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CAMP Corsa Ice Axes
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CAMP Corsa Ice Axes
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Product Description
Two of the lightest ice axes in the world, the CAMP Corsa and Corsa Nanotech are designed for ski mountaineering and glacier travel. They can be used as anchors for glacier rescue and traversing cornices, and come especially in handy for snow travel and self-arrest Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downhotdiggitydog
0
Sep 14, 2019
Will this drop be offered again now that the Ultralight community has been disbanded?
CanadaGoose
80
Dec 20, 2018
A timely article from Section Hiker today:
https://sectionhiker.com/ice-axe-insulation-hack-for-the-camp-corsa/?fbclid=IwAR16JkJzoXCFHViwdFVGr4uiSaflmVXpSVvCODhu6thvgFruYZKcLaSiUXQ
And, a review from last year:
https://sectionhiker.com/camp-corsa-ultralight-ice-axe-review/
Lots of good info by an experienced and thoughtful reviewer!
I922sParkCir
50
Nov 5, 2018
BowGalHow tall are you? What size ice axe do you normally use? If you need one longer than the 60, then go with the regular Corsa. The Nanotech is really just a more durable Corsa. My all aluminum Corsa is holding up just fine with light to moderate use. You won't need more than that on the PCT.
nswenson86
23
Nov 4, 2018
I have a Corsa that I've used for a few seasons of shoulder season backpacking in the Cascades. Agree with what others have said about it's use. I'm a backpacker not a mountaineer, but I take this axe when there's the chance of crossing steep snow fields, and I've been glad to have it on many occasions. I travel quite light but also pack what I need to be prepared, and when there's a chance of traversing steep snow I never hesitate to lash this onto my pack.
Earthairfire
1
May 24, 2017
Bummed that I signed up for this drop and then massdrop cancelled my order due to the vendor short shipping. What a waste of time
HKP7M8
31
May 2, 2017
I also owned this ax until it was lost by a family member on Mt. Adams last year. The previous reviews are spot on. For what it is, this is a fantastic ax. For what it isn't, it is a terrible ax. I am buying another to replace the one that was lost.
This ax is designed for backpacking/hiking where weight is critical and an ax might be used for relatively short periods of time to cross snowfields and to provide just-in-case security. For that purpose, this ax absolutely excels. It is so light that there is little excuse not to bring it, so I find myself throwing it onto my pack when I wouldn't with heavier axes. It has provided that extra bit of security multiple times when I *could have* made it without one, but I was sure glad to have the peace of mind because a fall could have been catastrophic.
As has been stated before, if you are climbing steep boilerplate or chopping steps, this is an absolutely terrible choice. There is no weight in the swing, the pick doesn't bite like a steel ax, glissading can get sketchy if you aren't paying attention, the shaft fills with snow in the lowest length, the Corsa is also slippery because the texture is smooth, etc...
This ax is designed for backpacking/hiking where weight is critical and an ax might be used for relatively short periods of time to cross snowfields and to provide just-in-case security. For that purpose, this ax absolutely excels. It is so light that there is little excuse not to bring it, so I find myself throwing it onto my pack when I wouldn't with heavier axes. It has provided that extra bit of security multiple times when I *could have* made it without one, but I was sure glad to have the peace of mind because a fall could have been catastrophic.
As has been stated before, if you are climbing steep boilerplate or chopping steps, this is an absolutely terrible choice. There is no weight in the swing, the pick doesn't bite like a steel ax, glissading can get sketchy if you aren't paying attention, the shaft fills with snow in the lowest length, the Corsa is also slippery because the texture is smooth, etc...
KarlBirkir
67
May 2, 2017
Very happy with my red corsa axe. Going hiking or skiing and you think or know you miiight need an axe? Fast and light up a steep but technically easy snow slope? Then this is a really nice axe.
It's a niche, specialist axe, and the best one at that (or at least the lightest usable one), not a general use hardworking ice axe.
If you get the point with this axe and think you need it, it's great. If you're looking for a general mountaineering axe I would get something else (and perhaps this one too!).
I happily pair this one with my Grivel Air Tech evo, they're opposite ends of this spectrum.
It's a niche, specialist axe, and the best one at that (or at least the lightest usable one), not a general use hardworking ice axe.
If you get the point with this axe and think you need it, it's great. If you're looking for a general mountaineering axe I would get something else (and perhaps this one too!).
I happily pair this one with my Grivel Air Tech evo, they're opposite ends of this spectrum.
Foxtrot
25
May 1, 2017
What length would anyone recommend for a 5'8" fella like myself? I figured the shortest for the lightest but am unfamiliar with them.
DannyMilks
4557
May 1, 2017
I'd agree - the longer the better for this type of ax. The steeper it gets, the shorter the ax you need, all else being equal. I'm 6'0" and use a 65cm ax, but thats for mountaineering with crampons. For hiking emergency use, I would get a 70cm.
KarlBirkir
67
Nov 7, 2018
FoxtrotWhile I can't and don't mean to argue against other people's own experiences, then I'm on the other side of this debate: I prefer rather short ice axes, and just using hiking sticks if I want hiking sticks. They are much better hiking sticks than ice axes are, and shorter ice axes are better in steep slopes when you really want them.
I922sParkCir
50
Apr 29, 2017
I have used this on Mount Whitney's Mountaineer's Route last March and almost exclusively for my late/early season hiking on the SoCal peaks ( San Gabriel, San Bernardino, San Jacinto ranges).
I am 6'1" and got its largest size (70cm) to be that third point of contact (self belay).
The pick is sharp, but relatively poor at self arrest. I was glissading down the top of Cucamonga Peak a couple of weeks ago and there were a couple of times that it failed to arrest in the melting ice and snow where my Petzel Summit and Black Diamon Raven would have.
The spike works, abeit not as sharp, and relatively fragile. Keep in mind that the construction is entirely aluminum, and durability is sacrificed for weight.
The adze is, well it's there, and mostly useless. Chopping steps and making a platform to sit on a slope is much more time consuming. I really miss weight and width of the adze on my Raven, but that isn't what the Corsa is for.
This review sounds much more critical than I was expecting. I love this ice ax; it has literally saved me more than once. It does have limitations, but it is still CEN-B rated. It is reserved for when the risks of a fall are unlikely, but present and un-ignorable. A hiker's ice ax, not a mountaineers.
I am 6'1" and got its largest size (70cm) to be that third point of contact (self belay).
The pick is sharp, but relatively poor at self arrest. I was glissading down the top of Cucamonga Peak a couple of weeks ago and there were a couple of times that it failed to arrest in the melting ice and snow where my Petzel Summit and Black Diamon Raven would have.
The spike works, abeit not as sharp, and relatively fragile. Keep in mind that the construction is entirely aluminum, and durability is sacrificed for weight.
The adze is, well it's there, and mostly useless. Chopping steps and making a platform to sit on a slope is much more time consuming. I really miss weight and width of the adze on my Raven, but that isn't what the Corsa is for.
This review sounds much more critical than I was expecting. I love this ice ax; it has literally saved me more than once. It does have limitations, but it is still CEN-B rated. It is reserved for when the risks of a fall are unlikely, but present and un-ignorable. A hiker's ice ax, not a mountaineers.
DannyMilks
4557
May 1, 2017
I922sParkCirI also think your review is spot-on, though your last paragraph should really be the first to help explain why this is a good ax, then explain the limitations.
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