DMM Spire (2022 model)

A lightweight ice axe for mountain travel.

The Spire is tough enough to deal with the demands of modern winter mountaineering, yet light enough for general walking and ski touring.
Optimised lightweight tubing and a complete re-design have struck a fine balance that means it carries without effort yet can penetrate ice and cut steps when required.

• High strength steel alloy pick and adze for excellent purchase and durability.
• Machined chamfers on both the pick and adze, for efficient penetration of ice and neve.
• Ergonomic pick and bung, for a comfortable grip.
• Strong and light anodised aluminium shaft, for lightweight travel and reliable support.
• A durable spike and bung for ease of penetration in hard and soft snow.
• Large tethering points in the pick and spike, for ease of clipping and security.

Type 1 (see below).

New Axe Tests
B and T Ratings have been superseded by new EN Ratings, Type 1 and Type 2:
Both have the same test and strength requirement for the shaft strength test (which best simulates the buried axe/T-Slot technique), so either axe type can be used for belaying from the shaft in a buried axe belay. Where the differences between Type 1 and 2 become more obvious is in the lab tests that try to simulate torqueing/stein pulling and really test the strength of the pick and the pick-shaft interface, with the loads required for Type 2 tools being significantly higher.

So in summary:
Type 1: Standard walking and alpine mountaineering axes, suitable for ice axe belaying, but not designed for hard modern mixed climbing involving torqueing picks etc.
Type 2: Modern leashless tools suitable for ice axe belaying, and also designed for hard modern mixed climbing involving torqueing picks etc.

Thus it is not strictly true that Type 1 = B and Type 2 = T as both tests pass the old T shaft test and Type 2 axes are now being tested for properties that were not previously tested for.