Along with the new Fuel ice tools from Black Diamond, there were a few pieces of shiny new hardware on display at Outdoor Retailer and ISPO for all you fellow ice climbers out there. In addition to great new packs and apparel for Fall 2014 (more to come on those), new ice screws, ropes, and crampons are popping up for both the current and next winter season.
The Salewa Quick Screws (pictured top) include an integrated quickdraw and carrying device for attaching the screws to your harness. This device helps protect your screw teeth and can easily be removed with one hand. A compact and ergonomic screw head grip makes for quick and easy placement in the ice.
The Edelrid Beast Lite 12-point crampon is at home on both steep ice as well as mixed climbing terrain. You need to adjust only a single screw to change from dual forged front points to a mono configuration. Weighing only 680 grams, the lightweight aluminum and steel crampons include anti-bot plates and can easily be switched between automatic and semi-automatic bindings.
The Camp Blade Runner crampon ($350) is as versatile as the Petzl Lynx, built for a combination of steep ice, mixed, and alpine climbing. The Sandvik Nanoflex steel heel slide integrates the linking bar with the heel piece for better torsional rigidity.
The front points interact closely with the secondary points on the main frame for easy penetration and superior hold in the ice. Switching the front points between dual and mono, centered or offset is made easy with the hook and notch system on the rear contact point.
Optional snow points convert the Blade Runner into all mountain alpine crampons. Semi-automatic toe bail accessories enable the crampons to be used on boots without rigid toe lugs. Anti-bot plates and crampon case come included.
I am probably most excited to test out the Fuel ice tools and the new Salewa Quick Screws. If I am going to try and get my mixed on, however, the Camp Blade Runner crampons might come in handy.