The Petzl Snowtube provides a secure anchors in neve where ice screws just won’t get the job done. Don’t get on a big alpine route without a couple of these pieces on your rack, or you’ll end up with some sketchy butt belay after a nasty pitch—and those situations are best avoided. Petzl made this picket with a smooth, low-profile shape, so it fits nicely in your pack’s wand pocket for easy carrying on routes.
I would never carry these over the much cheaper and traditional pickets....how much gear are you going to carry? ice screws and pickets....this tube is not as solid as a picket...use would be for somewhere between ice screws and pickets in my opinion. Seen them demonstrated, not sold.
Totally agree. Snow pickets with the "T" cross section work great. You can also put in extra holes in the shaft so you can tie-in/clip-in as close to the snow as you can. It seems that if you forget to get the snow out of this tube you could end up with a heavy and useless stick.
lukehumphrey -
Apr 24, 2012 2:14 am - Hasn't voted
Re: personally
What's the difference between this and using your ice axe as an anchor? Seems like it's just an ice axe shaft. By "solid" do you mean you would break/bend, or can you be more specific about your fear? I'm just curious, thanks for the info. This is obviously lighter so weight savings would be nice.
Dow Williams - Oct 25, 2009 6:28 pm - Voted 1/5
personally