The options for adventurous objectives open wide when you add Petzl's Sum'Tec Ice Axe to your mountaineering gear. Its tapered pick penetrates into hard, shallow ice melting down the steep couloirs that safeguard the snowy, isolated aprons that you and a couple other skiers know of. Petzl made the shaft light to the keep the whole axe under a pound, so you'll have no qualms bringing it on alpine climbs that may or may not have steep, snowy sections to the summit. Despite its minimalist appeal, the Sum'Tex still sports beneficial features like the upgraded grip or adjustable TrigRest handrest that provide a good grip. Completely modular, this axe's pick, spike, or adze are interchangeable with other Petzl accessories for even more convenience regardless of the mountaineering mission.