Crampons

[~T-BONE~]

After taking a shit kicking sunday in my BT spot im considering trying out some crampons.. IM beat! bloody and bruised plus my tatonka packs frame is bent breaking my fall :evil: and did i mention i hurt lol.. Anyhow im sidehilling on frozen ground with snow and was wondering who uses them and whats there experience. Brands fits etc lets here it!? Caulk boots arent effective enough digging in and i need the ankle support of my hikers.. thanks in advance

[dabber]

I'm not sure if this will help, but you can get your hiking boots caulked. I no that some of the local fallers have caulked Meindl's, and like them.

[~T-BONE~]

I'm not sure if this will help, but you can get your hiking boots caulked. I no that some of the local fallers have caulked Meindl's, and like them.

wish they were enough.. but im sure i need that extra bite... thank u

[Orangethunder]

Triconis on the instep and outer edge help. I used extra long caulks this time of year too which made a big difference.

[Paulyman]

I use Grivels from MEC, helps alot in icy conditions. Mind you anywhere crampons should be needed, so should an ice axe.

[~T-BONE~]

R they clumsy to wear? And obviously will only wear where needed.. How bout fitting? Igot a wide sz 15....

[Gateholio]

Crampons are for ice or snow slopes. Not recommended for rocky terrain. They can be a real pain in non snow!

Might get some info here.

http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/crampons+snow+ice+climbing.html

[Gilmore]

Met a guy wearing these last December on the Fraser. It was frozen hard and he was walking around on the side hill like he had velcro on his feet. Small and light enough to stick in your pack when you don't need them. There on my list.

http://www.shop.vpo.ca/p-151199-crab-6-6-point-instep-crampon.aspx

[Gun Dog]

Canadian Tire has little shoe chains (http://www.shoechain.com/) which are good for some situations (can't find them on the site). Hiking poles are good for snowy slippery treks too.

[Woodpile]

I've used crampons many times climbing peaks around the pacific northwest. They are great if the ground is bullet proof, but when the snow gets soft and or wet it balls up under the crampon and is a pain. Also if you are going from snow to dirt or rock it sucks to walk on. If you are walking on steep hard snow or ice though they are great and once you are confident in their abilty to keep you upright you can go on slopes you never thought you could ever walk on.

[~T-BONE~]

instep crapons i think are the way to go...

[Buck]

Here is a little info from another site

There are 3 basic types of crampons: 4 point instep- light, small, easy to carry, effective, tend to roll and have to be reset regularly; 6 point instep and heel- a little bigger and less compact than the 4 point, they add heel points hich really helps going down hill, less likely to roll so don't need to be re set , I use them the most when climbing in the warmer times, less likely to tear your pant legs; full shoe crampons- spikes from about 3/4" to 2", big and bulky, Maximum gripping, toe spikes really help when climbing up ice, most likely to shread your pant legs, the only thing to have on a glacier.

I started with 4 point crampons on my first goat hunt. I had never tried anything like them, and found I could walk on bare rocks with them without problems. I used them regularly until I got my first 6 point set, and have never used the 4 pointers again. The 6 points are my "go to" system when I think there is wet/slippery ground to wet snow. I then added a set of Kahatoola spikes which are a less aggressive full shoe set and I love them for any frozen condition. I am to old to be slipping and falling. I wear one type of crampons al year long, and I hike even in the worse of weather. I frequently see folks slipping and sliding where I am not having any problems and I share with them the secret of crampons :-)

http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=21071X790189&site=outdoorsdirectory.com&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F774966%2F kahtoola-microspikes-traction-system&xguid=a58732a927e2ee94c59f20becd9a67fc&xcreo=0&sref=http%3A%2F%2Fforums.outdoorsdirectory.com%2Fs howthread.php%2F106320-Full-or-Instep-Crampons

[Singleshotneeded]

Try to avoid killing yourselves before hunting season ends, guys! :-)

[steel_ram]

I've used some slip on Kahoota(sp?) micro-spikes that are a slip on minnie crampons. Yaktracks pro are a little lighter but the same idea. Easy to slip on and off.

[~T-BONE~]

Awesome guys! Appreciate all the feed back...

[valleyHunter]

aluminum caulks work better on rocks as they they are softer and have a better bite.

[.330 Dakota]

Crampons? Is that like a Tampon with teeth? LOL

[MB_Boy]

Hey T-Bone.....I wear them quite often working on ski race courses; again it's "ice" conditions but they sure do their job.

With your size 15 I wouldn't be too concerned as I have them attached to my ski boots which are notably larger and wider than a regular boot.

One thing I would caution.....if hiking with them on make sure your gun isn't loaded; they can be pretty easy to slip up/trip if they get hung up. I have seen newbies wearing them on snow (relatively smooth surface) on the courses and tripping all over themselves for the first couple of days. Once you get used to them they aren't bad at all.....but I can imagine on "uneven" or "rough" terrain you are going to want to watch your steps.

[Fixit]

http://lifeinthemiddle.typepad.co.uk/life_in_the_middle/images/stitched1.jpg
just be careful!

[~T-BONE~]

Crampons? Is that like a Tampon with teeth? LOL

Was waiting for that... Surprised it took so long actually! Lol...

[~T-BONE~]

http://lifeinthemiddle.typepad.co.uk/life_in_the_middle/images/stitched1.jpg
just be careful!

Ouch!! No doubt with my luck that'd b me

[martyonthewater]

I use the ice chains, love them. wife got me them for my stocking last christmas. Picked them up at wholesale I think. They pack easy, QUIET, and are like putting on slippers