Rain Shells & Hardshells

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U 8/10 / C 9/10

A single alpine tool for the long approach, the steep step and the anchor that follows.

Intended user: Alpinists moving between glacier travel, steep snow and short ice steps.
Problem being solved: Hybrid routes force a choice between comfortable walking axes and efficient technical tools.
Core design idea: A restrained 55 cm curve and modular Type 2-style head support adze, hammer and pick changes without changing the core tool.
Key features: Interchangeable adze/hammer; replaceable pick; captive hardware; upper index texture; tool-free sliding handrest; steel spike.
Suggested materials: 7075-T6 aluminum; forged chromoly steel; glass-filled nylon; TPU grip.
Approximate dimensions or fit: 55 cm; moderate curve; approximately 185 mm head.
Weight target: Target 430 g.
Color palette: Storm Teal #1E5861; Deep Basalt #171A1F; Signal Sulfur #D7FF3F.
Color, material and finish rationale: A dark head visually anchors swing mass; sulfur lock witnesses make incomplete assembly easier to spot.

U 10/10 / C 6/10

A packable axe concept that puts the joint in plain sight and makes redundancy the design.

Intended user: Ski racers and fastpackers who need an axe inside compact transport limits.
Problem being solved: External axe carry snags in lifts and travel, but telescoping shafts introduce dangerous joints.
Core design idea: A long overlapping keyed scarf joint with two independent captive pins prioritizes redundancy over compactness.
Key features: Two transport sections; keyed anti-rotation overlap; dual pins; lock witness; conventional head; sliding handrest; replaceable spike.
Suggested materials: 7075 aluminum; titanium head; chromoly pick/spike; glass-filled nylon lock sleeve.
Approximate dimensions or fit: 55 cm assembled; approximately 34 cm longest packed section.
Weight target: Target 380 g.
Color palette: Storm Teal #1E5861; Deep Basalt #171A1F; Signal Sulfur #D7FF3F.
Color, material and finish rationale: The black joint is deliberately visible rather than disguised; sulfur reveals incomplete locking.

U 9/10 / C 8/10

Wear the contingency before you need to sleep in it.

Intended user: Solo fastpackers and guides who need carried rainwear plus contingency shelter.
Problem being solved: Emergency bivies are single-purpose and ponchos rarely control pack fit, face ventilation or shelter conversion.
Core design idea: A shaped poncho opens to one rectangular textile whose perimeter hardware forms a vented bivy or small tarp.
Key features: Pack-volume hood; side snaps and belt; bivy perimeter zip; mesh face vent with short stay; reinforced tarp corners.
Suggested materials: 40D recycled HT nylon; waterproof molded zip; mesh; HDPE brim stay; reflective witness strips.
Approximate dimensions or fit: Flat textile approximately 235 × 150 cm; pack 22 × 12 cm.
Weight target: Target 470 g.
Color palette: Signal Sulfur #D7FF3F; Oxide Rose #B55245; Deep Basalt #171A1F; Storm Teal #1E5861.
Color, material and finish rationale: Rescue sulfur dominates; oxide identifies shoulder stress; black ground edge makes daily poncho use less precious.

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