Petzl Laser Speed Light – Ultra-Lightweight Ice Screw with Crank
The Petzl Laser Speed Light is an ultra-lightweight ice screw for mountaineering, alpine ice routes and ice climbing. Its aluminium tube considerably reduces weight, while the steel drill supports fast initial bite in the ice.
The integrated folding crank makes placement easier and provides efficient handling through its optimised leverage. This makes the ice screw particularly suitable for weight-conscious mountaineers and routes where multiple screws need to be carried.
Construction and Performance
The optimised steel drill has three teeth. Its shape supports a fast initial bite in the ice, while a patented sharpening reserve makes it easier to resharpen the teeth when required.
The ultra-lightweight aluminium tube provides a significant weight reduction compared with a traditional ice screw featuring a full steel tube. The compact aluminium hanger facilitates placement in sculpted and cauliflower ice.
The integrated folding crank provides a secure grip and effective leverage. This allows the screw to be placed and removed quickly and efficiently. The crank folds away to keep the ice screw compact during transport.
Clear colour coding makes it easy to identify the three available lengths on a climbing harness: yellow indicates 13 cm, blue indicates 17 cm and green indicates 21 cm. Each ice screw comes with a protective cap for the drill.
Length Selection
The ice screw length must be selected according to the usable ice thickness and the quality of the available ice:
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13 cm: shortest and, at 91 g, lightest option for maximum weight savings and situations with limited usable ice thickness.
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17 cm: versatile middle length for a wide range of alpine ice routes and ice-climbing objectives.
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21 cm: longest version for deeper placements in sufficiently thick ice.
A longer ice screw is not automatically the better choice. The usable ice thickness, homogeneous ice structure and correct placement are the decisive factors.
Our Assessment
The Petzl Laser Speed Light is particularly attractive when every gram matters in an extensive ice-screw rack. Carrying several of these screws can provide a noticeable weight reduction on the harness and in the pack compared with heavier steel models.
The 17 cm version is the most versatile all-round length within the range. The 13 and 21 cm versions complement a carefully selected ice-screw rack for different ice thicknesses and placement situations.
Compared with the steel-tube Petzl Laser Speed, the Laser Speed Light places a clear priority on minimal weight. It is a technically refined option for mountaineers building a lightweight rack for demanding alpine objectives.
Benefits at a Glance
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Ultra-lightweight aluminium tube
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Tri-toothed steel drill
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Fast initial bite in ice
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Patented sharpening reserve
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Integrated folding crank
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Optimised leverage for efficient placement
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Compact aluminium hanger
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Colour coding for quick length identification
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Three lengths for different ice conditions
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Protective cap included
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Certified to CE EN 568 and UIAA 151
