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Piton hammer.—Most piton hammers have a point to aid in clearing out piton cracks or chipping ice. The point is sometimes annoying and is unnecessary. An ordinary 16-ounce mechanic's ball-peen hammer is very satisfactory for rock, and fits well, head down, in a rear pocket. A rawhide sling, anchored to a hole in the handle and long enough when around the neck to allow the hammer to be extended at arm's length, will free the hands between pitons and prevent loss of the hammer. A hammer holster is useful. If there is to be much driving of ice pitons, a fairly long point on the hammer is useful in cutting away unsound surface ice or in chipping a recess for the piton. A geologist's pick and hammer is excellent. Greater weight—24—32 ounces—is also desired, for ice pitons must be driven much farther than rock pitons, against equal resistance. |
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