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    • How to use crampons reddit.

  • How to use crampons reddit All that being said, crampons and microspikes are often confused in terminology, and if there’s a language barrier even more so. AFAIK, the only ski crampons which work with spark softboot bindings are the spark ski crampons. The picture shows me at the base of the couloir and the map shows our intended path. They hold a crampon just fine, are very warm, and are much more comfortable than any mountaineering boot. Turning optional! Depends on what you need crampons for. Directions from Grivel: “The crampons can be fitted to small boots by using the new Grivel’s system: the locking tang laying under the bar. 100% agree for summer outings, I won’t use my mountaineering boots unless I am on a glacier for a long period of time and need my crampons. Get the Reddit app Scan this QR code to download the app now. My advice would be to crampon into the wall, tie a rope, and just take time to watch a youtube video from time to time. That can be addressed by checking the fit before purchasing the crampons. These do not snap. I'm looking for a semi-auto crampon primarily to use with a pair of La Sportiva Aequilibrium LT boots that I'm getting and am looking at the Petzl Vasak Leverlock and the BD Serac Clip. Has anyone used the Hybrid version? The other two skills - Cramponing & Self-arrest - typically there are several sections on the upper mountain where a fall is pretty bad news. If you can drill an accurate hole, you can add one more size to the narrow end of the wide model. It looks like they are 180 online, so I'm thinking 100 but let me know how that sounds. Depending on the fit of your boots/crampons, toe bails are more likely to pop off. Where are you feeling like you need them? The “B0/B1/B2/B3” system is pretty much obsolete outside of the UK, but it only refers to stiffness and crampon welts, not warmth— “B3” is generally used as shorthand for stiff leather single boots, like LS Nepals, which are definitely warmer than lightweight, flexible “B1/B2” boots like LS Trangos or Scarpa Charmoz, but not +1 for a Hillsound Trail Crampons. I drilled/screwed some cutting board pieces into the crampon. ) I also really like the Vasque snowburbans. There has to be something in the middle for people who need a professional instrument for college auditions or orchestra/band auditions, but which doesn't cost as much. After that, crampons may not be necessary, probably for the rest of your climb. All crampons are different. Just make sure the width is correct for your board. Microspikes and crampons serve different styles of winter hiking. Not a serious safety issue, just less ideal. The only time I’ve needed to do something like this (put a riser on my crampon), is when I had a pair of dynafit beast bindings. For winter I use the Batura, a single synthetic boot that is similar to the Nepal. How long can crampons last? According to Black Diamond, the lifespans of crampons are: Sporadic use with a seasonal concentration: 5 to 10 years. de. Biggest thing is make sure you transition at the right time from skinning to ski crampons and from ski crampons to boot crampons. Microspikes are better than studs and other traction devices. Sometimes i put also a 0,5L water bottle sanwiched between the ski crampons so I can also have a easy reach drink The two parts of your feet that cold most affects are the toes and the soles. Hillsounds are aggressive and great, but they still aren’t crampons. Places like the northern presidentials are where i;ve used them the most. It shows the weather by elevation. Snowshoes are much more common. If you’re just interested in doing the winter 48 by the easiest routes, you probably don’t need them, but there is some debate on that. All-road, crossover, gravel, monster-cross, road-plus, supple tires, steel frames, vintage bikes, hybrids, commuting, bike touring, bikepacking, fatbiking, single-speeds, fixies, Frankenbikes with ragbag parts and specs, etc. After that, I hope to climb Shasta, Mountaineers Route on Whitney and do some other general mountaineering in them. I advised him that the boots are not adequate but the crampons are. In fact, if you're going to be largely on snow without a lot of rock, you could consider a full aluminum crampon. I use Sarkens for technical routes and ice climbing. This sub is for tool enthusiasts worldwide to talk about tools, professionals and hobbyists alike. The Skeets website describes this pretty well. All summits except the last must be completed in a single sitting. Ice climbing in semi-auto crampons is totally doable. For more precision, you’d need a crampon with a flexible (spring or cord) style link bar for a true snug fit. Great with crampons for glaciers just check the fit, can’t speak much to their performance on super technical routes, though. Made them super hard to use. Trail traction devices like 'microspikes' are better for hiking. They will never fit properly. That means knowing how to recognize the difference between fully auto, semi-auto, and strap-on crampons and also knowing which ones your boots are compatible with. He won't be using them barefoot so he'll have to get new boots. Personally, I would recommend buying them if using them on terrain. I can't speak to the Kahtoola, but I have used the same pair of Grivel walking crampons for 25 years. Black Diamond also makes fully aluminum crampons, but they are connected with a steel plate, which adds to the weight (550g+). Since crampons are burlier than microspikes, they’re best for steeper, icier terrain like glacier hiking and even vertical ice climbing. If I wanted to save cash, then I wouldn't buy crampons but use an axe. I will occasionally use the first riser for the same reason you've stated (angle ankle), but almost never the highest position. Most people I see are starting out on R13s (often used ones), or similarly priced Yamahas. Don't let Rainier be the first time you are spending hours on end on crampons. Apr 11, 2023 · How to Use Ski Crampons The most important factor is knowing when you’ll need ski crampons in advance, and making sure they are handy enough so you don’t have to take off your pack to retrieve them. Don’t waste your time with strap on crampons for mountaineering. Caterpillar provided some good info. For typical Rainier or Shasta route I use Petzl Irvis because they lighter and don't have such aggressive frontpoints which tend to rip your pants or gaiters. Crampons are generally used for climbing, not hiking. Microspikes or Yaktrax would be fine though. They are totally inappropriate for winter use unless you live in a rather warm area. Used them for my trek up Kilimanjaro in July and they were fantastic, comfortable and my feet did not suffer in the slightest. If you really want to use crampons I'd wait a few weeks. Feb 25, 2016 · How to fit crampons. Here I am going to show you how to fit a standard B2-C2 crampon correctly. Trudging up and down steep, compact or icy snow doesn't necessitate that level of stiffness or attachment, which is primarily beneficial when front-pointing. /r/Spokane protests in solidarity with our fellow Redditors who have . It has a lever on the heel that will snap onto your boot for a snug secure fit. As you can see in the map section, the steepest bit in our path was between 40-45 degrees for around 20-30 vertical meters. There are also micro-spikes, which are a bit more aggressive than yak-tracks. If your ski crampons are much wider than 90mm, expect steep sidehilling to be irritating and possibly put too much torque on crampon mounts of your binding. While you can use both for winter hiking, you can only use crampons for mountaineering. Since these boots flex, is it correct to use these Grivel crampons the way they are, without the little bolts in the holes, or should I put the bolts in, making the crampons mostly rigid? (I have highlighted the holes on one of the pictures, indicating where the bolts would go) Depends on where you're going, but snow shoes, crampons, and yaktrax-like devices all have their place. We believe unilaterally prohibiting their participation on Reddit is Totes Not Cool™️. The sport where you strap two boards to your feet and point them down the mountain. If you have to ask if you need them, you don’t have the right boots for them nor will you know how to actually walk and use them correctly. com Aug 13, 2020 · Explore the world of icy traction with BACKPACKER Gear Editor Eli Bernstein as he breaks down the difference between different styles of crampons and where y Jan 10, 2025 · Learn when to use crampons, how to put them on, and how to walk in them with our expert guide. Those 2 will give you the basic you need and help acclimating to altitude. Wearing a gaiter does tend to make the lower leg ankle area feel more buffered from weather so it can help in that regard but I don't think you'll get enough carryover benefit in your toes or soles to feel any difference in those areas. Doing a bit of research though and I'm seeing a LOT of options and configurations. Even when using crampons, it is usually only for segments of hikes versus the whole hike. Just be SURE as others warn, do NOT use crampons when you are glissading. The front spike is typically used by driving it into ice. However, shutting down the game will start you from the cabin again unfortunately. I used crampons two or three times last winter. Stepping up to the heavier "normal" trango is great for summer. A crampon is a specialized tool used for climbing steep snow/ice with actual spikes sticking out. But for steep snow that I'm kicking into I want boots. The down feels a little different as the boot is obviously stiffer, but I don’t feel like it detracts from the ride. Put your crampons on while hike. Thanks in advance :) Regular crampons are designed for walking on flat or moderately steep ice. They work fine with my Lone Peaks. It's been years (moved out west) but I used to boot pack up tuckermans without crampons when I was younger, long before the sun would melt it up. I've used my pair of Black Diamond universal strap crampons on dirt before. Make sure you have trekking poles with the right tips and baskets for snow and ice. Lassen next month, which will be my first time using crampons and will be an introductory climb for me, learning crampon use, self-arrest, etc. But still not required for safety. Weather was good and mild. I wore the new Roclite model from Inov8, I tried if the crampons fit at home. I've climbed Hood a bunch of times on the normal routes, with both 10 and 12 point crampons and didn't really notice a difference. He is putting crampons on a non rigid hiking boot that is not made for it. Compared to the weight of real crampons (and the required hard-shell mountaineering boots to use them), microspikes are very lightweight. Crampons are for mountaineering and ice climbing. But by working i meant that you cant' use them as crampons, and just carry their weight pointlessly. There was a day where things were very cold and very hard ice; I was way more well prepared using universal crampons for hiking over everyone using Hillsounds. Gaiters don't give coverage in either area. But the question is will they hold and can that setup be trusted? If your boot setup fails, you can lose your crampons In dangerous icy situations with no traction or you can twist your foot. But when doing any ropes climbing on Huntington Ravine or the such, I will definitely opt for a mountaineering boot. For non-critical travel you shouldn’t run into issues. Here is a great weather resource for Mt Adams. If you aren't going up very steep terrain, with ice axes, then I'd recommend against true crampons. Then the skins stick fine, and I’m ready to rip at the top once they are off 1. I use ski crampons way less with hard boots (better edge with stiffer boot) and they are much more solid with boot crampons. A normal hiking boot has a flexible sole/shank and will pop out of most c2/c3 crampons under tension or stress that causes flex. Your boot has a heel welt, use it. Strap on crampons will fit the boot. I’d like a pair of boots I can use with strap on crampons to reduce exertion on steep snow or icy sections. Strap on Petzl cordtec crampons work great on approach shoes and hiking boots. See full list on rei. I have a pair from Millsound and they work awesome, and can be taken off very easily if the ground becomes less slippery. I’ve gotten all my safety gear, took my Avery 1 course and venture to some low angle glade areas. Good boots would be priority #1 new if you must. However, others here say you may need them all the way to the summit. I see you are in France. There are furthermore a couple of specialized crampons (light crampons for tours without rock, snow crampons etc). Third, considering points one and two, using those crampons with your boots is fundamentally unsafe. If tbr snow is consolidated and firm, or worse, icy, it's microspikes. Good answers here! Remember that most of the time you won't be using them and crampons are heavier, bulkier and more awkward to pack and travel with. It worked ok. • It works perfectly well to use strap-on crampon bindings with any kind of boot, even if the boot has toe/heel bales for auto or semi-auto bindings, if the crampon is correctly sized and installed. Brakes failed twice, heel riser would travel back about a cm when using any heel risers. Come with Osprey crampon protecting case Ski crampons do not penetrate hard ice very well and will likely get damaged if you try to use them on hard ice. Not exactly an all-round crampon but at the end of the day it's insanely light while still having steel front points so it's an instant favourite in the "light is right" crowd. The ultralights are fine to negotiate 20 meters of windblown snow that is too hard to bootpack. I don’t do glacier travel or the such but have done some steep New England trails (such as Greeley Ponds up East Osceola which is renown for ice problems) when they were covered in thick ice with the Hillsounds and they did the job nicely. Mountaineering crampons need mountaineering boots if your objective and terrain is that challenging. For day hiking in winter I use non insulated waterproof boots. I went looking for something more aggressive but wanted to stop short of full blown mountaineering/ice climbing crampons. The only time you use crampons is on the morning at the lunch counter, when you head for the summit. I saw multiple people with Grivel 10/12's yesterday, but it looks like these require full on no-flex/mountaineering boots that cost $350-$1000 which did look like what they were using. It works fine if you have footwear that can handle going up steep slopes in crampons. In North America, we use BRS strap ons all the time and there is no incident report of them causing injury. They make a flexible boot stiff, but definitely can't be used for vertical climbing. There's a higher likelihood of using them for above treeline stuff but even then I'd say spikes will serve you well more often than not. If you go Old Army, watch out for cornices that look solid (hint, they are not). Aka kicking with all your strength into firn, moving on ice, and stoming glacier. After summiting, the crampons come off and stay off. That calls for steep, firm snow. Although more winter oriented boots to tend to more often be B3 (fully automatic crampons compatible), if possible for summer alone B2 boots are lighter, and easier to move in than the typical B3. If you want to save money: buy used. Remove the bar, turn it 180 degrees, and replace it on the other crampon (in order to maintain crampon both right and left). Crampons would be like using a sledge hammer to tap in a nail. If it's loose snow, skis. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. I did Madison and Adams on Thursday and we bare-booted the entire hike. Neither of us have used boot crampons or ice axes before, and we had neither with us. They have shorter spikes than real crampons (which makes them more versatile and easier to use, plus they work with regular trail shoes or boots). 2. My girlfriend wants to get… Snow is more reassuring because the crampons can give me a bite and the ice axe can give me a belay or self arrest. A couple people suggested crampons and I had the same thoughts as you. Boots used: dynafit mercurys, la sportiva spitfires, la sportiva synchors, technica zero g, atomic backland ultimate, fischer traverse cc. Read the article above to learn when to wear each traction device. When I need more than micro spikes, but don’t want to wear a shanked boot, I will use my Kahtoola KTS crampons. I've been using Hillsound Trail Crampons (larger spikes than Microspikes) for several years. This is an adventure-biking sub dedicated to the vast world that exists between ultralight road racing and technical singletrack. I think it’s only a UK thing, but we have a crampon rating system so you know what boots fit with what crampons. Sometimes I pack mine, sometimes I don't. If you are on a slope like that, you need real crampons and preferably an ice axe that you know how to use. Don’t say this to a mountaineer! In mountaineering terms, these are “microspikes”. In the crafting menu you can toggle down and craft for longer periods of time, just watch your fatigue/water/food levels. are all fair game here. I'm not wanting a lecture about how this is not as good on ice etc. "If you areclose to a size 9 (I’d say max size 10) you should be able to use a Grivel air tech or air tech light crampon. Had a great time using microspikes on May 12 last year. There are pleanty of times you can have micros on and just use trekking poles. I've used them on many trips around the world. We both had our ski crampons mounted. - Vertical front points (technical crampons) suck in neve, soft ice etc. Idk, we've been here 10 days now and used our crampons once, during a glacier hike on Katla. As per crampons I love Petzl, I've never had others. They’re rated for crampons because the sole is stiff enough to use crampons safely. Heck even putting them on is kinda complicated! You can hurt yourself without practice or using them on the wrong terrain. Sometimes felt a little sketchy, and sometimes in hindsight crampons would have been nice. The combination of your hiking boot with crampons would leave you with a narrow acceptable range of use where a flexible crampon could be used safely. We have stayed in Reykjavik, Vik and Skaftafell. Most folks do and it makes a delightful climb. We hiked around Skogafoss and 2 other waterfalls and didn't need them. Crampons are really heavy, and the 12 point ones are even heavier. If you’re going up a route that actually needs crampons, you should use boots that can actually accommodate crampons. I'm finally on the market for crampons and the G12 seems popular for general mountaineering. Fully automatic crampons have a lever in front and in back and aren’t compatible with this boot because you need heel and toe welts for that style crampon. As such, b2/b3 boots have a stiff shank that makes them very useful for steep terrain, but horrible for walking. Even if you’re on a flat tourist glacier, you don’t need crampons. I use petzl lynx with mine, totally satisfied. It sounds like to me this person will get a real mountain boot and fully autos if or when continuing in the sport. The order of necessity for these is microspikes, then axe, then crampons. 1. These are yak-tracks, which are essentially chains for your feet. I have hot feet and have done a lot of crampon work in uninsulated mountaineering boots, and been comfortable down to sub zero temperatures with a good sock system. When using a rigid pair of crampons, you will also need a pair of boots with stiff soles. Also are ski crampons enough or would boot crampons be a better option. I have compiled some information from our hard goods team regarding crampons fit for our Tourist boot. Flats/no risers worked perfect. They did keep my feet warm, even when stopped. Use both skin and crampon. Dec 23, 2024 · Yes and no, it depends on what you are hiking or climbing. Look for snowshoes with a riser bar (easier on the calves). If you have dynafit-style crampon attachments and multiple skis you want to use with crampons, I highly recommend the Kreuzspitse adjustable crampons, available thru Skimo Co in the states. I have a BD Sabretooth Pro already and I do like it a lot. You can even use a rope just to be sure. For general day to day use, I’ll take your word that Canadians call these crampons though. Skip to main content. They work on flexible boots and mountaineering boots just the same. Book well in advance. Or check it out in the app stores Although the fact that the crampons can get wet and freeze is It cost me 114€ with express shipping from Amazon. Yeah definitely not. The combination of usable terrain and light weight is unmatched. I would recommend if you can, get some ice ax arrest practice. Use or crampons would also come with the need for an ice axe, as well as self arrest skills. I use my microspikes if it’s icy and even those are a little extra. Well, that's your opinion, im sure you felt more secure with crampons over spikes. In general, you should not worry about your crampons being too sharp, as this problem usually solves itself within a couple of hours of using them. Maps, logistics, weather and planning ideas in… Sweet! I can send you a PM with pictures when I get home on Tuesday. The sarken is kind of a hybrid crampons and may be a good choice, I think they would be killer. I am considering doing the 3 peaks Snowdon, Scafell pike and Ben Nevis at the end of December, I have already climbed the first 2 and Scafell pike I climbed in the snow in just hiking boots and I have climbed various other places in the peaks and lakes so I'm not too concerned about both of them but Ben Nevis I hear I will need crampons and and ice axe, how hard would it be to climb all 3 in For the crampon question, you're going to want a pretty stiff-soled trail runner for real crampons otherwise it's going to feel unstable. But, it says ski crampons bite into the snow less when risers are up. The function of the regulation spring is to hold the front section in place”. I'm actually using the nanotech ultralight steel crampons now that are even more pared down, and they worked quite well for both Hood and Rainier. Carpenters have traditionally made a roll-up pouch like this for sharp tools using a scrap of canvas. Have used them ever since as my go to hiking boot, average 50 miles a week in the Brecon Beacons with only minimal wear and tear. Both models can use the same interchangeable modular bindings or strap-on, semi-auto, or auto mode. I used them on the trail in 2017 in some places, along with my BD Whippet. Micro spikes are for occasionally icy spots on a relatively flat trail - think Little Lakes Valley. Also, I agree, buy step in crampons for that boot. Crampons used: Camp nanotechs semi auto, camp tour 350 auto, bd sabretooth auto (needs larger toe bail), petzl irvis hybrid semi and auto, petzl dart semi and auto. So if your tree stand is up in the hills, crampons may be the way to go, especially if you’re carrying a heavy pack or pushing/pulling a game cart. Please see information below, I will paste most of it from his email reply. I used them to climb Triglav (2864m), the highest peak of Slovenia, part of Julian Alps. Using suboptimal heavier boots and crampons for several hundred miles isn’t ideal either and presents its own set of risks/trade offs. Otherwise, if you have waterproof hiking shoes or boots, you can get rubberized slip-on crampons with metal chains/spikes for extra traction in slick mud and clay. Vertical crampons provide less purchase and feel kinda weird. So the crampons are only partially crafted currently and need another 2 hours or so to finish up and be usable. Grivel used to make really nice one, although the elastics would stretch out in a few seasons. There’s definitely a use for universal crampons over Hillsounds for winter boots depending on conditions. Dec 28, 2021 · Crampons (Photo: aluxum/E+ via Getty Images) For terrain where microspikes won’t cut it, opt for crampons. There are also crampons with levers on the front (fully automatic like the grivel g14). The website will say which bindings the crampons are compatible with. I won’t be using this shoe/crampon coupling for anything more technical, and will use snow shoes for deeper snow. That said Plan on spending the night at the lunch counter (half way up). I bought a pair last Spring to replace a range of other boots. Also, they're more expensive as one time investment, though maybe you can rent them from REI or a trek outfitter. Frequent, professional use on new routes and ice falls: 3 to 6 seasons. Regular use throughout the year on difficult routes and some ice falls: 3 to 5 years. r/PeaksOfYore: Welcome Peakbaggers! Feel right at home at our base camp and pull up a pickaxe. I want a light pair and after some research, I am in between HARFANG ENDURO and HARFANG Hybrid. We welcome posts about "new tool day", estate sale/car boot sale finds, "what is this" tool, advice about the best tool for a job, homemade tools, 3D printed accessories, toolbox/shop tours. Open menu Open navigation Go to Reddit Home. Route du Goute doesn't involve climbing (ice/rock), but using crampons. If anyone wants mine for parts- toes are perfect, crampons never used, nib brakes, stomp pads, 2x heel towers that might be good for backups let me know. Just realize that once the snow gets steep and/or firm it is quite a limiting set up. Early season, unfilled ice, rotten ice, snice = Dual points Bullet hard ice, delicate ice curtain, columns, mixed, dry-tooling = Mono pont I've got a pair of Grivel G20 and G22 depending on conditions, don't bother changing crampons from dual to mono, you'll never do it, get two pairs (start with duals). Hiking to the Steeps Oct 11, 2021 · Barebooting without crampons can save energy for later. For anything not requiring crampons, my 200g boots work all winter from below zero up to snow slogging at 40f. I never advised him on using those crampons on those boots. However I'm not sure if I should get the crampomatic or new matic? For what it's worth, both of my pairs of boots I plan to use it on have toe welts (La Sportiva Nepal EVO and these Dynafit skimo boots) My question mostly boils down to That means the boot can use semi automatic crampons which I believe are crampons that have a strap in front and a lever in the back. I think Snowboarders benefit from crampons in the Spring more than Skiiers - the stiff ski boot soles kick better and support on shorter steps better. Use this for planning your climb. Make the move to boot crampons BEFORE you need to :) They will be used on Mt. I loved the concept but the durability is terrible. r/Spliddit A chip A chip Awesome for summers - have used them lots in BC for hikes, scrambles, and low 5th class climbing. I swear by them. I was lucky that it was warm, but unlucky that it snowed and I had to use crampons. The Trail Crampons’ spikes are 50% longer and the velcro strap makes them much more reliable. There are many types of crampons ranging from ones that can be used with any boot or shoe like Kahtoola KTS Crampons or Hillsound Trail Crampon Pros to ones that can only be used with very rigid mountaineering boots like the Cassein’s Blade Runner Crampons or Grivel G22 Crampons which are intended for ice climbing. And the tour company had crampons if we didn't bring our own. There isn't a situation where you would have your axe out but not at least your microspikes on. Oct 11, 2016 · The decision on what to take on the day would be made on the day, but I'd have crampons (c1 will work fine on your boots, fit them in the back garden and walk about, cheap but good ones available from decathlon,) and axe in the car. After I wax, I scrape then brush them out with a nylon bristle brush like a silly racer. How wide is too wide is dependent on the person, crampon mount, and snow These aren't crampons. I've done a couple technical alpine rock climbs (low 5th class) in trail runners and had no issues. I don't normally use reddit for outdoors stuff, but my usual buddy moved away to bigger mountains. 26K subscribers in the OutdoorScotland community. For winter backpacking I used insulated pac boots. I mean that you cant' use them as crampons are used, typically. I've even climbed a lot of ice on them but now have lynx's for that. I haven't used steel crampons for general mountaineering for several years To point out - your putting a fully rigid crampon on a pretty (relative to mountaineering boots) flexible curved boot, hence the big gap at the toe. And before you use crampons in the steeps you need to familiarize yourself with self arrest techniques and carry an ice axe. For many Redditors with disabilities, 3rd party apps are the only way Reddit can be functionally accessed. Crampons. It’s a mon-ideal solution. Step-in/ rigid crampons: These are the stiffest and heaviest type of crampons. The ideal use case for them is a ski mountaineering objective that 99% of the time is pure snow but it's good to have some insurance just in case to get you past a very short dangerous section. But what you show are not real crampons, so query whether something that describes itself that way is reliable. r/Mountaineering • I took this after watching a guy lower his buddy off the Grand Teton by standing next to this horn and letting the rope run around the back of it from his ATC. I also hike in the White Mountains of NH and I’ve found the Microspikes to wear out faster and be more prone to slipping off. This is because most hiking boots are meant to be a lot less stiff (to be more comfortable) and your boot can bend and pop out of crampons when there’s a lot of stress on them (read: steep, icy terrain when you really need crampons). If you think you need them, find someone to teach you how to use them. In general, the best time to use trail crampons is when you plan to be in steep, hilly terrain or when faced with tremendous amounts of ice along the trail. Guide companies unload tons of gear the end of every summer. I vote to keep the Hokas/microspikes combo until you reach the Sierras and reevaluate once you have better beta at that time. But in a sense, I was also lucky that I was forced to learn how to tie the crampons on. This probably hasn't helped because I do not have good balance on rock and routinely fall. I would go with the Hybrid version because it's lighter, but I don't really want the aluminum in the back to wear out. I wouldn’t recommend using crampons with anything less than stiff mountaineering boots. (Haven't used crampons with them but they also should work fine. They are rated C3. Ditch those crampons and get something like this: G12 semi auto crampon. They’re definitely more waterproof than other GTX boots i’ve used, and have a relatively high water line. I have used petzl leopards on approach shoes to cross many glaciers and steep snow up to 50 degrees. For every run I start on the old grove skelf for the crampons then do all the levels afterwards using the next peak option until wuthering crest then I went back and did the easy ones (mainly because crampons let you skip 90% of the lighthouse and I died on that of all things once). Lots of people but stuff to only use for a season or two. Making sure my crampons bite is just another reason I tend to not use lifters on sketchy climbs. I had brought crampons on that trip but didn't get a chance to use them. It's hard to actually recommend them with all the options available today. Adjust the length of the crampon on the centre bar. That said, once you on something that is steep, you are going to want to use crampons or plates because the rim of your snowshoe will prevent it from effectively gripping the snow. Grivel G12s can climb 95% of stuff out there. Crampons provide exceptional grip in snow and ice, but when should you put them on and what’s the best way to use them? Mountaineering instructor Rob Johnson walks us through it. They were fun projects, but it's better to use a product you can trust when your safety relies upon sure footing. I have used these to hike Mt Crawford, Kearsarge North, and recently the decent of Welch/Dickey with La Sportiva Nucleo boots (class B1 from what I understand). I would recommend clip on crampons. This is true with ski crampons on skis (the sole of the boot stops the crampon from hinging up when risers are up, it doesn't hold it down against the ski), but the way my Spark riser bars work, it's not true for (my) splitboard I am using Blue Ice Harfang crampons for reference - I do own Scarpa Ribelle Tech's + Steel Crampons for actual mountaineering, this is a different use case. You don't need anything beyond the simplest style of crampons for basic Shasta routes so no need to worry about the number of points or front point style. That said, I've brought many people out for day hikes or overnights with just their regular 3 season boots, microspikes, and thick wool socks. You should only have to do the first two steps once. It is a long climb, moving in crampons should be second nature. If OP is talking about winter hiking, this would make more sense since you want some insulation and will need traction devices for a longer part of the day. Aconcagua was just a stepping stone in my slow-progression of becoming a better mountaineer. If you think you need just micro spikes NO put on your Crampons please The most well-known peaks require balaclava, ski goggles and crampons with high winds and cold winters being the norm, so spending time up there is definitely mountaineering, but I don’t think I’d consider the scores of hikers that poke their heads up above tree-line for a few minutes or hours to be mountaineers. They can’t go flat enough to have the full crampon in the snow. These rigid traction devices strap onto boots and use aggressive metal points to bite into ice. If conditions really merit crampons, I'm probably not going to be out. The last thing you want is to be in the middle of a steep, firm slope trying to figure out how to get out of the situation. Strap-on crampons on normal hiking boots work okay if you are on level or mild incline snow and ice, but if things are getting steep at all, you need a proper crampon-rated boot, even for just strap-ons. Heavy, and only crampons with straps will fit. Spikes will generally be enough but research/recon/situation may warrant crampons on occasion. They’re great. Reddit’s proposed changes make the site inaccessible to these users. Do microspikes work for ice? Ski crampons you should use to help you with your regular skinning approach; if you march straight up the hill your crampons will hold you fine until they don't, and then you're immediately hurtling down the hill and praying your self-arrest skills are on-point (spoiler alert: they're not, unless you practice). That's where R13s come in (around $4,000 retail or $1,000 used). Bring an ice axe either way, chuck both your spikes and crampons into your car, and check WTA for trip reports as your date approaches. Horizontal front points often pierce ice less well. The tech was a big disappointment to me. They fit my fully rigid boots very well and I like that they're low maintenance. Links and discussion on the great Scottish Outdoors. Conclusion is that unless you’re using a mountaineering boot, the use of crampons on a regular boot is a risky decision that only increases with severity of harm as you approach the upper end This was my first season entering the backcountry. Crampons should only be used on ice or snow. B2 semi-automatic crampons are more than enough for most alpine use, combined with the fact that most crampons are not fully rigid anyhow. If you've got an axe you'll be able to self arrest if you slip. Going up a steep slope in universal crampons even with a stiff hiking boot is a lesson in pain, unless only used for short distances. Using crampons for non climbing on anything but even light mountaineering boots can be dangerous and is usually overkill. The lever won’t work without that heel welt. Hi! I was looking into getting a new pair of crampons for ski touring and mountaineering. We used to fight back at guide camp as to who got to use them for the day. I know this already. Do you live in CO? There's good opportunities for affordable instruction if you are local, to learn proper technique for using an ice axe and crampons, even putting them on correctly and making sure you have proper footwear. That really depends on whether you tend to have hot or cold feet. I settled on the K10 "hiking crampons". I’ve tried using non-mountaineering boots and crampons in a place where I really needed mountaineering boots and it was really dumb. 4M subscribers in the skiing community. Using the wrong combination of boot and crampon is all on the user, not either of us. I’m wondering how important crampons are in this area. I disagree with most of the comments here. If you haven't used crampons before, there's more of a learning/safety curve (avoiding lacerating yourself etc!). I love petzl crampons, I've seen g12s snap in half and BDs have heel clip problems. Although sometimes spring ski touring is like that And since we were talking about using crampons, I figured we were talking about side slipping. The crampon will break OR will come off your boot. Personally, if you want to use yak trax, I'd use one of their more outdoor-oriented models like the XTR, or go to Microspikes, which are what you called "actual crampons" in your post. It had been two or three seasons since i used them previously. Learning how to use crampons correctly take time and requires practice. I've learned my lesson and will be carry crampons going forwards. I'd go into a store that sells mountain footwear and ask what works with YOUR footwear. Left the crampons and snowshoes at home. If the snow is consolidated and soft (late spring and summer) I don't use anything. I always prefer to use full auto where I can, but I like having a spare basket on bigger trips where either of the above failures can occur. Still worth getting proper mountain Second, those are semiautomatic crampons and are designed to mount to a heel welt your boot lacks. I need a new hiking/approach boot and would like to choose a boot that is compatible with strap on crampons. This way I can reach them fast, they dont make any noise and the chalk bag protects me and my jacket against cuts or othe damages. If you fall on rock, there's nothing to stop you other than the bottom. Kinda an exaduration, but it’s like a paddle vs a stick in water. Some models can only be used with certain types of boots that have a firm enough sole. I simply use a climbing chalk bag attached to the side of my backpack, close to the belt. You can take ice school in Chamonix to learn about using crampons and ice axe, you can also do vallée blanche across aiguille du midi and Italy. Line the boot up with the crampon to get an idea of whether the crampon is too big or too small. For the crampons, I am undecided on these (using petzl but can be similar of another brand) Vasak Sarken Lynx I would use them on easier stuff, but might eventually try steeper terrain - though very unlikely ice climbing for a few years, and if I reach that point, I can buy more technical crampons (assuming you don't recommend the lynx) Crampons and an ice axe are also absolutely useless if you don’t know how to use them. I'm selling them because I am primarily a skier and have found myself just using ski crampons for my needs. Otherwise, I'd bet that there's some ice just below Avalon on the way to Field that always loves crampons. Crampons fit to your boot more like a ski binding and have huge spikes, they're usually used more for glacier travel. They are technical crampons, can be used for ice climbing too, so they are a bit of an overkill (price wise) if used only for general mountaineering. It was a great learning experience. Not a huge game changer if your priority is ice. Basically the title. I have the Trail Crampon Pros and use them way more than my Black Diamond real crampons. beyt whtyu mpdk fgzhoqz yvfc bzwfk trfnwo iiikf yhuwg iichd