[pct-l] Lightweighting microspikes?

[Bill Burge]

Cool.

Has anyone used Microspikes, lightweight crampons, or other traction devices to assist in MUD?

God I hate mud!  Coming down a trail in Big Bear, it was like being on ice skates with a full pack...

I was considering, with steel spiked Microspikes, to get them out and put them on. 

Bill Burge
bill at burge.com



On Mar 21, 2012, at 4:44 PM, <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:

> Hey, Bill!
> 
> We have them and have used them, but we do not find them truly necessary in spring conditions where snow will stick to your KTSs and build up like a football under your feet. We usually go without them and simply kick the snow off now and again.
> 
> 
> 
> "Just remember, Be Careful out there!"
> 
> Ned Tibbits, Director
> Mountain Education
> South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
>   P: 888-996-8333
>   F: 530-541-1456
>   C: 530-721-1551
>   http://www.mountaineducation.org
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Burge" <bill at burge.com>
> To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 9:59 AM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Lightweighting microspikes?
> 
> 
>> 
>> How about the Kahtoola Snow Release Skins?
>> 
>> Do they seem necessary?
>> 
>> Bill Burge
>> bill at burge.com
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Mar 20, 2012, at 10:39 PM, <ned at mountaineducation.org> <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:
>> 
>>> I know that I'm coming into this thread late (been out in the snow, now that
>>> it is finally here in Tahoe) but we have tested the Kahtoola Microspikes a
>>> lot during the months of May, June, and July in the high sierra and have a
>>> thing or two to add:
>>> 
>>> I won't use them again on any slope other than straight up or down. When on
>>> a sloping traverse, they simply roll off your footwear (especially off the
>>> ball of your foot, just where you need the traction) and down you go. We
>>> tried microspikes on various types of shoes ranging from trailrunners to
>>> leather boots and had this predictable result.
>>> 
>>> However, the Kahtoola KTS crampons design and strapping system proved highly
>>> reliable, built our confidence with every foot placement on snow, crust, or
>>> ice, and kept us safe, whether on steep traverses, suncups, ascents, or
>>> descents. Whenever we know that we will be on spring snow for any length of
>>> time or distance where we might slip and fall, we always carry ours! The
>>> weight is worth the security!
>>> 
>>> And, yes, you will be strong enough by the time you hit the sierras at
>>> Kennedy that the added gear will not be a big deal!
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> "Just remember, Be Careful out there!"
>>> 
>>> Ned Tibbits, Director
>>> Mountain Education
>>> South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
>>>   P: 888-996-8333
>>>   F: 530-541-1456
>>>   C: 530-721-1551
>>>   http://www.mountaineducation.org
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eric Munsing" <eric.munsing at gmail.com>
>>> To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
>>> Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 8:40 AM
>>> Subject: [pct-l] Lightweighting microspikes?
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> As I tally up the weight of my pack I cringe at the weight of the extra
>>>> sierran gear, and particularly my microspikes.  Much of their weight (17oz
>>>> with bag for size L) seems to be in the rubber attachment system- which
>>>> seems like bulky and overbuilt.  I'm curious whether anyone has tried
>>>> replacing the rubber part with a cord lacing system or otherwise
>>>> lightweighting the microspikes.  Also, any experience thru-hiking with
>>>> other, lighter traction systems, i.e. instep crampons or yaktrax?
>>>> 
>>>> I ask as an avid backcountry skier and mountaineer with a high degree of
>>>> comfort with steep snow climbs, self-rescue, and exposure; I recognize
>>>> that
>>>> the microspikes are a safety system but would feel comfortable with a less
>>>> robust, lighter system.  That being said, most of my experience with snow
>>>> has been while wearing ski/mountaineering boots, so I'm new to the world
>>>> of
>>>> hiking-compatible traction systems- hence the question for the list.
>>>> 
>>>> When all is said and done, by the time I hit the Sierras I'll hopefully be
>>>> in good enough shape that I won't notice the extra weight...
>>>> 
>>>> -- 
>>>> Eric Munsing
>>>> +1 781 492 0614
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