Well I've followed Tom up some grade 3 ice in the past with an old mis matched pair of axes he kindly lent me. I also enjoy mixed routes, which i believe the rebels are good for!

The reason why i want the rebels is because i see them as an investment. I intend to improve, and dont want to be limited by my axes in the (possibily very) distant future. I dont think they will restrict me on easier ground in the mean time.

If you liked leashless but are worried about loosing shiney axes, you could alway just 2 long bits of tat (or similar products that you can buy) to attach your axes to your bag so if you drop them its not too catastrophic!

You should count yourself lucky, I started off using a walking axe and a pterodactyl, ones about 3 and a half foot long and the other's a prehistoric Dinosaur! In comparison yours were hardly mismatched at all!

I don't really know why you wouldn't mismatch two tools as long as they were reasonabily similar, if they're different though you'll probably feel like one is holding you back and want to swap hands all the time. I climbed with a Stubai hornet and a fly for a while a year or two ago and as soon as the climbing got difficult i felt like I always had the wrong tool (the hornet) in the wrong hand. If you're not finding the climbing too hard you don't really notice it though.

To be honest i don't think you'd have any trouble plunging a rebel, so it'd probably be a waste of money to get a mismatch, then have to get a new one.

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Girls like three things: Danger, Boners and R1oss' guns.

Andy kirkpatrick talks about axes here:

http://www.andy-kirkpatrick.com/blog/view/the_best_axe_in_the_world/

and here:

http://www.andy-kirkpatrick.com/site/main_articles/choosing_a_technical_axe/

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Girls like three things: Danger, Boners and R1oss' guns.

Andy kirkpatrick always knows the right thing to say! Im so getting the rebels now (well i was before but that article has made me feel better about it!)

Also, i second tom with the odd pair arguement. Even though mine were 'hardly mis matched at all' I still found the difference confused my brain because one arm could reach something the other couldn't and it was invariably the wrong arm to make the move. (I probably noticed this because it all the stuff i did last winter felt pretty tricky even though it was probably all relativly easy!)

Infact, I think i'll actually get round to ordering them now! Yay!

I think I will too, I got a softshell on what he said and it's so good (montane extreme) nd I would recommend it for scotland.

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MILF-Hunter

If anyone's looking for boots still there's a size 45 pair on ukclimbing going for £40! they're the same boots as mine and they look in better condition (apart from a hole in the lining at the heel which has been repaired). they do look like a good buy!

here's a link:
http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=384221

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Girls like three things: Danger, Boners and R1oss' guns.

My Salomon SM Lites are 44 but I'd rather have B3s, do you reckon its worth taking a punt on those 45s fitting?

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MILF-Hunter

helllloooo everyone.....i'm coming to scotland yaaaaaaa!! exciting times.....just wondered if anyone had any spare boots and crampons for scotland?? im size 5/6....?

Much love

Annie fanny xx

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I will crimp your bum

Wow just seen this deal, buy two of these and then buy an adze for one http://www.completeoutdoors.co.uk/Black-Diamond-Viper-Hammer-%28Old-Style%29 amazing price almost wishing I hadn't bought the rebel's now (almost but not quite )

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MILF-Hunter

MILF-Hunter - they have the Cumbres in Cotswold, so you could always just try them on in there and see if they fit. Not that I'd advise such immoral behaviour of course.

Also, trousers: for Scotland I have base layer trousers (TK Max, they're well cheap in there) and some waterproof over trousers. Would just army surplus type combats be alright with those? Saves me spending money on new trousers, as I'm going to be poor enough already...

Combats would probably be cotton or at least partly cotton which is not a good idea because it won't wick away moisture and will stay wet once wet.

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MILF-Hunter

Ah yeah that's true...any recommendations of how to get a decent pair of trousers that won't require me taking out a mortgage?

Steal them?!

Other than that just get a pair of basic "outdoor" trousers. TK Max have a load, mostly craghopper i think. You should be able to get some that would do for about 10 to 20 quid. just aim for something that isn't too thick and heavy and looks like they won't absorb water.

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Girls like three things: Danger, Boners and R1oss' guns.

have a look on ebay - i bought a pair of ski trousers for £10 and they work really well

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Mountain sec .... once upon a time

Do you mean like salopettes? I was told they might be too hot. But then, normal outdoor trousers seem like they would be quite cold without something warmer on underneath?