old charlet moser.
Should be a brighter color to find, mine is all black.
great all around tool for moderate alpine climbs. A powerful tool for hard snow, with capability on moderate ice routes. ice and self arrest in a single tool. can't go wrong.
Not really great on steeper ice. lower angle alpine ice, and snow is where this is strong.
