Brand: Blue Ice
Category: Climbing Protection
Recommended by John Willard, Founder & Lead Guide @ Willard Mountain Guides — Conway, NH
Highlights: long distance, lightweight, ice climbing
The BLUE ICE Aero Ice Screw Yellow 13 Cm is a premium climbing protection device designed for efficiency and reliability in icy conditions. Its robust construction and innovative design ensure secure placement in existing holes, making it an essential tool for serious climbers. 1. Made from durable chromoly steel and aluminum for enhanced strength and longevity. 2. Larger diameter design allows for secure screwing into existing holes, improving stability. 3. 3-tooth tip facilitates quick and easy installation, saving valuable time on the climb. 4. Lightweight construction minimizes added weight to your gear, ideal for long ascents. 5. 13 cm length provides optimal depth for secure anchoring in various ice conditions. 6. Bright yellow color enhances visibility in snowy environments, aiding in quick identification. 7. Designed for use in extreme cold, ensuring reliable performance in harsh winter conditions. The BLUE ICE Aero Ice Screw is specifically designed for ice climbing, making it perfect for both professional climbers and advanced enthusiasts. It excels in icy environments, particularly on steep alpine routes or frozen waterfalls. Ideal for climbers looking for dependable protection during challenging ascents, this ice screw performs best in winter conditions where quick placement and security are paramount. Whether you're tackling a multi-pitch climb or a technical route, this tool is essential for ensuring your safety and confidence on the ice.
Price: $74.95
- Who it's for
- Ice climbers who lead and want a full-steel screw that handles varied conditions, including wet or tough ice. Hosts building a rack lean on the 13cm and 16cm lengths most heavily.
- What people are saying
- Hosts consistently praise the large diameter for easy V-thread placement and the ability to rebore used screw holes, plus fast placement and light weight for a steel screw. One host explicitly warns that ultra-light (non-steel) screws can freeze up in wet ice, positioning the steel construction as a practical advantage in those conditions.
- Worth noting
- Notes are uniformly positive with no criticism; one host switched from Petzl and considers these a clear upgrade. The freeze-in-wet-ice caveat applies to ultra-light versions, not this full-steel model.
John Willard's review
I made the switch to these 2 years ago from Petzl and these are it! The diameter of these screws are huge. Meaning you'll hit your V-threads way easier and you can rebore old screw holes. These are also light. I like the steels because I climb in NH where ice can be wet, cold, or just tough to get the screws in. The ultra-lights will freeze in very wet ice as a warning!
Recommended by John Willard, Founder & Lead Guide @ Willard Mountain Guides
Frequently asked questions
Who is the BLUE ICE Aero Ice Screw Yellow 13 Cm for?
Ice climbers who lead and want a full-steel screw that handles varied conditions, including wet or tough ice. Hosts building a rack lean on the 13cm and 16cm lengths most heavily.
What do experts say about the BLUE ICE Aero Ice Screw Yellow 13 Cm?
Hosts consistently praise the large diameter for easy V-thread placement and the ability to rebore used screw holes, plus fast placement and light weight for a steel screw. One host explicitly warns that ultra-light (non-steel) screws can freeze up in wet ice, positioning the steel construction as a practical advantage in those conditions.
What should you know before buying the BLUE ICE Aero Ice Screw Yellow 13 Cm?
Notes are uniformly positive with no criticism; one host switched from Petzl and considers these a clear upgrade. The freeze-in-wet-ice caveat applies to ultra-light versions, not this full-steel model.
What does John Willard say about the BLUE ICE Aero Ice Screw Yellow 13 Cm?
I made the switch to these 2 years ago from Petzl and these are it! The diameter of these screws are huge. Meaning you'll hit your V-threads way easier and you can rebore old screw holes. These are also light. I like the steels because I climb in NH where ice can be wet, cold, or just tough to get the screws in. The ultra-lights will freeze in very wet ice as a warning!
Why does John Willard recommend Blue Ice?
John Willard recommends the Blue Ice BLUE ICE Aero Ice Screw Yellow 13 Cm for climbing protection. I made the switch to these 2 years ago from Petzl and these are it! The diameter of these screws are huge. Meaning you'll hit your V-threads way easier and you can rebore old screw holes. These are also light. I like the steels because I climb in NH where ice can be wet, cold, or just tough to get the screws in. The ultra-lights will freeze in very wet ice as a warning!
Is the BLUE ICE Aero Ice Screw Yellow 13 Cm a good climbing protection?
Yes — John Willard recommends the BLUE ICE Aero Ice Screw Yellow 13 Cm by Blue Ice as their climbing protection pick. I made the switch to these 2 years ago from Petzl and these are it! The diameter of these screws are huge. Meaning you'll hit your V-threads way easier and you can rebore old screw holes. These are also light. I like the steels because I climb in NH where ice can be wet, cold, or just tough to get the screws in. The ultra-lights will freeze in very wet ice as a warning!
Is the BLUE ICE Aero Ice Screw Yellow 13 Cm good for long distance?
John Willard recommends it for long efforts: I made the switch to these 2 years ago from Petzl and these are it! The diameter of these screws are huge. Meaning you'll hit your V-threads way easier and you can rebore old screw holes. These are also light. I like the steels because I climb in NH where ice can be wet, cold, or just tough to get the screws in. The ultra-lights will freeze in very wet ice as a warning!
More from John Willard's Ice Climbing
View John Willard's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu
What other hosts are saying
7 experts recommend the BLUE ICE Aero Ice Screw Yellow 13 Cm.
Clara Maynard, AMGA Apprentice Rock/Alpine Guide & Wilderness Medicine Instructor
Best ice screw on the market in my opinion. Lighter than the Petzl ultralight screws!
Recommended in Ice Climbing
Jarrod Blundy, Founder/Guide at Onward Mountain Guides
By far, the best ice screws on the market.
Recommended in Ice Climbing Kit
Michael Murphy, Rock Climbing Instructor and Business Owner
These have a larger diameter than any other screw which makes them ideal for well traveled routes. They're also light and easy to operate which I really enjoy.
Recommended in Ice Climbing
Joe Kalis, Oncology Pharmacist / Aspiring Guide
The cadillac of ice screws. Steel construction, lightweight, durable, and even aesthetically pleasing. Places super fast, large diameter allows me to re-use existing screw holes due to necessity or when I'm feeling spicy.
Recommended in Ice Climbing
Brent Smith, AMGA Rock Guide and Apprentice Alpine Guide
The Aero Ice Screw is the lightest and smoothest full steel screw on the market. The slightly larger diameter allows you to easily re-bore used screw holes if you need. My typical ice rack for leading: 8x 13cm (yellow) 4x 16cm (blue) 1x 21cm (green)
Recommended in Ice Climbing
The best screws out there!
Recommended in Ice Climbing
