Field test and review
Cooler weather often makes it harder to get out the door, especially when you’re indoors listening to the wind pick up outside. But time and again, it proves that the old saying holds some truth: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only poor gear selection. With the right setup, winter hiking becomes not just manageable, but genuinely enjoyable. Fewer people on the trail, quieter surroundings, and a stronger sense of isolation all add to the experience.
There’s also a growing interest in heading into alpine environments during winter. Waking up on an overnight hike to a light covering of snow across your campsite and the surrounding landscape is something that never really loses its appeal. Moving through fresh snow as the terrain shifts into something completely different is a rewarding experience in itself.
If you’re planning to take things further and head out in true winter conditions, your gear needs to match the environment. While you may not need technical climbing equipment, a reliable pair of crampons and a well-suited ice axe are essential.
When I started looking into ice axes, the sheer range was overwhelming. Different shapes, lengths, and designs all seemed to offer something slightly different. To cut through the noise, I headed into Bogong Equipment in Melbourne’s CBD for some advice.
After a detailed walkthrough of the options, the recommendation was clear: choose a tool that matches your current needs but won’t limit you as you progress. Since I had no intention of tackling steep ice climbing, I settled on the Grivel G1, a classic mountaineering axe suited to general snow travel.
So why the Grivel G1? It’s designed for general mountaineering use, making it well suited to early-season hiking, snow travel, and ski mountaineering. It offers enough performance for steeper snow when required, without stepping into the territory of highly specialised tools. If your plans extend into consistently steep or technical terrain, something like the Grivel Air Tech Evolution would be a better fit.
An ice axe is a core safety tool in winter conditions. With proper instruction, the basics are straightforward to learn and form the foundation of essential skills for snow travel.
If you’re new to this space, it’s important to understand the difference between a basic ice axe and a technical one. Technical axes are shorter, more aggressively shaped, and designed for steep ice climbing. A general mountaineering axe like the G1 is longer and built for balance, support, and safety across varied terrain.
A standard ice axe serves multiple purposes: it provides stability on ascents and descents, allows for self-arrest in the event of a fall, helps control speed when glissading, and can be used to cut steps or create basic anchors. Compared to technical tools, it offers a more versatile, all-round design suited to hiking conditions.
Carrying the Grivel G1
Those looped straps on your pack aren’t just for show. The G1 attaches cleanly using the lower axe loops and upper retention straps, sitting securely without shifting. At 440 grams, it’s light enough that you barely notice it while hiking, yet always accessible when conditions change.
The head design allows for a natural hand position when traversing snow, which becomes noticeable over longer distances. Comfort here matters more than you might expect, so it’s worth handling different options before committing.
The rubber grip adds both control and insulation, which is particularly useful in sub-zero conditions where bare metal quickly becomes uncomfortable.
Creating Steps
The hot-forged adze performs well when cutting into firm or icy snow, allowing you to create secure footing where needed. It handles step-cutting efficiently and feels predictable in use.
I haven’t yet used it extensively for digging tent platforms or building anchors, but based on its performance so far and feedback from others, it’s well suited to those tasks.
Steep Snow and Ice
My first real outing with the G1 was on Mount Buller in the Victorian Alps. The approach included sections of steep, icy terrain where both crampons and axe became essential.
The G1 felt stable and dependable on traverses and steeper sections, providing confidence when ascending and descending. It sits comfortably within its intended use case, offering enough performance without overreaching into technical territory.
Self-arresting
Practising self-arrest is essential, and I spent time working through different positions on a controlled slope. The G1’s pick strikes a good balance. It isn’t overly aggressive, which helps with control, but still bites effectively into firm snow.
Compared to a curved shaft axe like the Grivel Air Tech Evolution, there was a slight difference in performance, but not enough to matter for general use.
An improvised anchor
The G1 is a CEN “B” rated axe, designed for general mountaineering. It can be used in moderate conditions for anchors such as T-slots or as a deadman, but it’s not intended for high-load or highly technical situations.
While I haven’t personally pushed it to these limits, its design supports basic anchoring when used appropriately. For steeper terrain requiring more aggressive techniques, a higher-rated or more specialised tool would be more suitable.
The Bottom Line
My first proper experience in snow conditions was a success, and the G1 played a key role in that. It’s a well-balanced, lightweight axe that delivers exactly what you need for general alpine use.
The one-piece hot-forged head provides strength and durability, while the overall design remains simple and effective. It’s comfortable to use over long periods and performs consistently across the conditions it’s designed for.
If your goal is snow hiking, early alpine trips, or building foundational winter skills, the Grivel G1 is a reliable starting point. It does what it’s meant to do, without unnecessary complexity.
I’ll definitely be heading back out into the snow, and the G1 will be coming with me.
If you’re considering winter hiking, it’s worth heading into Bogong Equipment and getting properly fitted with gear that matches your plans.
Buy direct from Bogong Equipment for $159.95
Tech Specs
The Grivel G1 is a lightweight ice axe designed for classical alpinism, combining strength with simplicity.
- Neutral pick with ergonomic design for extended use
- Rubber grip on Ergal 7075 shaft (G1 Plus)
- Sizes: 58, 66, 74 cm
- Carbon steel construction
- Hot-forged, one-piece head
