Picks

Hey I am getting in to the ice game and bought a cheap pair of tools to learn on. They are the old petzl aztarex and have blueice picks. The picks still have some life in them but will need to be replaced soon. Does anyone know what petzl picks will fit in them? Thanks!

I don't know for sure, but just looking at them the head bolt and pick shape all seem to match the rest of Petzl's current line of ice tools. So you should be able to get any of the picks. I'm guessing you won't be doing any mixed climbing with these tools so I'd go for the Petzl ice picks so you can keep the pick a little more narrow and get better sticks. https://www.backcountry.com/petzl-ice-pick?s=a

Ryan Hamilton wrote:

I don't know for sure, but just looking at them the head bolt and pick shape all seem to match the rest of Petzl's current line of ice tools. So you should be able to get any of the picks. I'm guessing you won't be doing any mixed climbing with these tools so I'd go for the Petzl ice picks so you can keep the pick a little more narrow and get better sticks. https://www.backcountry.com/petzl-ice-pick?s=a

Awesome! Thanks!

I'm fairly familiar with the Aztar and Aztarex, and with the current Petzl line of tools and picks. The current Petzl line of picks (ice, pur'ice, and dry) will most likely not fit the Aztarex. Petzl often carries picks for discontinued tools for a while, so you might have some luck there. It's definitely worth a phone call, I've had good luck with their customer service.

I'd really consider Kyle's advice. The Aztarex is a great tool for moderately technical alpine climbs, but there are currently many better options for waterfall ice that will make learning a lot easier. Good luck!

Ian is right, they will not fit the Aztarex.

Kind of a recurring problem with Petzl and how their tools don't accept many different kinds of picks.  Black diamond does better in that regard.

sarcasm wrote:

Ian is right, they will not fit the Aztarex.

Kind of a recurring problem with Petzl and how their tools don't accept many different kinds of picks.  Black diamond does better in that regard.

+1 for Petzl having periods of time when they have issues getting their picks for one reason or another. Like 8 years ago when the new quarks came out and they switched from their cascade picks to their ice and dry picks, you couldn't find a Nomic pick to save your life... They do make good products though.... 

Kyle Tarry wrote:

I'd definitely recommend thinking very carefully if it's worth spending $100 on new picks for a pair of outdated starter tools.  It might be a better value to milk those picks as best you can, and just put the money towards eventually getting a newer set of tools.

Have fun on the ice!

 +1 considering you can buy a pair of Cassin All Mountains on Sierra Trading Post right now for $200. I would save up or spend the extra $100 and buy tools that can be used on every grade of ice.

I'd follow the advice here for spending a little more for new tools, especially with that deal above. However, I had bought new picks for a pair of older generation Quarks (petzl) and they did not fit. I then realized what I was looking for was the Cascade style picks that fit most petzl tools from that era. That may be what you're looking for. I was able to sell the new ones and then opted for new tools instead. Good luck. 

Bill Kirby wrote:

 +1 considering you can buy a pair of Cassin All Mountains on Sierra Trading Post right now for $200. I would save up or spend the extra $100 and buy tools that can be used on every grade of ice.

STP sold out weeks ago AFAIK.

OP - what you want is the Aztar replacement pick (link). Good luck, as these are discontinued tools also (and never as popular as their principle ice tools).

https://www.gearx.com/petzl-blue-ice-3-mm-aztar-pick

Gunkiemike wrote:

STP sold out weeks ago AFAIK.

OP - what you want is the Aztar replacement pick (link). Good luck, as these are discontinued tools also (and never as popular as their principle ice tools).

https://www.gearx.com/petzl-blue-ice-3-mm-aztar-pick

Huh.. thought I saw them for sale a couple days ago. Now they don’t even come up. Oops my bad yo..

BTW: Had to look up AFAIK :)