Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe

A general mountaineering ice axe for alpinists and glacier travelers who need a reliable all-purpose piolet for self-arrest, crevasse rescue, and technical snow travel on moderate alpine routes, the Raven Ice Axe from Black Diamond pairs an investment-cast one-piece stainless steel head with an aircraft-grade aluminum shaft in a trapezoidal cross-section that provides grip and stiffness without unnecessary weight. The stainless steel pick geometry is sized for secure placements on technical snow and ice, and the functional adze handles step chopping, snow anchors, and mixed terrain work without requiring a separate tool. A large carabiner hole on the head accepts a standard biner for glacier travel rigging and crevasse rescue setups. Available in lengths from 55cm to 75cm, with the 55cm shaft weighing 428g, the 60cm at 445g, and the 65cm at 462g, the Raven covers the full spectrum from technical steep-snow objectives for shorter climbers to long glacier approaches for tall alpinists. For general mountaineering below the technical ice threshold, the 428g aluminum-shaft Raven is the appropriate axe before the step up to the forged-head Raven Pro.