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X-Dreams- Mixed Pick or Ice pick?

Original Post
Christopher1022 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 0

I just picked up a pair of Camp Cassin X-Dreams. The tools come with mixed picks but there are several different replacement picks available including an Ice pick. From what I understand, the primary differences between the two are

1) The ice pick has a small hammer in the back
2) The ice pick is a bit thinner for swings into fragile ice
3) The ice pick is a little less aggressively angled downwards.

I am going to be predominantly climbing ice with these so have been considering whether I should order and switch in the ice picks. 1 and 2 do not concern me. I am not going to be hammering in pins with these and the pick looks thin enough, but I was hoping for some guidance on 3.

Has anyone swung the X-dreams into ice with both pick types and have some feedback? Does the Ice pick perform noticeably better on ice? For those that have climbed at least several times with the x-dreams on the the factory mixed picks,how do you feel about the tools' performance on ice.

As a side note, I saw a few forum posts with commenters concerned about the B rated picks. Incidentally, the picks that came with my tools are T rated so perhaps Cassin is switching over to that standard.

erik wellborn · · manitou springs · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 355

I have both picks for the x-dreams. Both swing well in ice, but the additional weight of the ice picks makes them feel more secure to me.

Christopher1022 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 0

Thanks for the feedback, Erik! Have you found the more aggressive angle on the mixed picks to be an issue in any instances?

Chris Graham · · Bartlett, NH · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 545

I used the mixed picks for two seasons and then switched over to the ice picks after a final go at "Remission" on Cathedral my mixed picks were waving the white flag.

I notice a slight difference with the swing and purchase in pure ice and on the limited mixed stuff I have done this season they seem just fine in that arena as well. I am going to stick with the ice picks from here on out and switch over only when I am drytooling or hitting longer mixed routes.

What a great tool the x-dreams and x-all mountains are!

Michael Schneiter · · Glenwood Springs, CO · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 10,406

Who has tried the Race picks? Thoughts?

I've got a pair on order but I'm curious what people have experienced. Thanks.

Brie Abram · · Celo, NC · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 493

The Ice picks are NOT thinner nor are they less angled downwards than the Mixte picks. They are very slightly thicker than the Mixte picks and they are angled very slightly MORE downward.

Here is the Ice pick lying over the Mixte pick showing the difference in angle:

thealpinestart.com/2014/03/…

Here is CAMP's info on all the picks. Page 5:

camp.it/mailinglist/01_camp…

I don't have a photo showing the difference in thickness, but I have held the Ice and Mixte picks, and I can confirm the difference is very slight, but there. In the link above, CAMP says that the Race pick tapers over 4cm, the Ice pick over 8cm, and the Mixte pick over 10cm, giving the Mixte pick the most gradual taper. All of them taper from 3mm to 4mm in thickness.

All of the picks are T rated

Christopher1022 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 0

Thanks for the solid info, Brian. I guess I got some bad information. I think this settles it for me that the Mixte pick is fine for now.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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