Christmas Cracker: Grivel Condor

Our latest Christmas Cracker is an interesting idea from the nice people over at Grivel. It's called the Condor and it's designed to convert your standard trekking pole into a handy self-arrest tool.

Effectively the top-section of a trekking pole with a new grip, the Condor has the same dimensions as a normal trekking pole, so all you need to do is unscrew and replace the top section of one pole et voila.

Once fitted, the anatomical handle gives you the option of folding out a serrated steel, hot-forged blade ideal for self arrest purposes or even less severe ice tool work. When not needed you can simply fold the blade into the handle.

At 300 grammes on the OM digital scales, it's pretty light, plus of course it means you no longer need to choose between poles and an axe on those days when you might like to have both. You'll still need a proper mountaineering axe for technical ground, but for general winter walking and ski-touring it's a great compromise solution.

Okay, so it's arguably not the most romantic Christmas present idea out there, but then there's nothing particularly romantic about sliding over a crag because you couldn't be bothered to pack an ice axe on a marginal sort of day...

Priced at around £40, more information from www.grivel.com