Andy gives us his thoughts on the Black Diamond Viper Ice Axe. #livebreatheoutdoors

Duration: 3:05 578 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

Andy from Ellis Brigham shares his winter experience testing the Black Diamond Viper Ice Axe, highlighting its versatility across various terrains ranging from less steep paths to demanding mountaineering routes in places like Italy's Lilaz Gully. He notes that while the axe is an aggressive tool compared to some others on the market, it climbs exceptionally well and provides excellent security even when navigating awkward angles where traditional curved handles might struggle. The straighter design of the Viper allows for easier placement at steep sections without relying solely on the base of the tool, making it a reliable choice for gully lines that require both precision and stability. A standout feature discussed is the innovative handle mechanism designed to prevent issues with snow crusts often found in ridge routes. Unlike newer handles that can get caught when plunging into hard-packed or crusted snow, Black Diamond has engineered a system where users can flip the base of the handle upward to avoid snagging while still allowing for easy adjustment before heading out on the hill. Additionally, Andy praises the simple and basic construction of the upper handle section, which offers freedom of movement for swinging and positioning hands naturally without unnecessary complexity or bulk interfering with technique. The adjustable trig rest further enhances the axe's adaptability by allowing users to slide it up and down within a specific range marked by a safety notch, providing an ideal second position on the ice axe once locked into place before climbing begins. Andy believes this tool is perfect for those taking their first steps into winter climbing or aspiring climbers with grand ambitions in the Alps who need a versatile instrument rather than one specialized solely for hard technical climbing. The aggressive shape ensures stability on small edges without being overkill, offering sufficient security as users ease themselves into more challenging conditions while retaining the potential to tackle much harder terrain if needed.

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Hi, I'm Andy from Ellis Brigam and this winter I've been trying out the Black Diamond Viper. For me, I've loved this axe on less steep terrain and also more all round mountaineering routes, but it's still quite an aggressive tool compared to some out there. So, it still climbs incredibly well. I was out in Italy earlier in Feb and climbed Lilaz Gully which is grade four. But this is still a great axe for that style of terrain. More gully lines where you're going to be on steeper sections but equally you're needing a lot of security on terrain that's you know that awkward angle where you can't get an ax in that way and you're often having to rely down here on the base of the tool. being straighter, not having that curved handle means that you can get the end of the tool in a lot more easily and it's a lot easier to get your weight over it. And compared to a lot of more modern aggressive tools, having, you know, the more traditional spike down here means that you can really get that in and get a lot of security out of it. If you are going to be spending a lot of time on more mountaineering sort of style ridge routes, often on more snowy terrain like we've got here behind me, when you are plunging the base of the axe, often what can happen if there is a crust to this snow, these new sort of handles can get in the way. But Black Diamond has done something really quite nice here. And I think they've done it really well compared to other options out there that you can just flip the base of the handle up there. It means that it's far less likely, you know, it's not going to get caught. Um, but we can just pop it down super super easy. And the other thing that I'm a huge fan of here in the handle, um, very simple, basic handle, but I prefer that I don't like a lot going on in here. I like the freedom to be able to swing and put my hand where I want it. But up here on the trig rest, you can move this up and down. Now, it's got a little notch to stop it going too low, but realistically, you're not wanting it to go too low. But it's just a case of popping it open, sliding it to where you want it, making sure it's stiff, but you're going to do that before you're out on the hill, and then just closing it. And that's going to give you that fantastic second position on the iceax. This is a tool I think, you know, it's going to be great for people that are maybe getting into the first foray in winter climbing, you know, and maybe grander ambitions out in the Alps or potentially even the bigger ranges and want that versatility over just a harder climbing axe. We do have that more aggressive shape. So, it's going to give you quite a lot of stability on smaller edges, but it's not overkill. So out on the lower grades, maybe when you're easing yourself in, it will give you everything that you need securitywise. But that's not to say it won't go further. You know, people have climbed much harder than me with much worse ice axes.