Ice axes for Kautz glacier

So i'm heading to rainier in july to climb the kautz glacier. and i'm curious what people use for axes on that, obviously you need a regular piolet, but for a second tool, what do people use? i have a pair of nomics, but i wondered if buying a sumtec would be better. im just thinking that swinging a mountaineering axe with a nomic could be incredibly awkward on the steeper second pitch.

Thanks for the help in advance MP.
cheers
Alex

I would think a sum tec and nomic could be a pretty good combination. Have tried that combo ice climbing before and it worked well for me but never on the kautz

I climbed it a couple years ago with a pair of venoms and they were great. Axe + venom would work well too.

diepj wrote:Axe + venom would work well too.

Alex Palombitch wrote:So i'm heading to rainier in july to climb the kautz glacier. and i'm curious what people use for axes on that, obviously you need a regular piolet, but for a second tool, what do people use?

I climbed the route about 20 years ago. Cool route! Assuming you are spending a night at Camp Hazard, and you plan to climb the Kautz ice fall early the next morning, you are likely to find very hard snow / soft ice. Having a regular mountaineering axe as your best tool isn't very safe on this route, even for a competent WI5 leader. I would bring at least 1 water ice tool, and maybe 2. Or make sure your mountaineering axe has a sharp pick - maybe that is a good compromise - paired with a water ice tool.

Same advice for Liberty Ridge.

Awesome mountain. Share up a trip report post climb.

Wally

Thanks for all the information! i think i'm gonna go with a venom and raven pro.

i will definitely post a report.

cheers
Alex