REI Yeti Review

=Likes==
The Yeti's large rounded head makes it very comfortable to hold; only the Black Diamond Raven family is more comfortable. It was the smoothest self-arresting axe along with the Black Diamond Raven and the SMC Capra. It just edges out the Petzl Summit in this category. The hole in the middle of the head and the one in the adze worked fairly well to facilitate use as a snow anchor as well as use in standing belays. The adze is a nice size and chops steps fairly well, on a par with most other ice axes in its price range.

Dislikes
The pick of the Yeti penetrates firmer ice about average; not a great choice for steeper snow and ice climbs. It performs similarly to the Black Diamond Raven and CAMP Neve and not quite as well as the Snow Walker. During a crevasse, the rounded head made it slightly more difficult to girth hitch a sling or clip a carabiner. I didn't notice it much when I was standing around. But when hunched over with my quads screaming and my partner in a crack, it was a bigger deal.

Best Application
A perfect ice axe for general mountaineering and snow climbing. If you climb or aspire to climb a lot of steeper snow and ice, it's not ideal either alone or with another ice tool.

Value
At $75 the REI Yeti is the best priced ice axe in the review. It is $5 less than, and scored relatively close to, the Black Diamond Raven. The Yeti weighs one ounce less than a CAMP Neve and is the same weight as a Raven.